New for 2021: Sunset 3rd Rail, or Sunset for us 2-Rail guys is making another attempt at the SD40-2. Get your orders in asap so this model can be produced. UNDECORATED is now an option. My suggestion is to add in the comments that you'll take the Undec if your choice of road isn't produced. www.3rdrail.com
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@Brad Kowal posted:New for 2021: Sunset 3rd Rail, or Sunset for us 2-Rail guys is making another attempt at the SD40-2. Get your orders in asap so this model can be produced. UNDECORATED is now an option. My suggestion is to add in the comments that you'll take the Undec if your choice of road isn't produced. www.3rdrail.com
Theres now 24 roads/paint schemes offered plus “undecorated”. This should help the model get better traction. Time to step up folks !!! Gonna finally happen.
Scott has just added the tunnel motors for the SD40 on the website
i am going for the D&RGW tunnel motors
copied from the 3 rail section
Hi Folks,
I confirmed today that we will be making tooling for both the SD40-2 and SD40T-2. So SP, D&RGW, UP will be Tunnel Motors with longer Chassis, Tank and Rear with accurate details.
Please reserve your "TUNNEL MOTORS" at the link below.
Cor
@moonlicht posted:Scott has just added the tunnel motors for the SD40 on the website
i am going for the D&RGW tunnel motors
copied from the 3 rail section
Hi Folks,
I confirmed today that we will be making tooling for both the SD40-2 and SD40T-2. So SP, D&RGW, UP will be Tunnel Motors with longer Chassis, Tank and Rear with accurate details.
Please reserve your "TUNNEL MOTORS" at the link below.
Cor
Well these additional - three Popular Roads should and some good numbers to the run. 👍
Will the SP tunnel motors have the SP lighting package on both ends?
@ES44AC posted:Will the SP tunnel motors have the SP lighting package on both ends?
Did the real ones? I always thought that, depending on the era, many units did NOT have the full "SP Light Package" on the rear end.
@Hot Water posted:Did the real ones? I always thought that, depending on the era, many units did NOT have the full "SP Light Package" on the rear end.
I'm not too sure to be honest. I do know the SD40T-2's were at least delivered with the full package on the front and rear, and the SP started removing them (at least from the front) in the late 80's. I can't find any pictures but it's entirely possible they took them off of the rear first. I haven't found any pictures of speed lettering and the extra lighting coexisting - pretty sure they were all gone by that point.
Where do you see that the Southern Pacific units are Tunnel Motors ?
Nothing on the reservation pages mention Tunnel .......
Yves
@ES44AC posted:I'm not too sure to be honest. I do know the SD40T-2's
OK, now that's another new one on me, i.e. I did not know the SP ever ordered "SD40T-2" units. I thought only the D&RGW ordered those, while SP ordered nothing but "SD45T-2" units. I'm into SP steam locomotives, but I don't follow the diesel units much.
were at least delivered with the full package on the front and rear, and the SP started removing them (at least from the front) in the late 80's. I can't find any pictures but it's entirely possible they took them off of the rear first. I haven't found any pictures of speed lettering and the extra lighting coexisting - pretty sure they were all gone by that point.
@Yves posted:Where do you see that the Southern Pacific units are Tunnel Motors ?
Nothing on the reservation pages mention Tunnel .......
Yves
Web page revised/updated. Re-visit and see.
@Hot Water posted:
SP had both the 40 and 45 tunnel motor variants, including the extended hood “snoot” nose on the front of the 40’s which I believe housed equipment to allow them to run as radio controlled helpers.
Does anyone know the minimum radius for 2R SD40-2s? I'm afraid my 36" curves won't cut it.
EDIT: I just emailed Scott @ 3rd rail.
@Tim Mc posted:Does anyone know the minimum radius for 2R SD40-2s? I'm afraid my 36" curves won't cut it.
EDIT: I just emailed Scott @ 3rd rail.
3 rail Requires min 072 - 2 rail will definitely need more than that !!!!!
@Tim Mc posted:Does anyone know the minimum radius for 2R SD40-2s? I'm afraid my 36" curves won't cut it.
EDIT: I just emailed Scott @ 3rd rail.
You'll need a minimum 48" radius curve for this model.
