I was wanting to pick up a Athearn RTR SD40T-2, but before I did, I wanted to ask the owners how the overall performance and detail of these locos are. They are $80 at Trainworld. Thanks.
Mine run great. I run on DC. The detail is very good and is comparable to atlas. I like Athearn products as well as Atlas.
I-5…
I have several of the SD40T-2 and a couple of the 45T-2 models from the Athearn. despite their being from the R-T-R series, and not Genesis models, they’re quite good models and the think the 40T-2 underwent extensive re-tooling a few years back, but I may be wrong about the timeframe.
Anyway, they are a very good representation of the real engine and with the exception of the truck spacing, I think they are well done, and are a good value for the money.
I’ve added the appropriate ditchlights to my Ex-SP units but the models done as delivered, come with the light packages and mostly correct details.
The use the typical Athearn drivetrain, which has a proven track record, and is easy to service or replace -a key advantage with Athearn products, with few exceptions.
I would recommend them to anyone wanting a Tunnel Motor design engine.
I have been hoping for a long time now, that another manufacturer would come out with an even better model of the 40T-2, but so far it dosen’t look like that will happen.
Good luck and I hope this informatin helps.
HeritageFleet1 /HF1
I have four of the newer RTR and they keep getting better with each production run. the first two I had add some details ( hoses, couple actuator bars, and fold down walkways, MU receptacles). the second run had all the hose which was nice (I still had add the walkways and the MU receptacles). The last one I got I haven’t detailed yet as I haven’t had time and it still needs to go to the paint shop for weathering. These unit run well and I have about 100 or so hours on them. Overall I am thoroughly impressed with these units and their performance.
These units also have enough room for a good sized speaker above the see through air intakes. I have put Tsunami sound decoders in all but the newest one (I have to get one for it still). Its a fairily easy sounds installation as the weight that is there is held onto the frame by two screws and it easily removable.
Three of these unit lashed together were able to move a 78 car (NMRA weighted) coal train up a 2.25% grade with no problems.
Here is a picture of two of the units i have weathered up.
Most of my main line power locomotives are Athearn SD 40, 45, -2 T-2 ect… and they are great haulers. It was easy to install decoders in them and overall they are my favorite locomotives. I have one on order right now (an SD 45T-2) from tony’s and it should be here any day. Tony’s is going to put in a decoder and a sound system. ( My wife is getting it for me for Christmas so I’ll just let tony’s do all the work this time … 
By the way, HI CHUCK! …chuck
The SD40T-2 indeed went through a major retooling prior to the RTR version being announced in mid-2007. Major improvements were made to the shell including the see through rear hood air intakes, improved top rear end grills that now have the slot between the front and back sets, see through db fans, correct nose signal light added (a first for D&RGW fans!), correct snow plow, correct fuel tank and many other details. the mecanism was also upgraded and made DCC quick plug ready. After the first run the pilots had coupler lift bars and MU hoses added and to me, the D&RGW tunnel motor rivals most of the brass versions in look and detail. The only down side of course is the details are fragile.
IMO, the Athearn tunnel motors represent the best value on the market currently in terms of plastic diesels that have a lot of prototypically correct details applied. For fans of the SP and D&RGW, they are totally awesome. I really don’t see how any manufact