Feed back for the Intermountain SD40-2

[wcfn100]

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?

LOL, yeah, i got nothing better to do.

While on the subject of the details of the N scale SD40-2, Bill mentioned to me about how he's looking for any feedback to bring into the meetings.  I told him about the 12 page thread generated here and offered to pass that along to him.  He then handed me his a card and told me to email him.  Instead of weeding through that thread, I started this one.

Is that good enough for you?

I'm not even buying any of these.  I'm just offering to pass the info along since I'm the one who talked to him about it, plus I've had previous dealings with him via Red Caboose stuff.

As for the tooling, at the time of the announcement, IM said they weren't done cutting the tooling yet.   Besides that, tooling gets recut all the time and IM uses aluminum and can cut in-house.

Jason

[AVR Mark]

Like many others here (and other places) have said, please, no glue. I would hope that all the engines are "ditch light ready" and not all ditch light equipped. (unless the paint scheme is in the correct time period for ditch light equipped units) I really like the way that ditch lights look, but my "modeling era" is before 1990, so there weren't many non Canadian locomotives running around at that time that had ditch lights. I would hope that if new trucks have to be tooled they would be less like the Atlas SD-60 trucks and more like the Kato original release SD40-2 trucks. (The newer Kato trucks from the "Mid Release" screwless chassis units are just awful.) The original run Kato trucks have been much more reliable for me than the Atlas SD-60 trucks that I have. Doing research from prototype photos and measurements isn't really that expensive and if a model is produced with all the major features ( like the exhaust stack hatch) in the correct place, the modelers will be much happier. It doesn't cost any more to make the molds with the details in the correct places.

Mark

[6axlepwr]

I think this is very constructive and it would be nice to have one person to compile the information and get it over to IM. I appreciate the opportunity to add. Some is a repeat o what others have suggested.

1. Give N-Scale the attention it deserves. Do not skimp on mold cutting technology. Fidelity is a must.
2. Smooth running mechanism (ala Kato)
3. Solid shell to frame mounting method.
4. No glue!
5. Tool new side frames (HT-C, HT-C triple clasp & Type II Flexicoil for Conrail) and include the traction motor detail on the inner axle of the HT-C type to help fill in that area. Like what Kato does.
6. Keep the seperate handrails, but longer pins and use a stiffer material. ABS would not be to bad, but I know folks would complain about it breaking.
7. Do not use Photo Etch unless it is the correct material for the detail.
8. Tool different DB hatches to include the Q-exhaust hatch as well as Q fans for the radiator.
9. Tread plate on the deck. We all know tread plate is oversized in N, but it does add to the detail effect.
10. Grab iron dimples
11. Keep the shell assembly the same design as your tunnel motor. Allows the modeler a lot of flexibility when kit bashing. Just make it fit together better and tighter.
12. Make sure the project engineer has a vested interest in this great model and knows what an SD40-2 is and how important a model it is and can think outside the box.
13. Check your drawings not once, not twice  and not three times, but multiple times by not just one person and do not let the Chinese factory make all the mold cutting decisions.
14. Upon arrival of test shots, show them to us in detail. Be open to constructive criticism and make the necessary changes that will make this model the end all an N-Scale SD40-2.

[PacRail]

Paint that isn't too thick and is the correct shade for the prototype.
Cab window glass that isn't too thick or that doesn't fit properly.

[jpwisc]

Just a couple of things:
1) Correct brake (ratchet vs wheel)
2) Correct radiator grills
3) +1 for Undec's
4) +1 for grab iron dimples

The others have all brought good ideas forward as well: so keep on keeping on!

[Specter3]

Dcc ready with plug
High hood models with correct brakes and bells
I vote for dimples for grabs
I would like nice fan and radiator detail that is correct.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Flat out. Don't half a$$ anything, and don't let QC or assembly issues get in the way or ruin what could be a good model. For as much ***** as I talk about my IM SD45-2, there's a nugget of genius there. Sadly it's wrapped in a poor execution. If IM can deliver on that promise, my wallet will fall open for them.

[lock4244]

For all you dimple lovers out there, the SD40-2W came with the grabs installed. I'll take the new SD40-2 with them already installed thank-you-very-much.

That has got to be better than a bunch of dimples 

[soo]

I have one that no one has mentioned,,proper size fuel tanks per prototype. Like the ones the Milwaukee Road had.

 Also location of horns, For example the horns on SOO units were located on the angled roof of the cab. I am not sure if any other RR's did that.

 So to sum it up,, proper details and locations per prototype locomotives.

Wyatt

[Sokramiketes]

As for the tooling, at the time of the announcement, IM said they weren't done cutting the tooling yet.   Besides that, tooling gets recut all the time and IM uses aluminum and can cut in-house.

Jason

They can, but times change and they are not.  And they are not tooling the -2's in house.

[TiVoPrince]

Simple,
make a model folks want to buy at a price/detail point that makes a profit.  Resist the urge to slap SP paint on DRGW details.  Nscalers are a lot more savvy than they get credit for and half-done will not cut it.  Well planned options like ditch lights will expand the market for these models far into the future.

Multiple runs with specific details could make this an Intermountain profit centre for many years.  Don't fluff it all up because you want to get to market fast or save a few beans in the short term...

[johnh35]

This will probably not sit well with most of you, but I would prefer the handrails/walkway to be an assembly. I have had some of the engines with seperate handrails come loose and fall off, never to be seen again. Mold the handrails in body color and paint the walkways.

[Kev1340]

For all you dimple lovers out there, the SD40-2W came with the grabs installed. I'll take the new SD40-2 with them already installed thank-you-very-much.

That has got to be better than a bunch of dimples 

Absolutely!!

With so much talk of wanting IM to move forward, beats me why so many people are requesting a step back to dimples

My main request would be for a chassis of comparable quality and performance to Kato, and for the body shell to have accurate dimensions and features.

Not too much to ask surely?

Cheers,

Kev

[basementcalling]

For all you dimple lovers out there, the SD40-2W came with the grabs installed. I'll take the new SD40-2 with them already installed thank-you-very-much.

That has got to be better than a bunch of dimples 

Dimples on models are overrated.



At this rate though, if IM can pull all these innovations and ideas off the price point will skyrocket.

[ednadolski]

For all you dimple lovers out there, the SD40-2W came with the grabs installed. I'll take the new SD40-2 with them already installed thank-you-very-much.

Works for me.   I wonder, what size wire did they use?


I found something on this from the Jan 2011 MRH, p. 93:  (emphasis added)

"The N scale model has the 4-window safety cab,
the snow shields over the air inlets, the dynamic
brake hatch or non-dynamic brake hood, and the
destinctive stairwells and handrails of the Cana-
dian National version. The model includes finely
molded ditch lights, MU sockets, windshield-
mounted bell, and walkway-mounted hand brake.
Grab irons are formed wire, while the fan grilles
and sunshades are etched metal. The loco is DCC-
ready and uses Micro-Trains® couplers."


Ed