Thanks...reservation sent in. I won't be able to use them on my office shelf layout (only 36"r curves), but planning for the future "real" layout. Or, maybe add another level to the office.
Glad to see so much interest in this project, very exciting
I have the CP version in 3 rail reserved. If everything goes well with that model and Scott decides on a second run, I will consider grabbing the SOO line to go with it
@catnap posted:You'll need a minimum 48" radius curve for this model.
If Modern 6 axle MTH scale wheel diesels will negotiate 36"r as they do, I would be surprised if these SD40-2's won't do the same. In HO the Scale Trains SD40-2s will negotiate a minimum of 18"r which would translate to 32.6"r scaled up to O scale. Maybe a medium shank coupler could be required, but I'm willing to bet they will run on 36"r. Scott doesn't usually do min radius testing for each model. Usually he gives a conservative estimate. That's been my experience.
MTH uses China drive. Sometimes 2-rail has constraints other than wheelbase.
The Horizontal motor, and drive shafts, from the fuel tank, are much different, from the basic, two vertical can motor drive system, most are familiar with. One of the last 6 axle offerings was the SD9. A very nice model. IMO, Mike CT
Edit/Add: Also note, that even though this model is three rail, the wheel flanges are not proto-typical three rail (large flanges), that inhibit de-rail, on tight curves. IMO, Mike CT.
@Mike CT posted:The Horizontal motor, and drive shafts, from the fuel tank, are much different, from the basic, two vertical can motor drive system, most are familiar with. One of the last 6 axle offerings was the SD9. A very nice model. IMO, Mike CT
Edit/Add: Also note, that even though this model is three rail, the wheel flanges are not proto-typical three rail (large flanges), that inhibit de-rail, on tight curves. IMO, Mike CT.
If the drives are the same and the drive is forcing the trucks off of the tracks in 2 rail and the flanges are the only thing keeping them on the tracks in 3 rail, then that would suggest binding of some sort and not desirable in either case. The range in which the trucks can negotiate freely should be the same in both.
Fixed pilots, couplers and 3 axles per truck stand out to me, also. Sunset rightly seems to cover their butts on what they say any model can negotiate.
Scott, in response to a question, emailed me and said all the Diesels work on 054 track and 072 turnouts. HTH
Paul
@ES44AC posted:Will the SP tunnel motors have the SP lighting package on both ends?
Send pictures to Jonathan/Scott to show what you're talking about.
RE: SPSF Kodachromes,
Haven't seen any interest in Kodachrome sd40 anything so far so... I had to reserve three (the minimum) Kodachrome SDP45s with Midwestern to get them on the todo list.
@rdunniii posted:Send pictures to Jonathan/Scott to show what you're talking about.
RE: SPSF Kodachromes,
Haven't seen any interest in Kodachrome sd40 anything so far so... I had to reserve three (the minimum) Kodachrome SDP45s with Midwestern to get them on the todo list.
Well Scott has said the factory is wanting only 20 “schemes” for a run. The web page currently shows 25 schemes. Sounds like 5 need to be cut. Shouldn’t this become a “cut” to begin shedding to get to 20 ? I have a Frisco reservation. This road is difficult to reach minimums. If it’s not going to fly, cut it so I can consider reassigning the reservation to another road.
Perhaps the next run could include Genesee and Wyomings Rapid City Pierre and Eastern as a roadname choice" Or a low hood Norfolk Southern "horsehead: scheme......
I would be down for some ATSF SD45-2's. They could also do the famous ATSF Bi-Centennial paint scheme.
https://www.railpictures.net/v...d=402527&nseq=27
Not really a whole lot of tooling changes needed so a minimal investment in tooling and you get a completely different loco with a decent array of road names to choose from. The locomotive frame, drive, and most of the upper body are the same. The only part that would need to be retooled is the radiator section and the fuel tanks (for the Erie Lackawanna and EL descendants version).
http://original.trainlife.com/.../983/photo_id/390356
Original owners were:
ATSF (Yellow Bonnet and Bi-Centennial)
Clinchfield
Erie Lackawanna
Seaboard Coast Line
Follow-on owners:
Conrail
Norfolk Southern
CSX
BNSF
NS even repainted one SD45-2 back to EL colors so you can run a modern train with an EL painted loco
https://trn.trains.com/news/ne...ire/2015/09/30-el-ns
There are plenty of road name options for both young and old alike 
Scott
@SPSF posted:The SD40-2 shares the same chassis as the SD45-2.....there's Hope:
(My Photo)
I would be in for some Conrail SD45-2's too!
