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
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
