On the right side of the page you can click on the link.
Even though the writing indicates that it was updated 11/24/04 I used to see the old photo, not these newer ones!
That is a very sharp looking locomotive! Beautiful paint jobs in the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific schemes. The only modification I would make is to drill out the “class lights” and install L.E.D lights in the holes.
The sound sample is nice with the diesel definitly sounding like the EMD 16 cylinder 645 series. The horn sounds very much like a Leslie S3 or S3L. (You can check out 5 Chime Horn Consultants at http://atsf.railfan.net/airhorns/ and click on the samples for comparisons)
This unit looks like it’s going to be a winner! I’m planning on getting one. From what I’ve noticed on my friend’s layout, BLI units seem to run and sound even better on DCC. Looking forward to it!
Funny thing about this is that back in the 70s as a teen I remember that quite a few of us (me too) used to “rag” on SD40-2s and even call them MUTANTS! Especially with those huge porches! After having established their reputations as tough, reliable fast haulers they became the most popular 6 axle units in American railroading and suddenly “they started to look very attractive”. [;)]
Darn Railfans! We sure can be fickle! [:p][8D][:D][8)]
I totally agree, Antonio. The BLI SD40-2 is one SHARP locomotive. I may have to get one, even though it’s to new for my layout. In UP paint, of course![:D]
I guess I’m the only one (so far) that doesn’t like the sound. I’ve heard hundreds of SD40-2’s, and not one sounded a thing like the one in the BLI sound clip. I want to hear the loco for myself though, since the sound clip was more than likely compressed.
All BLI needs to do is get the colours right on the BN unit. As far as I’m aware they shouldn’t have green on the walkways or the areas below. Oh and only the ends of the coupler lift bars were painted white.
The horn location is a bit suspect as well. BN units used to have a beacon above the lights so I think the horn should be further back.
Personally I’d rather have a model of the BN unit with the later style radiator grills. THe type on this model were only used on 10% or less of their fleet .
You bring up a good point but part of the problem is that locomotives like the SD40-2 came in various configurations with regards to the Horn Type, Horn Location, MU Hoses, etc, BLI will use one style. Then it’s up to the modeler to make modifications.
With paint schemes, we have to remember that often times when a manufacturer receives “an official” paint scheme for a model, it’s often from a prototype railroad’s archives or a historical society. What happens is that the railroad might have proposed or planned to use the scheme and changed it at the last minute. This happens a lot in the transportation industry, not just with railroads. Used to drive me crazy when I worked in the transit body shop—managers would bicker over little changes here and there----my body shop crew wanted to pull their hairs out
BLI also keeps horns generalized for each diesel line. CSX and NS SD40-2s, for example, normally use the K5 series horns. But again, it’s much cheaper for BLI to keep the models rather generalized with the most common features. If they did start to custom-taylor their units, the prices would definitly climb up $$.
This is why I very much appreciate the choices offered by Soundtraxx. Still though, the BLI diesels, IMHO, are very nice and yes when you hear one up close, in front of you…the sound is impressive!
I can live with the BLI SD40-2’s horn as it is prototype, just not to every railroad that owned these units (which I think was almost every Class 1 railroad back in the 70s!)
I checked BLI’s site this morning and they have posted pictures of the RSD-15! Wow! I really liked them! Especially the high hood unit. I might have to add a couple of these to my roster! Anyone know what year they started appearing on the Santa Fe??
I wish BLI would post sound samples for the other locomotives, including the RSD15. When idling, Alco diesel locomotives sound like Harley Davison bikes on steroids!!
I check the BLI website regularly. No sound byte for the Alco. Guess we’ll to wait until they’re in the store shelves. Hopefully your LHS is as friendly as mine and the manager will demonstrate the unit on a test track. ( I would demand this anyway if I’m shelling out a couple of hundred dollars for a BLI!)
I’m sure though, that we won’t be dissappointed! QSI has really proved themselves!
BLI’s SD40-2 has been described on another site as a $50 model with a $200 sound system in it. My point being is that you get what you pay for. Sound being one thing and an excellent representation of the prototype being the other. I am saving my money on this one.
I just wish BLI would make a SD40 T-2 Tunnel Motor for SP and Rio Grande. I know Athearn is getting ready to release one, but I don’t think it is going to have sound, and even if it does, it will be the cheap MRC decoder and not a QSI.
$50 model? Well, I don’t know. I guess that since I grew up during the time period when Athearn Blue Box and Atlas Roco powered units were the standard, today’s P2K and BLI diesels look beautiful to me. In the past, by the time a modeler added the additional body detailing that today’s BLI and P2K diesels come with new in the box, more than $50 and a lot of time was spent.
Is it just me, or do some of the details look a bit large for the prototype, such as the stanchions and the uncoupler bars? I must agree though they are very impressive looking, now only if they did it in CN colours.
That is quite a lovely locomotive–but I’m with Cacole, I wi***hey’d come out with a tunnel motor for SP or Rio Grande. Unfortunately, the era that I model hadn’t even heard of them yet, but I was always impressed watching the real ones. Unfortunately, I’d have to do some hard explaining as to why the Tunnel Motor was hauling a train of old wooden PFE and ART reefers–
But that’s sure a handsome little devil, isn’t it?
Tom
The detailing of the BL:I SD40-2 reminds me of the late GSB SD40-2 from twenty plus years ago. For the price they are charging BLI owes the purchaser a decent shell. I would note that Atlas can get it right with their first effort in a sound unit in theTrain Master. Why can’t BLI? Because they are selling you a sound unit, all their effort is in the sound and little went into the shell. If you want to stand in line to buy a piece of junk that makes beautiful noise that’s your choice. [8D]
Stand in line…to buy a piece of junk… Geez! A little harsh but everyone here is entitled to their opinion!
SSW, I was a model railroad back then too.
O.K Now, I wanted to give you the beneift of the doubt.
Dismissing the fact that it has sound, I went to the BLI site and looked at the photos of the units “Closely”. Just from the shots we have: See Thru grills, See Thru radiator fans, MU Stand, Air Hoses, Stanchion Chain on the platforms, Drop Step Plates, Seperate Grab Irons, Truck Detailing, Snow Plow……THIS BODY IS A PIECE OF JUNK??
Now let’s drill out the class lights and add white L.E.Ds. Decal those number boards. Take an airbrush and weather the underframe: Seems like you have a nice looking diesel! [8D]
Oh, now let’s throw in the sound…Ah! Mama Mia! She’s-a-spicy!
Agewise, you and I are not too many years apart. You’ll remember that back then many of us would spend MANY HOURS over a period of days (or months in my case ) painstakingly adding these types of details to HO units!
I still must respectfully disagree with you. The unit does not look bad! And certainly better than the GSB unit. As for beautiful noises, well to each his own. Since I was constantly railfanning years back, the beautiful noises from the BLI units do bring back very fond memories and