Broadway Limited's SD 40-2

[Bruce LA]

I'm thinking of getting a couple of the Broadway Limited's SD 40-2. Anyone have an opinion on these locomotives as far as quality of build and DCC operation?

Bruce LA

[ChadLRyan]

Hey Bruce,

I have one of the BHP versions, I used to make a DM&E one out of.
I Added:
Top of Cab Grab Iron
Firecracker Antenna
Replaced;
Coupler Lift Bars/Pin Lifters, with Railflyer ones
Front & Rear Couplers, Kaydee's different #'s
Painted;
Dynamic & Intake Grilles with wash
Silvered the Wind Defelectors
Dusted Pilots, Underframe, Tank, & a touch on the Sill & Body
Decaled;
Used inkjet home-made Dakota Minnesota & Eastern banner on long hood sides, did not alter number. 

I am not a train Runner yet, but this is the DCC one, first impressions of the sound is; that is is loud, it can make some noise.
The model is heavy, possibly the heaviest SD40-2 I have, but I have not weighed them to compare.
Model Detail Impressions; (hope not to upset anyone), I would class this in the Ath Bluebox area. It is nice, but the detail is a little thick & rounded, grabs are on the thick side, does have the lift rings on the long hood, good attention to many details. The cab has the Wind Deflectors cast into it, I highlighted them silver paint, & put a drop of Future to try to gloss out what would be the glass area.
The Ditchlights are Piped, & a little dim after I weathered it, I don't know if the paint overspray went up in the chassis & cut the light, or if I assembled it with the LED's & Pipes not right on in alignment, a to do.. 

As for running, I do not have a real layout, only about 5 feet of track to test on. It ran well, & was acceptable. I could not speak to running gear noise, as I never muted it, & the sound was loud.

Over All, I think it is an OK model, I do more work on other models, by adding details & custom painting, & at a few feet this one fits, with the changes I made!

I wish I had more info that was appropriate to your questions, but I offer what I can.

Thanks,

 

[tallcapt]

Bruce,

I have had 3 BLI locos, 2 of them SD40-2s. They used to make a line of locos called Blueline, which were nice DCC ready, sound equipped locomotives at an attractive price. They were heavy and therefore pulled well, but their detail was a bit lacking and the sound was so-so. Theyre newer line, Paragon2, is of very high quality--right up there with Athearn Genesis, Intermountain, Atlas, and Kato. The drive on every BLI I have ever owned has been super smooth, just like an Atlas or Kato. I currently have only one BLI, a Paragon2 NS SD40-2 High Hood. It is a fabulous locomotive, and the decoder is loaded with functions. My young boys get a laugh out of the farm animal sound functions and the crew radio chatter is fun too. It is a heavy, smooth running, great sounding, trouble free purchase. 5 stars. I have a AC6000CW Paragon2 on order, and look forward to getting it.

Brad