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

I'm not certain, but I know at one point AZL was saying they were going to attempt ditchlights on certain versions of the SD40-2.

I don't believe any of the models at the NTS had ditchlights, but those were likely preproduction, which may not be indicative of reality. Also they are roads that didn't have ditchlights to start with, so maybe they just aren't using that specific set of detail changes for these particular models.

Regarding BNSF, there were no SD40-2's with H2 applied.   Still really bummed we're not getting an H1, yet another BNSF head-scratcher from AZL.

We are working on a second order of SD40-2s and SD40T-2 with production next year. Will consist of some paint schemes we did not get around to and probably a couple of patches too. Yes, BNSF Heritage is already on our list

YES! AND BNSF Patched BN Whiteface!

That is NOT a dumb question. The answer is NO. We are transitioning to decoders that can be installed with 4 screws - one at each corner. We hope to have two common designs (hood width, and full width) but there are challenges due to various locations of LEDs for lights.

The older drop-in design will stay for locomotives that already use that design.

One key reason for the early common design was to make it easier for DCC producers to support Z scale. A single design allowed DCC to reach our entire product line. Z scale is growing. It is now easier for producers to make more bespoke products. We can increase the reliability of the decoder and performance of the lights with more individual designs. The market is large enough to support this now.

I think there were some "Tiger Striped" versions as well?

 
SHhhhh, don't distract AZL, they need to focus.    

-There was only one Tiger Striped SD40-2, number 8002.   It existed with the orange and black tiger stripes from 1985 until around 1991, but had two different experimental tiger stripe schemes during that time.  Of note, initially the stripes wrapped around the entire nose--front and sides--which was corrected later with the sides being green.
-There were three Tiger Striped SD60's. They were only on BN for less than 2 years I believe, although the scheme (patched) hung around for several years running as a lease unit for SOO Line...I think until '89 or '90.
-The rest  of the "tigers" were GP50's.  Almost all of these got the whiteface scheme by '90.  I've been trying to map out the repaint schedule since I model 1989 in N, but it's difficult as photos get mislabeled online.
-There were plenty of variants during this time of various s schemes BN was testing to improve road crossing visibility.  Of note two GP50's had orange and white stripes vs orange and black.   They were nicknamed "creamsickles" in reference to the popular ice cream & sherbert bar with a similar color scheme.  

I would say we're safe, surely AZL would do something like the whiteface scheme that was on well over 100 BN SD40-2's before the one-off.   But that sounds exactly like something we'll end up with.

I'm less worried about the patch jobs, as they're easy enough to do after the fact.   But having the base schemes like standard BN white stripes and BN whiteface is big.  And BNSF H1, but I digress.