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Athearn - HO Scale - SD40T-2 - DCC Ready - Southern Pacific (SP) #8257 - Black/Red/White (SKU 140-98320)

Available On: January 1, 2017

Southern Pacific experienced problems with locomotives overheating in tunnels. This brought about a major design change in the new SP SD45-2s.

The traditional EMD sidemounted radiators and roof fans were replaced with roof-mounted radiators, internal fans and a large opening at the bottom of the rear of the long hood. This allowed for cooler air to be pulled upward through the radiators.

The new locomotive was nicknamed “Tunnel Motor,” both for the problem it addressed and the opening in the long hood. While SP initially bought the SD45T-2, Rio Grande chose the 3000-horsepower SD40T-2. SP also purchased a large numbers of SD40T-2s.

Today, both SP & D&RGW are gone, absorbed by Union Pacific. But the Tunnel Motors remain, many serving on Class II roads and short lines across North America. And just like the SD40-2's these will continue to work the rails for many years to come.

General Model Features:

  • MU hoses
  • Coupler cut levers
  • Separately applied wire grab irons
  • Sliding cab side windows
  • See through cab windows
  • Sunshade with riveted strip and long track unless noted
  • Dash-2 style ribbed blower housing
  • Welded ECAFB
  • See-through dynamic brake and radiator fans
  • Separately applied air tanks
  • HT-C Trucks
  • Speed recorder mounted on the front left axle unless noted
  • Frame mounted bell (unless noted)
  • Fine scale handrails molded in engineering plastic
  • Fully assembled and ready-to-run
  • McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
  • DCC ready with Quick Plug technology
  • Highly-detailed, injection molded body
  • Painted and printed for realistic decoration
  • Bi-directional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains consistent
  • All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  • All-wheel electrical pickup
  • 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on Code 70, 75, 83, and 100 rail
  • Minimum radius: 18"
  • Recommended radius: 22"

Road name specific details:

  • L-window cab
  • 88" nose with brake wheel and SP light package
  • Full rear SP light package
  • SP tall front snowplow
  • Large anticlimber
  • Intermediate -2 battery box doors
  • Air conditioner
  • Nathan P3 air horn with bracket
  • Round base whip antenna with conduit
  • Rectangular cab vent on left side
  • Mirror/wind deflectors fore and aft of cab side windows
  • Post ’80 extended range dynamic brake with exhaust silencer
  • Detailed 4,500 gallon fuel tank with double fuel fill
  • Era: 1980+






$134.98 US
Country of Origin: China