Feed back for the Intermountain SD40-2

[wcfn100]

As I mentioned in another thread, Bill at Intermountain is very interested in any feed back he can get about this project.  Instead of going through the other thread I'm going to start a new topic.

Post any concerns stemmed from older releases or wants like details in regards to this new model, and I can pass it along as one list to Bill.

Two rules - no paint scheme requests and no personal beefs.  I won't pass either along.

One last thing, I'm not trying to appoint myself TRW ambassador, and we don't have to do this, but I'll follow through if people would like.  You're obviously more than welcome to contact IM yourself if you prefer.


I basically started by requesting the short MILW fuel tanks and CNW nose bells.  And I did bring up the warped frame issue where the couplers wouldn't sit at the right height.

 
Jason

[u18b]

Don't glue the shell parts together.  Figure out the way almost every other manufacturer makes locos (without gluing).

[C855B]

Early production detailing would be appreciated by pre-merger UP fans - 81" nose, ratchet brake, grid radiator screening. As mentioned in the other thread, the first run is offering ex-C&NW units, which only counts for > 1995 modelers.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

1 Please no glue.
2 Please make the shell fit the chassis without falling out or the need for double side tape.
3 Please make flexcoil sideframes for the CR/CSX/NS engines.
4 Please do not grind the chassis to make the shell fit. Use new frame halves.
5 Please for the love of God make a mid production version.
6 Please model the tread on the walkway.

[Bob Bufkin]

1 Please no glue.
2 Please make the shell fit the chassis without falling out or the need for double side tape.
3 Please make flexcoil sideframes for the CR/CSX/NS engines.
4 Please do not grind the chassis to make the shell fit. Use new frame halves.
5 Please for the love of God make a mid production version.
6 Please model the tread on the walkway.

Same comments from me.

[u18b]

Mechanically.

Don't use the little piece like Saturn inside the flywheels called a "dogbone" or male universal in this drawing-
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/atlasc628.html


So the motor shaft sticks into the flywheel a bit.  The male universal dogbone piece is placed on the very tip of the motor shaft.
The worm shafts have forks whitch engage the Saturn/dogbone piece.

Intermountain and Atlas have used this configuration on a few locos (e.g., Atlas used it on the Centuries).


This is one of the worst flywheel/worm interfaces ever.  That little piece inside the flywheel eventually comes loose.

A flywheel with a hex nut hole is a million times better.

[Robbman]

Fix the exhaust hatch location...

[ednadolski]

Please eliminate the molded-on grabirons (just put on dimples like FVM does).

Modelers who care about details will be grateful that they don't have to shave off grabirons and repair the paint. Modelers who do not care about details won't be bothered by the absence of the molded-on parts.

So by leaving off the molded grabirons, everyone wins.

Thanks,
Ed

[Kisatchie]

Modelers who do not care about details won't be bothered by the absence of the molded-on parts.

So by leaving off the molded grabirons, everyone wins.

Hey, I want molded-on grabirons. I don't feel like struggling to put extra tiny parts on locos I buy.


Hmm... for once I agree
with Kiz...

[ednadolski]

Hey, I want molded-on grabirons. I don't feel like struggling to put extra tiny parts on locos I buy.

But you don't have to.  On the FVMs, the small parts are optional, and the loco looks & runs just fine without 'em.

So if the parts are too small to see/install, I don't quite follow why their absence is a noticeable concern for normal operation (3-foot rule, right?).

Ed

[Kisatchie]

But you don't have to.  On the FVMs, the small parts are optional, and the loco looks & runs just fine without 'em.

So if the parts are too small to see/install, I don't quite follow why their absence is a noticeable concern for normal operation (3-foot rule, right?).

I can see the grabirons, so I want 'em cast on.

Using your words [if the parts are too small to see/install, I don't quite follow why their absence is a noticeable concern], then why would you want to install such small parts? You could just leave the cast on grabirons in place.


Hmm... oh, look at the
time... bed time...

[wcfn100]

Let's please not turn this into a debate.  Everyone gets their say.

Jason

[Denver Road Doug]

Let's please not turn this into a debate.  Everyone gets their say.

Well, it does point to why Intermountain feels they can get by with not advancing their products.  If the *majority* wants to continue making locos like they did in the 70's, this thread is a waste of time.

Kis, you can send me any loco you buy like that, and I'll install the grabs and pay shipping both ways, deal?

My "say" is....what Daniel_Leavitt2000 said, but really my suggestion to Intermountain is what I would tell my 9-year-old:  do your best.

The tunnel motors weren't their best, by a long shot.   They need to make a model that uses current standards and best practices.  If they do that, and present their best effort, then I think they will be successful.

[unittrain]

Make sure to do it accurate by conducting research!! Also make sure attention is payed to the 1970's era details.

[basementcalling]

Make it better than Bachmann. Seriously. Those models scared other companies away from an SD40-2 in the 80s and again in the 90s.

For me to buy them, these models must

Run smoothly and reliably and be at least DCC ready
Sit at prototype heights
Have a shell that stays securely on the mechanism
No glue
Handrails you can breathe on without fear of falling off.