The info at the Intermountain site indicates some have working ditch lights while others do not. Indicates the UP units do have working ditch lights. Not sure why the video of the NS unit has the lights off. Daryl
How do they run? I currently have a pair of sd40 from Kato from at least a decade ago, which I made DCC, but no sound. If sound is the next big thing, a factory installed system will be much more fun than milling frames, pinching wires, and installing speakers; and SD40 is probably what I need most of; but how do these intermountain mechanisms compare to my katos (and my atlas gp60's and sd26 and...)? Cheers!
I have 2 KATO AC70E I am installing Digitrax SDN144K1E sound cards in but even then I don't think a comparison is fair enough since AC70E is a more powerful locomotive traditionally than an SD-40-2. Will be interesting to compare the Intermountain Union Pacific #2964 to this line up that I already operate: **My Engines with sound in Best Operational to Sound order in my opinion. (All BLI best value but the BLI Steam has the least amount of pull force, Athearn F45’s are strongest pull force, Atlas switcher really doesn't compare in the yard, Bachmann has the most trouble operating…lots of finger pushing-I have attempted 2 returns and have left my self to just accept contacts are engineered trouble and finger push mandatory when required) Broadway Limited 1650 EMD E6 A/B, (A-Unit Powered with Sound, B-Unit Unpowered) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #15L/15A Broadway Limited 1654 EMD E6 A, (Powered with Sound) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #12L Broadway Limited 1655 EMD E6 B, (Powered with Sound) Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe (Warbonnet) #12A Broadway Limited 3257 EMD E8 A, (Powered with Sound) Union Pacific #931 Broadway Limited 3078 M1b 4-8-2, Post-War Version Unlettered (DCC and Sound), Pennsylvania Railroad Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5903 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5919 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5925 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Athearn 22464 EMD F45, Santa Fe #5932 (DCC & Tsunami Sound) Atlas #40002164 S-2 Locomotive w/ DCC Sound - Union Pacific # 1106 Bachmann 66454 EMD SD45 Diesel Locomotive, Santa Fe #5320 (DCC Sound Value On Board)
The first sound equipped locomotives have arrived on the CSX Hanover Subdivision ! 20170107_173035[2] by Adam Henry, on Flickr 20170107_173017[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr Short run-by video, click on picture to go to Flickr to play 20170107_172346[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr Shut down sequence, click on picture to go to Flickr to play 20170107_172937[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr Will need to adjust the sound volume down, turbine is a little overpowering after a while
The UP version has ditch lights, per IM website. http://www.intermountain-railway.com/n/html/69327.htm I have CSX versions, and I do not think they have capability to flash. There is only a single LED on the board for the ditch lights. The board has 2 LED"s on each end, one on top of board, one on bottom of the board. 20170107_192919[1] by Adam Henry, on Flickr
Thanks for the video and pics, very nice. I'll just be performing a simple test when my UP arrives since I am starting the new layout and there are no more operations to test from old layout. Suppose I'll just stick some flex tracks together to test.
Thank you for the info and pics. I will be receiving my UP units this week sometime. How smoothly do they run compared to KAto, Fox Valley, et.al.? Daryl
The big difference is the motor not the gearing, if you install a Atlas SS motor in a Kato loco it will run just like an Atlas loco.
I can't wait to get mine on Thursday. I ordered Santa Fe 5075, which did not have ditch lights or a Stratolight.
I turned the volume setting down on the prime mover. It is default at 128. I cut it back to 50. Much better.
Arrived Today!! UP #2964 Pulled out the temp test track since I'm in the middle of the New Layout Build. *Working Directional Ditch Lights*
I received one of mine yesterday. Loco runs pretty good, 1 smph - 65-70 smph. Rear coupler a little high, wipers needed adjusted, prime mover sound is crazy, not even close. Looks like I need to make a lot of CV adjustments.
SD being Special Duty, probably local. This was all I could find about service today-2013 not that long ago when this was articled: The last SD40-2 delivered to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing for railroads in Canada until 1988, Mexico until February 1986, and Brazil until October 1989. As of 2013, nearly all built still remain in service. Found this on my road # 2964. I think this was still in operation as of about 2010. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2316609
UP still rosters a number of SD40Ns which are rebuilt SD40-2 used in yard and local service. They look the same for the most part but the paint scheme is different than on these Intermountain models. Here's a picture of two on a transfer one in the Chicago area: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eje665/17175602980/