ScaleTrains 32815 Rivet Counter HO Scale EMD SD40-2 Milwaukee Road MILW 159 DCC Sound

In January 1972, Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors would build the first production models of a locomotive design that would prove to be legendary: the SD40-2. The flagship of the “Dash-2” series of 1972, the SD40-2 would build upon the lessons learned from its predecessor, the SD40. While the sixteen-cylinder 645E3 turbocharged prime mover remained the same from its SD40 cousin, the SD40-2 boasted a modular, solid-state electrical system, which featured removable “cards” in place of troublesome relays in its high-voltage cabinet, greatly simplifying electrical troubleshooting and repairs.

Externally, the biggest change was the use of the new HT-C three-axle truck in place of the Flexi-coil C of the SD40. The new truck promised greater adhesion, and was longer than the Flexi-coil C, necessitating an increase of the length of the SD40-2s frame to an overall length of 68’, 10” over the couplers. This also had the effect of giving the SD40-2 its characteristic long walkway “porches” at each end. Other small external improvements, such as longer battery box compartments, rear overhang on the cab roof, and drip rail over the front cab door, added to the list of external differences between it and the SD40.

Domestic production of the SD40-2 continued until July 1984 making it one of EMD’s most popular locomotives of all time. Many remain in service today, both with original owners as well as secondhand operators. Within the last five years, Norfolk Southern and CSX have rebuilt hundreds of SD40-2s to extend their operating life. This will ensure this venerable locomotive’s presence on U.S. rails for decades to come.

The Rivet Counter series SD40-2 is the definitive HO Scale model of EMD’s best-selling diesel locomotive. Our model combines smooth operating performance with unparalleled railroad, road number, and era specific details. Even though the first SD40-2s were first built nearly half a century ago, several continue in service today.

FEATURES

• Era: mid–1980s
• Series 130-170, ex 3000-3040, built 7-8/72, Phase 1a1
• Operating LED Prime PM-8901 Stratolite beacon*
• Operating LED tricolor front and rear flush-mounted class lights with raised gasket**
• Front EMD-style low pilot plow with grab irons and without MU hose doors
• “Tall” stepwells with see-through steps
• Front and rear early small deck extension
• No drop steps
• Rectangle walkway lights, mounted between sandbox clean out doors (non-operating)
• 81” low short hood with ratchet handbrake and angled chain guard
• Bolted battery box doors with narrow louvers
• Early cab sub-base doors with early hinges
• Standard EMD headlight in number board housing
• Dash two cab with bolted side window panels
• No sunshades or sunshade tracks
• Small mirror mounted fore of left side cab window
• All weather window mounted on right cab side
• Forward cab side vent on right side
• Leslie RS-3-LR Horn mounted on number board housing
• “Whip” antenna mounted to center of cab roof
• Early electrical cabinet “zig-zag” seam, further from rear of cab
• Early stand-off ECAFB
• Early inertial air intake grilles without drip rails
• Standard-range dynamic brakes with batten strip
• “Chicken-wire” radiator intake grilles
• See-through standard 48” radiator fan housings with fan blades visible inside
• Curved radiator fan grab iron
• Straight uncoupling levers with loop handles front and rear and two inner and two outer brackets
• Handrail set with solid end rails
• 4-hose MU hose clusters with silver gladhands
• Deck mounted MU receptacle
• Spare knuckle holders on fuel tank near fuel filler
• Notched pilot faces with reinforced lifting holes
• Tall jacking pads with holes (early)
• Forward engineer’s side sidesill notch
• Sill-mount EFCO
• Reward facing handbrake chain mount for HTC trucks
• Side-mounted steel bell behind the cab on the fireman’s side
• Salem air filter (accordion style)
• 3,200-gallon fuel tank with fuel fillers, vertical gauge, round gauge in tank (right side only) and angled breather pipe
• Detailed HT-C trucks with Hyatt bearing caps, early center axle snubbers, sanding lines and brackets, and D-77 traction motor and air duct details
• Speed recorder mounted to first axle left front
• Tru-Color Paint match color: body TCP-111 Milwaukee Orange, TCP-010 Black

Rivet Counter SD40-2 Locomotives Also Feature:

• Fully assembled
• Multiple road numbers
• Printed and LED lighted number boards
• Dimensionally accurate truck centers
• Scale sectioned treadplate detail on the walkways
• Underbody frame rail with separate plumbing and traction motor cables
• Accurate hood door and long hood detail
• Accurately profiled dynamic brake housings
• See-through dynamic brake intakes with resistor grid detail
• Detailed cab interior with separate floor, rear wall, seats, and standard AAR control stand
• Sliding cab windows
• Factory-applied wire grab irons, wire lift rings, windshield wipers, snowplows, horns, coupler cut levers, trainline hoses with silver gladhands, sand hatch covers, and much more
• Semi-scale coupler buffer equipped with ScaleTrains.com durable metal semi-scale E Type knuckle couplers
• Directional LED headlights
• All-wheel drive
• All-wheel electrical pick-up
• Motor with 5-pole skew wound armature
• Dual flywheels
• Printing and lettering legible even under magnification
• Color matched to Tru-Color Paint colors whenever possible
• Operates on Code 70, 83 and 100 rail
• Packaging safely stores model
• Minimum radius: 18”
• Recommended radius: 22”

DCC & sound equipped locomotives also feature:

• ESU LokSound 5 DCC & Sound decoder with “Full Throttle” feature
• Dual cube-type speakers
• EMD 16 Cylinder 645E3 prime mover
• ESU designed “PowerPack” with two super capacitors***
• Operates on both DC and DCC layouts

DC/DCC & sound ready locomotives also feature:

• Operable using a DC power pack
• DCC-ready with 21-pin connector

* These features only function with an ESU DCC decoder installed while operating in DCC

** During DC operation, class lights illuminate in white. Access to other colors and the ability to change colors requires an ESU DCC decoder while operating in DCC

***“PowerPack” feature only compatible with ESU decoders while operating on a DCC layout

NOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown.