Just got my "pay for your preorder" notification for my ST Conrail SD40-2s

[packers#1]

I wouldn’t be so sure Jeff, all it takes is a subwoofer

https://thehillsline.com/2024/07/29/mindheim-sound-redux/

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I just got my shipping notification. Had a conversation with Joy about the sudden $700 purchase. 

Now that I have the BLI SD40-2 equipped with Loksound, this will be really interesting to listen to. The BLI is MUCH louder than the Loksound IM SD40-2. Frequency response seems better all around, though there is slight clipping at higher frequencies during the startup sequence. I think pulling back the volume a bit may fix that.

Honestly, I don't think ST will be able to match the reverb chamber of the BLI. This is absolute proof that the decoders are what is holding BLI back.

[peteski]

This is absolute proof that the decoders are what is holding BLI back.

You mean BLI's Paragon decoders which seem to be disliked by many?
I assume that you installed an ESU LokSound Decoder in a Stealth BLI model?

But it is not just the decoder hardware.  The quality of the sound files in the decoder, and the speaker/enclosure combo all play very important role in the overall quality and fidelity of the sound.

[nscaler711]

Yipeee... I'll have two snot nosed Santa Fe units on their way soon...    
I cant stand how long the nose is... but they had a few... and the goal is to have about 10% of the total roster for any one locomotive type...
BLI aside has anyone dropped a Tsunami 2 in them yet? 

[bman]

Got my notice during our current DC trip as well as the finger rack and bulkhead flats all in one box. My wallet was in shock for a moment. Luckily I stashed a bit more away for these than I planned. I think I am down to 2 outstanding pre-orders at the moment. Phew!

[ai5629]

My four non-sound DCC ready Conrail SD40-2's should arrive on Monday, along with the bulkhead flatcars and the finger rack flatcars I reserved.  I did not expect these all at once, but nothing I can do about it.  I bought a fourth as delivered unit with the intention of renumbering it.  Scaletrains lettering comes off rather well with Solvaset.  I opted for no sound due to the fact they will never produce the sound I am looking for.  Listen to the first two minutes of this You Tube video.  This is what I want, and it is not possible in any scale other than 1:1.  Five SD40-2s (three haulers and two unit snapper) hauling a PPLX unit mineral train (probably symbol UFY) up the West Slope of the Conrail Pittsburgh Line at the PA 53 bridge between Cresson and Gallitzen, PA.   

/>
Great all around video.  He has other late Conrail and early NS videos that are great to just listen to, let alone watch.  Brings back many fond memories railfanning the same spots during the same time period.  Thanks.

Jeff

I received my shipment two days early.  My oh my, these Conrail SD40-2's are exquisite.  You will not be disappointed.  The addition of the flex-coil trucks put these over the top.  This is the best looking, most accurate N scale CR diesel bar none.  The bulkhead flatcars and finger rack cars are also excellent.  The bulkhead flatcars have a lot of free standing detail.  So many grab irons.  Excellent job on all three items Scale Trains.  Thank you for bringing these to market.

Jeff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

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If you don't hear from me for a few days, please ask Terri to bring me some water in the basement.

[Dave V]

If you don't hear from me for a few days, please ask Terri to bring me some water in the basement.

Presumably you have enough AstroGlide down there already...

[MK]

Is that how your delivery person "hides" the package from porch pirates?  What a way to scream what's in the box!   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Is that how your delivery person "hides" the package from porch pirates?  What a way to scream what's in the box!   

Yep. It's actually pretty effective.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Boys, I'm smitten.

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I have two minor issues: I wish they had blackened the brass contact strip in trucks and one of mine arrived with its radio antenna missing.

Both are very easy fixes. I'm very happy.

[spookshow]

Got mine yesterday. I don't know what they changed exactly, but there is noticeably more daylight between the bottom of the fuel tank and the rails as compared to the first production run. Suffice it to say, bottoming out is no longer an issue.

-Mark

[spookshow]

FYI from scaletrains.coms -

"The only physical change was to the screws that retain the fuel tank to the frame. They were shortened just a bit so that they don't bottom out before the tank is tight. The other thing was for the factory to make sure the paint wasn't too thick on the bottom of the chassis so that when the screws were put in place the paint around the hole didn't pucker and keep the tank from seating properly."

-Mark

[Ed Kapuscinski]

FYI from scaletrains.coms -

"The only physical change was to the screws that retain the fuel tank to the frame. They were shortened just a bit so that they don't bottom out before the tank is tight. The other thing was for the factory to make sure the paint wasn't too thick on the bottom of the chassis so that when the screws were put in place the paint around the hole didn't pucker and keep the tank from seating properly."

-Mark

Very interesting! I think it really goes to show how precise these machines really are.

And also why I'm glad Conrail was in the second run. Although, hopefully fixing the issue on the previous run versions won't be too tough if that's what was causing the issue.

[C855B]

"The only physical change was to the screws that retain the fuel tank to the frame. They were shortened just a bit so that they don't bottom out before the tank is tight. The other thing was for the factory to make sure the paint wasn't too thick on the bottom of the chassis so that when the screws were put in place the paint around the hole didn't pucker and keep the tank from seating properly."

Very helpful, Mark! I have one that snags on a shoo-fly around a layout section under construction. I was reticent to really crank down on the screws for fear of stripping them out, obviously not knowing I was bottoming the screws. Easy project that won't even be set down on the bench long enough to be put in the queue! Thanks!