Union Pacific ( Ex-DRGW)

After the 1996 merger with SP, UP inherited both former SP and Rio Grande power. While waiting to be repainted or sold off, UP added a simple patch and new road number. Many of these units kept their faded colors for years.

 

UP/DRGW FEATURES:

• 88” nose with no class lights

• Extended range dynamic brakes

• Plated gyralight

• Small EMD front plow

• Small front anticlimber

• Faded colors

• Standard cab

• Exhaust silencer

• Hood-mounted Nathan 3-chime horn

• FWD ditch lights

• 4,000 gallon fuel tank

 

 

Union Pacific (Ex-SP)

After the 1996 merger with SP, UP inherited both former SP and Rio Grande power. While waiting to be repainted or sold off, UP added a simple patch and new road number. Many of these units kept their faded colors for years.

 

UP/SP FEATURES:

• Modified “L” Window cab

• Removed SP light package

• Large EMD front plow

• Front large anticlimber

• Exhaust silencer

• Faded colors

• 88” nose with no class lights

• Hood-mounted Nathan 3-chime horn

• FWD ditch lights

• Extended range dynamic brakes

• 4,500 gallon fuel tank

 

 

Burlington Northern

Without a doubt, BN was very happy with the EMD SD40-2. The reliability and ease of maintenance made these locomotives a company favorite. BN’s operating territory in the mountainous Pacific Northwest included routes with tunnels, including the 7.80-mile-long Cascade Tunnel. Consequently, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched for BN to have possibly ordered SD40T-2’s to work this territory. In an alternate timeline, BN tested SP’s SD45T-2’s and SD40T-2’s, liked the results and ordered 20-units for use on former Great Northern and Northern Pacific trackage. We think that these Tunnel Motors look great in Cascade Green and black and are a fine addition to our Legendary Liveries series!

 

BN FEATURES:

• Standard cab

• Cab-mounted Leslie 3-chime horn

• Front large anticlimber

• 4,500 gallon fuel tank

• 88” nose with class lights (non-operational)

• Small EMD front plow

• Standard range dynamic brakes

 

 

Rio Grande

During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the Southern Pacific was looking for ways to solve the problem of their diesels overheating in their many tunnels and snow sheds. They determined that problem was caused by the locomotive’s taking in their own hot exhaust gases while in the confines of the tunnels. The solution came from EMD’s development team which relocated the radiator cooling intakes to the lower portion of the rear of the car body, creating what railfans dubbed the “Tunnel Motor.” This modification allowed the locomotives to take in cooler air that was nearer to the tunnel floor and thus reducing overheating. The Rio Grande was experiencing the same issues and decided to get some Tunnel Motors of their own, ordering some 73 SD40T-2’s in total in 5 separate orders. The last order, #5398-5413 were built in 1980. Features included a 4000 gal fuel tank, nose gyralights, and extended range dynamic brakes with exhaust silencer. The company wanted to order more of them but EMD convinced them to get their new SD50’s instead.

 

DRGW FEATURES:

• 88” nose with class lights (non-operational) and gyralight (Effect in DCC)

• Standard cab

• Small EMD front plow

• Extended range dynamic brakes

• 4,000 gallon fuel tank

• Cab-mounted Leslie 3-chime horn

• Front small anticlimber

• Exhaust silencer

 

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The SD40T-2 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division having a 16-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine producing 3,000 horsepower (2,240 kW). 312 SD40T-2s were built for North American railroads between April 1974 and July 1980. This locomotive and the SD45T-2 are popularly called tunnel motors, but EMD’s term is SD40-2s with “cooling system modifications” because they were designed for better engine cooling in tunnels. The difference between this locomotive and its non-tunnel motor cousin, the SD40-2, are the radiator intakes and radiator fan grills located at the rear of the locomotive. The radiator air intakes in this model were along the deck to allow more fresh, cooler air to enter and less hot exhaust fumes lingering around the tunnel’s ceiling.

 

SD40T-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Fine scale handrails

• Photo-etched windshield wipers

• Separately applied air tanks

• LED Lighting

• HTC truck sideframes

• See-through cab windows

• Welded electrical cabinet air filter box

• All-wheel electrical pickup

• See-through dynamic brake fans

• “Mushroom” nose vent on right side

• Separately applied wire grab irons

• Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends

• Late Dash-2 cab, front window arrangement per prototype

• See-through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox specific for the tunnel motor

• Speed recorder attached to appropriate axle per prototype

• McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers

• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation

• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation

• Chassis accepts Genesis motor retro fit kit for an even higher performance motor

• DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plug technology

• Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels

• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track

• Highly-detailed, injection molded body

• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Econami sound

• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode

• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

• Excellent Slow speed control

• Effect lighting (if applicable) using F5 and/or F6

• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

 

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment

• Faded base colors matched to the prototype

• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

 

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, proto-freelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

 

 

Order Due Date: April 28, 2023

Anticipated Delivery Date: September 2024

Looking for more Athearn SD-40 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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