The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD’s Dash 2 series, responding to competing products from GE and ALCO. Reliability and versatility of the 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 made it the best-selling model in EMD’s history and the standard of the industry for several decades after its introduction. The SD40-2 was an improvement over the SD40, with modular electronic control systems similar to those of the experimental SD45X and DDA40X. The last SD40-2 delivered to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing for railroads in Canada until 1988.

Features:

• Fully assembled and ready-to-run
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Separately applied air tanks
• Coupler cut levers
• Rubber MU hoses
• Photo-etch stainless steel windshield wipers
• Fine scale handrails molded in engineering plastic
• Non-sound version features 21-pin NEM DCC plug
• See-through dynamic brake and radiator fans
• Exhaust stack
• Frame mounted bell (unless noted)
• Detailed 4000 gallon fuel tank (unless different capacity is noted)
• HTC or Flexicoil-C trucks (per prototype)
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• Highly-detailed, injection molded body featuring new tooling
• Painted and printed for realistic decoration
• See through cab windows
• Bi-directional LED lighting
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• Minimum radius: 18"
• Recommended radius: 22"

DCC w/Sound Features:

• Onboard Econami sound decoder by Soundtraxx
• Engine startup sound sequence
• Dynamic brake sound or Non-Dynamic Straight to idle on F4
• Extra prime mover and horn sounds exclusive to Athearn version
• Multiple bell sound files user configurable via Configuration Value (CV)
• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
• Excellent Slow speed control
• Current Keeper ready with on board expansion plug
• Operating lighting functions with F5 and/or F6
• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
• Many functions can be altered via CV changes

Road Specific Features:

BNSF has recently began rebuilding their surplus SD40-2 locomotives into locomotives more suitable for road switcher service. Many were equipped as Remote Control Locomotives (RCL) and derated to 2300 horsepower, basically equivilant to a rebuilt SD39-2. These locomotives see a variety of service most typically in transfer/hauler service or as a yard trimmer, making up or breaking up long trains.

• Corrugated radiator grills
• Front anticlimber
• Extended range dynamic brakes
• Welded ECAFB
• Electronic bell
• Blanked cab headlight; headlight moved to nose
• Cab air conditioner
• Sinclair antennas with ground planes and conduits per prototype
• Front EMD low plow
• Rear spare knuckle holders
• Illuminated cab-mounted strobe( effect on DCC/sound version)
• 123” nose with brake wheel and blanked class lights
• Newly-designed Nathan K3LA horn on triangular bracket
• Cab arm rests
  
• Era: 2010+