Anyone see the IM SD40-2s at the show

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Guys, I understand what handling damage is. I'm not holding that against them (handrails popped out, bent, etc...).

When I talked about the handrails, I'm talking about the little "burrs" on the handrails. I think those are flash or gates or something, but they were present on other IM hood units, so I don't expect that to change.

I'm not bashing them here, and I'm not saying "they'll be crap because IMRC is crap", what I'm saying is, based on the things I see in the photos, there are some things that indicate that it's not going to be the most amazing model. It won't be crap, but there will be things I wish were improved.

[Mark5]

I'm gonna wait until I see these to render an opinion (maybe ) ...

It's amazing to me that in 2015 we still don't have a good SD40-2 in N scale. Although my Kato units certainly run well, and the model was great back in the late 1990s, the shell has many problems and errors of varying degrees - the tooling is dated and not nearly up to today's standards.

If they actually tool up the high nose N&W shell I'll be very curious 

[peteski]

Guys, I understand what handling damage is. I'm not holding that against them (handrails popped out, bent, etc...).

When I talked about the handrails, I'm talking about the little "burrs" on the handrails. I think those are flash or gates or something, but they were present on other IM hood units, so I don't expect that to change.

I'm not bashing them here, and I'm not saying "they'll be crap because IMRC is crap", what I'm saying is, based on the things I see in the photos, there are some things that indicate that it's not going to be the most amazing model. It won't be crap, but there will be things I wish were improved.

I think there is too much negativity on TRW.  Maybe we should actually wait until the final model is in our hands before making all these types of comments on a pre-production example?  This is starting to remind me of another recent thread where we (I) were/was encouraged to stay positive.  Funny how this works...   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think there is too much negativity on TRW.  Maybe we should actually wait until the final model is in our hands before making all these types of comments on a pre-production example?  This is starting to remind me of another recent thread where we (I) were/was encouraged to stay positive.  Funny how this works...   

I know, I know... I'm the worst.

[lock4244]

[mu26aeh]

That's funny !!

I have a CSX sound unit on pre-order from first run, and will hopefully be able to get a second unit at some time.  If they are good or poor, at least I will have two of them   It will look good from 3-5' away moving at 35 scale miles an hour....

[Ike the BN Freak]

They look like they sit too high up on the trucks. The previous units did too, think it has to do with the trucks they are using.

[mu26aeh]

One thing I just noticed looking at the shipping schedule, models shipping in December or later have working ditch lights if equipped, while models released prior to December have no mention of this.

[asarge]

Unless they are just plain not usable, I'm getting the IC&E's and W&LE's at least. People bashed the F units, but those have been mighty reliable and great models.

[sundowner]

They look like they sit too high up on the trucks. The previous units did too, think it has to do with the trucks they are using.

Unlike the Kato's, they don't have the frame rails so they look taller than they actually are.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I am looking at these and I really can't see the flaws people are talking about. The vents and radiators are crisp and much better than the SD45-2. The paint looks extremely good. The drive train has its issues, but shouldn't we be pointing the finger at Atlas too? They seem to get a pass on their SD50/60/M and I never understood that. And free standing handrails man, free standing handrails.

About the only thing that annoyed me with the Canadian SD40-2 was that the end handrails had a little flash under the paint. Something I have also observed in Atlas engines though not to that extent. And this flaw seems to have been eliminated in these samples.

Now if only they would make a damn flexcoil side frame for the Conrail units. I could use half a dozen pair to update my SD50s as well.

[Leggy]

Looking at those samples I'm hoping IM retools the SD45-2s like that, much much improved over their earlier efforts.

[Sokramiketes]

About the only thing that annoyed me with the Canadian SD40-2 was that the end handrails had a little flash under the paint. Something I have also observed in Atlas engines though not to that extent. And this flaw seems to have been eliminated in these samples.

The banana'd side sills didn't bother you???   

[Ike the BN Freak]

Unlike the Kato's, they don't have the frame rails so they look taller than they actually are.

The early and snoots don't look like monster trucks like the IM ones either, and they don't have the frame rails.

[John]

Don't get me wrong. I don't think they look horrible. And, in fact, I'll probably end up with a fleet of them, but I wouldn't call them GOOOD.

you forgot the glue