my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific SD40T-2

HO Scale Athearn 'snoot' SD40T-2 Model by Stefano Franceschi of Italy	HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Jos van der Kolk of the Netherlands.	HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Ryan Martin
HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Ken Perry	HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Cliff West	HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Ken Perry
	HO Scale Athearn SD40T-2 Model by Cliff West

The post 1980 build Tunnel Motors came equipped with a 'Q' exhaust silencer to meet noise pollution requirements. This required a modified blister at the front of the dynamic brake, (I think for the dynamic brake contactors).

In HO Scale, this part used to be made by Yellowstone, and later Warren's, (or the other way around...). With the release of the upgraded 'snoot' SD40-2 from Athearn, this modified dynamic brake blister is now available as a spare part, allowing you to easily and correctly model a post 1980 build Tunnel Motor.

The Athearn part number for this blister is: #45040

Modeling choices at the moment are:

• For N Scale:
  • in the mid 1980's Key imported from Taiwan a model of the SD40T-2. It had truck mounted pilots, but was otherwise a fine model. It was produced in undec, DRGW and SP.
  • Overland Models bras
  • Intermountain have announced an SD40T-2

• For HO Scale:
  • Athearn has both long and short nose models available.

• For S Scale:
  • ?

• For O Scale:
  • Central Locomotive Works

References:

• Railroad Model Craftsman, May, '75 Page 33 - Plans.
• Model Railroader, Jan, '85 Page 100 - SSW Athearn Superdetail.
• Railroad Model Craftsman, Jun, '87 Page 67, - Athearn Selective detailing.
• RailModel Journal, Mar '94, Page 42 - Diesel Detail by Detail, SP SD40T-2.

N Scale information kindly submitted by Randall Jacobs.