AZL EMD SD40-2 - SD40-2W - SD40T-2

EMD SD40-2

Let us start at the beginning. A family of almost 5000 diesels were produced from late 1971 until 1989. The majority of the SD40-2s are still around. That is almost 50 years on US rails!
The list of original and secondary SD40-2 operators is substantial and rest assure, we will produce the majority. We will even offer original versions and later versions for some Class 1 railroads.

How far along are we on this project. This is day 1! Yes we have gathered info for years, but today is when it starts at our end. Exciting! So how long will it take? 2-3 years under normal circumstances and that will also be the lifespan of this thread.

Now, what type of options are we planning? Basically everything that makes sense like:
-SD40-2 type: Phase 1 and Phase 2
-Nose: 81", 88", 116" and High
-Headlights: Cab mounted, Nose mounted and Cab & Nose mounted
-Outside Brake: Ratchet and Wheel
-Dynamic Brake: With or without
-Bell: Various placements
-Airhorn: Various types and placements
-Snowplow: With or without
-Cab Sunshades: With or without
-Fuel Tank: Standard and Long Range
-Roof Antennas: Various types and placements
-Beacon Light: With or without
-Roof AC: Various types where appropriate
-Radiator: Open Grid or Corrugated
-Bay Window(s): Where appropriate
-Snow Hatch for Radiator fans: Where appropriate

And this may just be the start of options. We are presently also looking at different cabs and trucks.

We will innovate over past locomotives were we can. More on this in later posts.

Oh, one important thing. Have not told our manufacturer that we are going ahead with the SD40-2 project. That I will do now!

Stay healthy!

Since this is like day 3 into the process, no options are decided and will not be for months to come. It is a lengthy discussion with our factory on what is possible and at what cost.
But we will consider working ditch lights for the modern SD40-2 fleet. And we will also take a look at the possibility of having a SD40-2W (Safety Cab).
It is all about having a flexible core mold with numerous options.
Stay Healthy!

Its Day 30 already. We have submitted a Purchase Order and that is now confirmed at the factory. Next week we shipping a 14" x 12" x 12" box with collected research materials.
Then I expect little activity for the next 2-3 months. Typically how these projects evolve. Stay healthy!

We hope to have the first CAD drawings just after the Summer. Will share as soon as they become available.
In the mean time we can reveal the most likely railroads to be included in the first run. And no surprise we have the usual suspects:
UP, ATSF, BN, C&NW, MILW, Conrail, CP, CSX, BNSF, NS, CN (IC) and B&O Chessie. We are also considering L&N, SOO, WC, RI, FEC and Southern.
The second run will include several smaller railroads and different paint scheme variations from the Class 1 railroads.
Stay Healthy!

This is called the long wait. Very typical for this stage of product development. The SD40-2 project is complex with all the variations, thus development will take time. Appreciate the patience.

Nothing from the factory at the moment. As I said back in November, this is a typical slow state of locomotive development. But I will ask for an update soon and hopefully have something to communicate. Same story with the SW1000 / SW1500

SD40-2 Isometric.pdf (270.78 KB)

We got our first rough 3D drawing. I will use a couple of days with precision calipers.
One thing is optimal Z scale accuracy the other thing is operational functionality.
Image is a CP SD40-2 made by EMD not GMD