Intermountain SD40-2 delays

[wcfn100]

When I was on the phone with Intermountain about the box cars, I asked about the -2s.  I was told the response to the sound units was much more than expected and that the delays are due to working with ESU trying to get the electronics all worked out.  I guess they don't want to commit too much to the tooling until they're sure about the sound stuff, but that's just my interpretation.

They hope to have test shots Dec/Jan.

Jason

[davefoxx]

I don't want/need sound.  They can ship my SCL SD40-2 to me today!   

DFF

[lock4244]

I don't want/need sound.  They can ship my SCL SD40-2 to me today!   

DFF

What he said 

[sundowner]

Yep, don't need sound. IM can ship my FEC units now.

[reinhardtjh]

I think it was ESU and the electronics that has delayed the Atlas S2 also.

[basementcalling]

That's the sound of a classic excuse.

No sound needed here either. And no SD40-2s till 2016

[lock4244]

That's the sound of a classic excuse.

No sound needed here either. And no SD40-2s till 2016

Look on the bright side, by 2016 they'll have announced every roadname the SD40-2 was built for plus all second and third hand owners and the lease fleets. We'll all be able to budget accordingly.

[jpwisc]

You guys take the mute ones, I'm looking forward to factory sound. I just hope the engine looks as good as the ESU decoders sound. You don't want to mess up one that your competition has already done well on.

[bbussey]

I'd rather the model be correct and late than on-time and flawed.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'd rather the model be correct and late than on-time and flawed.

+100.

I don't think we're going to be getting a second go-around on these, so I'd much rather have it right the first time.

[flight2000]

Speaking of getting things right, did IMRC make any changes to the tunnel motors, i.e. quality improvements, with later releases?  I haven't had a need for one until now.  I just saw that the Wheeling and Lake Erie have a few ex-UP versions and I'm thinking of picking on up.

Cheers,
Brian

[Rossford Yard]

Didn't Atlas have some S2 delays due to sound?  Hey, its a first for both companies. Not sure if it is more complicated than the FP45 sound from Athearn, but I am willing to bet its not an excuse.  And, they know how we treat them if a release isn't close to perfect.

I am not sure of te OP interpretation, but could be wrong.  Specifically, I doubt the shell work is delayed.  I am pretty sure, given the dimensions must meet proto within a few scale inches, and there are some reusable drawings or parts, that they have or are working out the shell, and expecting the ESU sound to fit within those parameters.  At least I hope so.  If the shell work hasn't started then this thing will really be delayed. 

And, not sure, but haven't some test samples at least been seen at shows?

At any rate, the community at large has been suggesting someone take up the mantle of the SD40-2 since Kato is focused on limited roads and releases.  IM has stepped in, and I hate to make them feel as if they have "stepped in it" before even seeing the product.

For the record, I have some DME on order from the first announcement, and will probably get some ICG for my Chicago themed layout.  Probably will end up with a lot more, too.

Now just idle thoughts, but while most releases are timed out to save modelers checkbooks, I wonder if combining two releases or more into one would hurt as much?  given the wide variety of road names, what are chances the NW modeler will also want CNW, for example?  Or will there be more quick money to be made as modelers of different roads all snap up 2-4 of their fave road(s)?  Just a thought.

[oakcreekco]

Speaking of getting things right, did IMRC make any changes to the tunnel motors, i.e. quality improvements, with later releases?  I haven't had a need for one until now.  I just saw that the Wheeling and Lake Erie have a few ex-UP versions and I'm thinking of picking on up.

Cheers,
Brian

After the initial DRGW release, I checked several runs afterwards, and can't say that I saw any differences or improvements. Maybe less overlubed that the first run, but everything else looked the same.....................and I passed on buying anymore of the IM Tunnel Motors.

[wcfn100]

I am not sure of te OP interpretation, but could be wrong.  Specifically, I doubt the shell work is delayed.

The tooling being delayed wasn't my interpretation. It's delayed.  I was told that it's because they were still working out the sound with ESU.  It was my interpretation that they don't want to have to redo any tooling.  I assume the sound greatly effects the chassis design which in turn effects the main shell which effects everything else.

I'll be going to the RMTTS this weekend and they are usually there.  I can get some more specifics if they aren't too busy.


Jason

[daniel_leavitt2000]

If they are retooling the mechanism, I guess this will mean we won't have a grind job like we saw in the SD40-2W. My only real complaint about the engine.