Sd45-2'

[amato1969]

Could the 45s and Fs be painted at different factories (sub-contractors) in China?

[Chulvis]

Could the 45s and Fs be painted at different factories (sub-contractors) in China?

I don't think there can be much doubt about that. The most recent F units from IM have what I would call outstanding paint jobs on them. Noticeably better than past releases I thought.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow, look at the pic Chuck posted. Check out the handrails. Talk about precision assembly...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

They still look better then Kato's SD40-2 handrails.

[Dave V]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I thought they did several phases of the T-2s... At least they did RR spefific details though a few were wrong.

The CR/EL SD45-2s will have the appropriate body

I have been able to order several "undec" shell kits from IM. While not advertized, their parts dept is very good.

I think  your right on the price... I guess I got a good deal on my T-2.

[TiVoPrince]

Specific details?
Eventually we got "L" windshields, snoot noses and nose mounted gyralight/headlight were all part of the different classes/orders produced by IM.  Other (SP/SSW specific) details like square jacking pads, split equipment doors and rear lightshow packages were completely ignored...

These were fine examples of getting one roads details (D&RGW) thouroughly correct but only throwing the road with the most actual units an almost meatless bone after complaints and photographic evidence of the glaring errors spread like wildfire across multiple forums.  May we never need to hold another candlelight vigil...

[Robbman]

Message deleted

[SecretWeapon]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Dave,
    Now that's funny !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sundowner]

I got one of this yesterday. Its the first CSX number 8952 in YN2 scheme. here is my mini review of it.

First the good.
The shell has nice detail eventhough is glue together. Mine did not have the big a$$ gap for the blower duct cover as shown on the pictures in the A- forum, its about the same as my new Atlas GP38-2. The fan grilles are etched metal so they are nice. Mine also has the correct fuel tank. She does not look out of places with my other Atlas and Kato units. The paint job for the most part is about the same as the Atlas SD50 I paired her up with. The mech over the trucksis about the same lengh as the original Kato SD40-2.
She pulls about the same as an Atlas SD50. She also quiet like the SD50.

The Bad
The walkway have no tread in them. The cab side windows compare to Atlas and Kato units look small. The blue and gray are a shade to lite for CSX colors, the yellow is the same as my Atlas MP15. The number boards are black instead of white and are not lit, they are painted to the hood. This road number is supposed to have a nose headlight, my model does not. The shell does not center over the mech well like an Atlas or Kato unit, so you have to be carefull when putting it on the mech. They did some of the weathering for you on the grilles and they are shining. It cost more than a comparable Kato or Atlas unit.

Would I buy another, yes but I need to look at it first before I buy it. The model is way better than the Athearns SD70's, it runs as good as an Atlas or Kato unit, if IM can get some of the little fix and finish details right, they have a winner.

[kiwi_al]

Excuse the fish eye look - I got too close.


Well that will appease some and get others in a cat flap so lead on MacDuff and hurl some more haggis

[GonzoCRFan]

Excuse the fish eye look - I got too close.

Is it just me, or does that look like some sort of molding defect above the conductors-side numberboard on the cab roof?  ???

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Like I said on Atlas, look at that paint on the roof around the exhaust hatch. Man, that looks like an Athearn gon dip job if I've ever seen one.

[Erik W]

Excuse the fish eye look - I got too close.

Is it just me, or does that look like some sort of molding defect above the conductors-side numberboard on the cab roof?  ???

That's called sink.  All the cab roofs on the tunnel motors had it as well.  It was one of those things that the powers that be at IMRC wouldn't fix.  As someone who did QC on the parts at the factory in Longmont at IM, it was endlessly frustrating to continuously bring up the chronic problems with certain parts only to be told that was the best that could be done and no effort would be made to actually fix the problems.  The same goes for reviewing production samples from China.  I'd repeatedly point out chronic problems to the factory, only to have them tell me that they couldn’t do any better.  It was really frustrating, as someone who has high standards of quality myself and is genuinely concerned with getting things right, to be told we can't/ won't do things any better from virtually everyone from mold machine operators to the engineers in China to IMRCs management in Longmont.  Honestly, I was embarrassed by many of the products we put out, and ultimately that’s the main reason I moved on.  That’s a bit off topic but gives a bit of an insight into how IMRC operates.  With Marty, Matt and I gone there really isn’t any hard core model railroaders working there now either.  Which I don't really think is a good thing. 

Erik

P.S. - I like how the number is obviously crooked on the cab side of the loco pictured