Feed back for the Intermountain SD40-2

[nkalanaga]

I'd prefer the early version, suitable for the BN's 1972-1974 purchases.  Given the numbers on the announced models, that looks like what these should be.

There were so many versions of these that it might pay to make the body shell modular...

[MRLX1020]

There were so many versions of these that it might pay to make the body shell modular...

YES!  Like the ultimate F unit that Athearn finally put out in HO, a modular N Scale SD40-2 would be well received.  As long as it is on par with the current Kato offering, it could be a fun project......

Here's some of the variations that could easily be incorporated into either an "Ultimate Undecorated" unit, or easily divided up amongst the roads that used them:

- Canadian Snow stairs and vertical handrails for (CP and QNS&L units)
- Regular EMD or Q fan retrofit (fans that snap in would be great)
- A non-dynamic hatch (for IC, MP and Rock Island fans, then later UP and CN)
- Hi Nose or Snoot Nose variations (NW Red Baron and KCS white knight and later gray, now Southern Belle)
- The ability to easily adapt Flexicoil sideframes in place of the early HTC's for CR and NS guys
- install knock outs on the cast frame halves for easy trimming for those roads who had smaller fuel tanks
- modular pilots/end railings that would allow for rear facing ditch lights
- hi/low mounted ditch lights per prototype (along with provisions to light them)
- Anti-climbers

This might be dreaming, but Intermountain has a chance to knock it out of the park with this one.

MRLX1020
(now making a hasty retreat to the basement to chop the dynamics on my new Illinois Central Kato SD40-2's to keep the future release gods at bey)

[asarge]

High Hood Versions, but I already know they will be done. I know the DC versions will be DCC ready, but I would hope they will accept a PNP decoder form other manufacturers and not just the new ESU decoders.

[Rossford Yard]

Basically what Dan Leavitt said in post 3, as agreeing with DRD. 

Some posts, though, do raise an interesting question, which is "Does every new N scale loco release require some sort of ground breaking improvement?" 
Not sure if that is what posters are asking, since some feel that if IM brought their locos to current Atlas and Kato standards, they would be fine.  So maybe the mantra is "don't take a step back in quality from the best."  Obviously, every new loco model is a possibility to raise the bar, however, the question is whether we would also pay for that extra attention to quality?  They have to be asking if there is a limit that we will pay for, despite forum demands, no?

For the record, I just bought two tunnel motors off EBay for my fleet, and was impressed with the screen detail on the top, and they run fine. Thought the trucks looked a little rough, but most of the other detailing was crisp.  I would be happy with slight improvements to looks and running over the tunnel motors.  Can't be as specific as some who look closer than I do.

[lock4244]

I concur with the sentiment for IM to do the best SD40-2 possible.

- Stop with the glue
- The handrails need a better way of attachment (but please, no glue)... although they are easy to remove it you need to
- Please use low profile wheels like Kato does... the stock wheels are ugly and a step in the wrong direction
- Tread on the walkways would be nice... SD40-2W's are an OHSA grievance with my 1:160 scale crews, totally lacking any tread what-so-ever
- The headlights are too far on the blue light spectrum
- QC to prevent the bent rear end/drooping coupler issue (two of my seven SD40-2W's had this)

Ok, so I'm like the only person here that owns any of the Intermountain SD40-2W's. Many of the concerns mentioned here were addressed on the SD40-2W:

- All grabs are separately added wire with the BLMA'esque drop bend
- Shells are snug and not held on by gravity, you can lift the model by the shell and the chassis does not budge, yet easy to pop the chassis out without damaging anything
- They come in both DB and non-DB variants (CN has them both ways)
- They have the correct 'snow steps' for the CN units, single rear headlight, and a non-beaded blower duct
- Separately added bell above windshield
- Separately added brass wire to emulate the air line on the roof of the prototype after the horns were relocated from above the bell to just ahead of the radiator fans
- The are very nice runners... creep as well as any Atlas six-axle unit, but are not quite Kato

They listened to some of the gripes about the Tunnel Motors and made improvements on the SD40-2W. The factory added separate details and road specific details are a first in N scale as far as I can tell.

[Rossford Yard]

Lock,

What, positivity? We won't hear of it!

Actually missed in some of the normal griping is that this thread originated from a request by IM to get more information as to how to please their best customers.  Sounds like they also did it with the SD40-M wide cabs.  (Never bought one of those, but they looked nice.  I just have enough CN locos for my layout although it was tempting as a unique unit for the US, and I presume they did leave the northland?)

Anyway, I am sure IM will sift through this and make some nice improvements where practical.

[Wardie]

NO glue

[Wlal13again]

Just better fit and finish.. no glueing parts..

[SD452XR]

With the first runs projected for Oct, isn't a little too late for Intermountain to be asking for suggestions? I would think the models are already in production.
Steve

[Rossford Yard]

Nice point, but I gather they wouldn't ask if they couldn't do something to respond. 

Not sure what the current design/tooling/production time frame is these days.  However, it would seemingly be a real dumb PR move to ask and then ignore.  On the other hand, IM didn't start this thread, and it might be the OP took what might have been an off the cuff question or comment more seriously than Bill of RC might have intended?  Any thoughts WCH?  Did he ask specifically for input?

Will be interesting to find out.  That said, I can easily predict some dissatisfaction with almost anything produced come October. And, even more if October turns to November or later, even IF one of the reasons is retooling on account of this thread! 

For the record, I have already ordered two ICE units from my LHS, and look forward to those, and appreciate the somewhat off beat paint scheme in the first run (sorry to those who have been waiting and will have to wait longer for more typical schemes they could to, like MILW and SOO) but I see their logic in offering some of those in each run.

[SD452XR]

I would suggest undec models and don't go so heavy on the paint.

[learmoia]

With the first runs projected for Oct, isn't a little too late for Intermountain to be asking for suggestions? I would think the models are already in production.
Steve

LOL... When has Intermountain ever met a deadline.

Modular body without glue..

The SD40-2W are nice....

~ Ian

[ednadolski]

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.

Just to address the question:  Because I've never seen any prototype with cast-on grabirons.  If the goal is better and more accurate models, then I don't see the point to continue making them with crude & inaccurate detailing, esp. if only to preserve existing perceptions.

I would suggest undec models and don't go so heavy on the paint.

+1.   An unnumbered version of painted models would be welcome too.

Some posts, though, do raise an interesting question, which is "Does every new N scale loco release require some sort of ground breaking improvement?" 

Not necessarily ground-breaking, but if they only do something as good as a competitor, then they can only compete on price & margins.   Not a wise move in a commodity or niche market.


Ed

[davefoxx]

I'd like to see closer attention to the paint color.  The SD45-2s' (especially the Seaboard System units) paint color was noticeably off.

[unittrain]

Get the chessie colors correct not too bright yellow!!!!