Intermountain SD40-2 delays

[drgw0579]

I was asked to pass this on.  I am trying to get my source to post directly in the future. 

This has been a great discussion on the topic of our SD40-2's as well as sound versus non-sound offerings.  I'd like to address and clarify some things and really do appreciate the feedback, both positive and not-so-positive, that this thread has provided.

First off let me say I did not intend to sound testy or defensive in my response yesterday.  I've learned in speaking with hundreds and hundreds of people at shows and on the phone that a poorly-worded or vague response can often times lead to more questions than it answers.  The intent was to clearly define the hold up in this project.  In no way was I attempting to blame ESU for our delays, we are in total agreement with them taking their time to get it right and put out the best product possible.  Matt is one of my favorite people in the industry and in addition to his expertise in the area of decoders and controls, he is one of the finest people I've had the pleasure of dealing with.  We've shared many a laugh over a good meal the last few years.  We support their efforts in every way possible but are just plain anxious to see this product delivered.

Sound versus non-sound is a very personal choice, which is why we are offering locomotives with DC only, DCC only, or DCC with sound.  We know lots of people do not like sound but we also have dealers who will order nothing that doesn't have it.  We've also had dealers return their entire HO inventory of locomotives for conversion to sound because "non-sound doesn't sell."  It was mentioned we should deliver the DC only locomotives now and not wait.  The decision was made to offer one chassis, as Jason mentioned.  It was our opinion that if we shipped DC only locomotives that had no provision for adding a decoder or speaker at a future date we would be doing the purchaser an injustice in case they decided to convert to DCC.  I believe it could possibly affect their ability to sell the locomotive if they so choose.  By having only one chassis we minimize costs as well as provide a locomotive that can be upgraded later without having to remove metal, etc.  The chassis final design cannot be determined until the decoder was developed and tested so the DC units have been held up.

While we are not at the same level as Jason at Rapido or Shane at Scale Trains in terms of spreading the word via Social Media or the forums, we are trying to improve.  We do have communication with almost every active dealer via phone calls or e-mail every month.  As another poster noted, a majority of dealers are aware of the delays and the cause.  I would also encourage people with questions to send us an e-mail or call our 800 number and ask, we'll be happy to fill you in on everything that is happening.

We announced another run of SD40-2's a couple months back, HO Scale only.  We have no intention of announcing additional N Scale locomotives until we start shipping what has already been promised.  The same can be said for our HO Scale GP10.  Speaking of which...
One poster mentioned the GP10 project.  Briefly, all the plastic has been run except for detail sprue #2.  We are doing that right now so everything should be loaded into a container and sent to the factory in the next week or so.  We are hoping for the return shipment around June.  The entire project has been a challenging one, basically we started over about 16 months ago when it was determined the original design would not work from a tooling perspective.  We hope the delay is worth it but none of us here are happy with how long it has taken.  We have done all the tooling and plastic injection here so have full control over design and quality issues. 

BREAKING NEWS:  I am very sorry to report that we just learned five minutes ago that the SD40-2 board design needs to be changed.  We received communication from ESU in Germany that they are now anticipating a June delivery date for the next sample.  The factory, who produces for several manufacturers, believes the board size must be reworked.  They are happy with the functions and capability, just want a different size.  The delay continues.  You all here on Railwire are the first to hear the unfortunate news.       

[mu26aeh]

Thanks for the update.  Nice to see we won't see another 50 schemes announced before first run hits the streets.

Well, maybe I will still have my CSX version for my birthday, Halloween 2016... 

[Dave V]

A few years ago I'd be chomping at the bit for these as Conrail and the SD40-2 are almost synonymous...  But the sudden windfall in Pennsy steam has me otherwise occupied.  Well, that and central Colorado circa 1905...

It will be interesting to see how these do on a secondary market.  I know the F3s and F7s are sometimes hard to come by on eBay.  I've been very happy with those IM products I do own.

[ednadolski]

I saw some of these at a recent Denver show, they definitely will be worth the wait.  JMHO, it's almost always better to get it right than to get it fast, esp. when downstream changes are difficult or impossible.


Ed

[learmoia]

i model Conrail 1990 so i would like to have a nice fleet of these units, hopefully with the corect trucks

Don't hold your breath on the correct trucks... I talked to IM back in December.. and they gave a cryptic answer.. 'maybe'

IM is not producing the drives components, and a Flexicoil truck is currently not available that would fit the drive they are using, and they don't have plans to produce once just for the SD40-2..

BUT..

The trucks may be available by the time the CR units get produced.. and if it is, they will use it on the SD40-2s..

... So put on your speculation hats.. Is Atlas updating tooling on the SD50/60/60M series .. maybe Adding 60I? and NS cabs), to includes ditch lights, ESU sound and Flexicoil trucks???

