Long in the rumor bin, Athearn has finally offcicially announced their greatly upgraded SD40T-2. It will come in three #s each in Rio Grande and Susquehanna.
http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/061207/SD40T-2_new_061207.jpg
ETA is Oct. 2007
Other than digging up the cash, my only problem is updating the layout to 1975 to accomodate these. The Rio Grande #s are 5371, 5362, and 5357, all with the 81" nose.
These will be a sell out for sure. I have already notified my pusher to pre-order me all 3 numbers. I’ll probably buy every number offered! It appears they should get us a low nose light from the detail notes and this will be a first in plastic!
This fall will prove to be expensive with the Atheran Thrall gons (PSCX) coming in Sept and the tunnel motors a month later! Yes, start saving!
Try… you’ll need to update your layout to 1983/84 to accomodate these because according to Jim Eager they are fitted with PTC boxes which make them correct for after 1983! Gotta love it!
Gee, I model UP so I guess I’m outa luck…Hummm
Well, it seems UP still has 126 SD40-2T’s on the roster including 87 UP, 2 SP, 9 LTEX, 4 HLCX, 23 GECX and what’s this? Yes, ONE D&RGW (number 5371). They also have 66 SD40-2TR’s. Guess I’m in the market after all. [(-D]
I’m sure it will be better than the Athearn RTR SD40-2 I got few months ago. I’m still making that fit to run and it lacks most details.
Tilden
Look a bit deeper, they have also announced the model in UP and SP. 123" nose for UP and the 88" nose for SP.
Thanks. Now I don’t have to wait, I can buy the D%RGW now and still justify the others later! What a great hobby. [(-D]
WHOO-HOO! judging by the drawings, it looks as thought they might have the nose headlight and the 3000 GL. fuel tank, but it’s extremely hard to tell. See-through grills! Great day to be alive!
As far as updating, IIRC those specific units where built in 76’. I’m not sure DGRW even had 78’ nosed T’s. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong, after I’ve gone and dug up my roster book.[;)] Athearns’ just about has DGRW’s diesel roster covered now. And most of the rest someone else has models of. HHMMM, sounds like it’s time to get out of my armchair and start modeling again.
Jim Eager pointed out the following: “this first run will come with the added HTC cabinet
ahead of the traction motor blower duct installed, so be sure that
you want them this way if you order them. If not, wait for a future
release.”
IIRC, these represent versions used after 1983 or so.
WOO HOO, Rio Grande light package!!! Huzza! HO RTR SD40T-2/81" Nose, D&RGW #5371 |
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Key Features - Fully assembled and ready for your layout - Upgraded tooling - Separately applied wire grab irons - Separately applied air tanks - Etched see-through side grilles - Celcon handrails - Equipped with Quick Plug DCC technology - Prototype specific details applied - Rio Grande light package |
Detailed Information Prototype specific details that may be applied to this model: - Nose length - Grilles - Fans - Battery access doors - Exhaust stack - Bell - Anticlimbers and snowplow - Headlights - Fuel tank - Dynamic brakes - Electrical cabinet/Air Filter Box - Air Horn - Truck sideframes |
If Athearn keeps coming out with stuff like this they are gonna be really in business. They got a number of models that I want myslef that they have recently announced.
-Smoke
This photo shows the PTC cabinet next to the blower that is featured on this first run of D&RGW SD40T-2’s according to Jim Eager on the Rio Grande Yahoo Groups email list. That means these models are correct for after 1983.
