Photo shows example SD40-2s. Exact details and paint schemes may vary from models announced on this sheet.

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

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. Standard on all models are Athearn’s superior paint colors, reliable RTR drive and LED lighting for years of trouble-free operation.

 

SD40-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Fully assembled and ready-to-run

• Separately applied wire grab irons

• Separately applied air tanks

• Coupler cut levers

• Rubber MU hoses

• Photo-etched stainless steel windshield wipers

• Fine scale handrails molded in engineering plastic

• DCC-ready 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

• Window packaging for easy viewing

• Interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage

• Minimum radius: 18”

• Recommended radius: 22”

 

SOUND EQUPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard, full feature Econmai sound decoder by Soundtraxx

• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality

• Engine startup sound sequence

• Dynamic brake sound or Non-Dynamic Straight to idle on F4

• Extra prime mover and horn sounds exclusive to Athearn spec decoder

• 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 NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

UP 1574 & 1923 will include rear ditch lights installed (not pictured).

These 8000 series SD40-2’s go great with Union Pacific DDA40Xs, also announced this month!

 

• #1574 Cab A/C unit, modern lightning stripe scheme with yellow frame stripe, front and rear operating ditch lights, hinged battery box doors, Nathan K3LA

• #1923 Cab A/C unit, modern lightning stripe scheme with yellow frame stripe, front and rear operating ditch lights, hinged battery box doors, Nathan K3LA “Baby Wings” on nose, dual operating strobe lights on cab (for RCL operation)

• #8003 & 8019 Early / as delivered paint scheme with small letters and numbers, Western Cullen beacon, chicken wire grilles, large front plow, rear-mounted horn, firecracker antenna, and cloth-style sun shades

• #8037 & 8040 Late paint scheme, large letters and numbers, xenon style beacon, corrugated grilles, large front plow, rear-mounted horn, firecracker antenna, and cloth-style sun shades

 

 

RCP&E SD40-2 FEATURES:

Operating front ditch lights, air horn and dynamic brake type as appropriate to road number prototype, hinged battery box doors, etched cab mirrors

 

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rapid City, Pierre and Eastern is a class II railroad owned by Genesee and Wyoming. They have trackage across much of South Dakota and southern Minnesota. The road was formed from the western portion of the former DM&E. Motive power includes several 2nd generation locomotives including the EMD SD40-2s depicted here.

 

ARZC SD40-2 FEATURES:

Former UP units, Q Fans, late exhaust with silencer, cab air conditioner, etched cab mirrors, MU hose pockets on rear pilots

 

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Arizona and California is a short line railroad running from Cadiz, CA, to Phoenix, AZ (partially over BNSF track). The line has been owned by Genesee and Wyoming since 2012. The current motive power roster includes a variety of second hand models including these SD40-2s.

 

CPR SD40-2 FEATURES:

• Former Soo Line

• “Dual Flags” scheme

• All-weather window on engineer’s side

• Operating cab-mounted strobe light (flashes on DCC+Sound version)

• Winterization hatch included in poly bag; modellers may apply to suit their needs

• No dynamic brakes

• Operating front ditch lights

 

Ferromex SD40-2 FEATURES:

• Operating front ditch lights

• Early production body details: chicken-wire grills, no anticlimbers, early ECAFB, 81” nose

• 3 units in former NdeM blue and orange scheme with Ferromex road numbers

• 3 units in latest Ferromex grey and red scheme

• Not all units have been repainted and both paint schemes are found operating together.

 

Burlington Northern SD40-2 FEATURES:

• Etched cab mirrors

• Operating front ditch lights

• Late hinged battery box doors

• Retrofitted with front and rear MU receptacles

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #7802 & 7817 Leslie RS3L horn mounted on long hood

• #7812 Front strobe ditch lights, flash when horn is blown (on sound equipped version); horn mounted on cab

 

Onieda & Western SD40-2 FEATURES:

• Built to L&N specifications

• Hood-side mounted bell

• Front and rear MU hose trays

• Leslie RS5T horn on cab

• Hood-side numbers (added after delivery) Style varies per prototype road number

• Future announcements of matching cars coming soon

 

Athearn is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022, but we decided to start the celebration a bit early! This limited-edition SD40-2 is a fitting tribute to our brand. The SD40-2 was originally released by Athearn in 1983, and the model has received many revisions and improvements over the years. The Athearn 75th anniversary SD40-2 #1947, “City of Compton”, commemorates 75 years of Athearn products as well as the long time location of the Athearn production factory. This release is absolutely a one-time-only item, so make sure to preorder yours!

 

Order Due Date: September 25, 2020

Anticipated Delivery Date: September 2021

 

Looking for more Athearn HO Scale Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

 

Looking for more Athearn HO Scale items? Click here!

---