One can only hope!  ~Ian

[wcfn100]

Don't hold your breath on the correct trucks... I talked to IM back in December.. and they gave a cryptic answer.. 'maybe'

Went I talked to them last month, it was more like a 'we're trying'. They're aware, and would like to, but as you noted, it won't happen for just the -2's.

Jason

[learmoia]

Went I talked to them last month, it was more like a 'we're trying'. They're aware, and would like to, but as you noted, it won't happen for just the -2's.

Jason

Yeah,.. they seemed hopeful... the longer the delay, the more likely flexicoil trucks.. but even so, don't rule out future releases..

It was kinda funny.. I asked the question, and thier responce.. "you must be on theRailwire......  we understand the signifigance of Flexicoil trucks.."

We all had a chuckle..

~Ian

[peteski]

IIRC, in the past the IM 3-axle trucks and some their drive-train components were sourced from Atlas. Of from the same manufacturer in China which manufactures Atlas parts.  Looking at the parts diagrams, even the part numbers were the same between Atlas and IM.

[drgw0579]

So I'm looking at the Conrail Cyclopedia page on the SD40-2 http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/emd/sd402/sd402proto.html

It would appear the Atlas SD35 truck frame (494305) is real close to the Conrail SD40-2 Flexcoil truck.  Looking at the Atlas part I have in my hand, the only things different are the center brake cylinder and the outside brake shoes.  Both that look like would be an easy fix with a file.  I also have an HTC truck side frame from an IM SD45-2 (which I had scrapped)and those side frames seem to fit on the Atlas gear case, (494301). 

So, the SD40-2 is a couple years too new for my modeling, but that's what I would do.  Now, I did post the message from IM above, but I haven't had any discussions with them on this topic.  My reason for looking into this was to see if 3D printing was a solution.

Shoot away...

Bill Kepner

[learmoia]

So I'm looking at the Conrail Cyclopedia page on the SD40-2 http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/emd/sd402/sd402proto.html

It would appear the Atlas SD35 truck frame (494305) is real close to the Conrail SD40-2 Flexcoil truck.  Looking at the Atlas part I have in my hand, the only things different are the center brake cylinder and the outside brake shoes.  Both that look like would be an easy fix with a file.  I also have an HTC truck side frame from an IM SD45-2 (which I had scrapped)and those side frames seem to fit on the Atlas gear case, (494301). 

So, the SD40-2 is a couple years too new for my modeling, but that's what I would do.  Now, I did post the message from IM above, but I haven't had any discussions with them on this topic.  My reason for looking into this was to see if 3D printing was a solution.

Shoot away...

Bill Kepner

I don't have an IM SD40-2 in front of me.. but the atlas SD35 truck is a totally different design than the SD50/60 HTC Truck - I don't think it's a straight sideframe swap.

Someone on TRW is doing shape ways Flexicoil truck side-frame replacements for the Kato SD40-2 Truck.. but he hasn't done Atlas version yet.

You can achieve a pretty accurate result by trimming off the traction motor mounting bracket from an HTC truck and fill the 3rd holes.  But you still have to deal with the center axle stabilizer.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You can achieve a pretty accurate result by trimming off the traction motor mounting bracket from an HTC truck and fill the 3rd holes.  But you still have to deal with the center axle stabilizer.

That's what I've done on mine.

Here's the surgery on an Atlas HTC truck:




Dealing with the snubber isn't tough. I usually just hack away at it with my rail nippers, then I finish it up with my files.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Its not that the conversion is so hard, its that the Atlas HTC truck looks so ugly to begin with. Its no better looking than the Con-Cor/Roco trucks from the 80's and that's saying something. If you but the Atlas GTC truck next to one from Kato, you would never know they are the same model.

[cjm413]

I don't have an IM SD40-2 in front of me.. but the atlas SD35 truck is a totally different design than the SD50/60 HTC Truck - I don't think it's a straight sideframe swap.

Someone on TRW is doing shape ways Flexicoil truck side-frame replacements for the Kato SD40-2 Truck.. but he hasn't done Atlas version yet.

You can achieve a pretty accurate result by trimming off the traction motor mounting bracket from an HTC truck and fill the 3rd holes.  But you still have to deal with the center axle stabilizer.

Does anyone know if the Intermountain drive is compatible with Atlas SD35 trucks?

If so, Atlas SD35 trucks are compatible with Kato Flexicoil sideframes...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm guessing not, because they probably use a derivative of the Atlas SD50/60 truck, which isn't compatible with the SD35 (life would be so grand if it were).

It's because the mounting is different, plus there's the axle spacing issue.

Damn you EMD!

[oakcreekco]

They do not. It's been quite a while since I checked into this, as I wanted to change those "hopping" trucks on the tunnel motors that I had.

Looked into the other Atlas trucks, and Kato trucks, and they just won't work.