@TrainBub posted:We Scott has said the factory is wanting only 20 “schemes” for a run. The web page currently shows 25 schemes. Sounds like 5 need to be cut. Shouldn’t this become a “cut” to begin shedding to get to 20 ? I have a Frisco reservation. This road is difficult to reach minimums. If it’s not going to fly, cut it so I can consider reassigning the reservation to another road.
You will be notified when reservations close and be given the choice of a variation that will be done or have your reservation cancelled. That stops you from changing your reservation to something else that might also be cancelled.
@rdunniii posted:You will be notified when reservations close and be given the choice of a variation that will be done or have your reservation cancelled. That stops you from changing your reservation to something else that might also be cancelled.
Thats a very good method !!! Thanks.
I can’t keep track of threads in the forums - what and where I’ve read about production order. I’ve seen Scott say EAE1, Krauss Maffei, SD40-2 to be done this year. I think I saw Jonathan say he’s started “detailing” roads for for SD40-2. With F3s in production, does this mean the SD40-2s will be after the F3s ? I haven’t caught any indications prep work has begun for the E’s or KM. I’m just wondering so to begin planning My budget.
Cheers !!! 😬
TrainBub
@prrhorseshoecurve posted:I would be in for some Conrail SD45-2's too!
The SD45-2 strikes me as a great idea, so count me in for some Santa Fe yellow bonnets. (I might even spring for a bicentennial version, though it's not quite my era).
@TrainBub posted:Thats a very good method !!! Thanks.
I can’t keep track of threads in the forums - what and where I’ve read about production order. I’ve seen Scott say EAE1, Krauss Maffei, SD40-2 to be done this year. I think I saw Jonathan say he’s started “detailing” roads for for SD40-2. With F3s in production, does this mean the SD40-2s will be after the F3s ? I haven’t caught any indications prep work has begun for the E’s or KM. I’m just wondering so to begin planning My budget.
Cheers !!! 😬TrainBub
As soon as Scott gets about the minimum required reservations he asks Jonathan to put together a matrix of variations. Several of us help him in that effort. Once the preliminary matrix is agreed to here Scott sends it to the builder for input. Once the matrix is agreed to by everybody the variations that will be produced are fixed and reservations close. There is some magic in that process as some variations on the bubble may end up on the go list and others not on the go list because of complexity i.e., read cost to build. As for the build order that kinda depends on the reservations. This last push for reservations has put the SDs earlier on the production list. Es and KMs are a little further behind.
@rdunniii posted:As soon as Scott gets about the minimum required reservations he asks Jonathan to put together a matrix of variations. Several of us help him in that effort. Once the preliminary matrix is agreed to here Scott sends it to the builder for input. Once the matrix is agreed to by everybody the variations that will be produced are fixed and reservations close. There is some magic in that process as some variations on the bubble may end up on the go list and others not on the go list because of complexity i.e., read cost to build. As for the build order that kinda depends on the reservations. This last push for reservations has put the SDs earlier on the production list. Es and KMs are a little further behind.
Thank you So Much “are done”. Between you, Scott, and Jonathan, you have patiently explained many nuances of this business. It is Appreciated.
amazing how some “pot stirring” catapulted the SD40-2 ahead in the production queue - a Big Resurrection of a dead project.
So I have two W&LE 3R on order... I just noticed that you are doing the SD40T-2 as well AND that W&LE has those as well now. http://www.nsdash9.com/WEroster/WE5413.html
Would it be possible to get one of each (SD40-2 and SD40T-2) in W&LE livery? I love running consists with mixed equipment but from the same railroad.
Anyone else have W&LE on order, how would you feel about that?
@rdunniii posted:As soon as Scott gets about the minimum required reservations he asks Jonathan to put together a matrix of variations. Several of us help him in that effort. Once the preliminary matrix is agreed to here Scott sends it to the builder for input. Once the matrix is agreed to by everybody the variations that will be produced are fixed and reservations close. There is some magic in that process as some variations on the bubble may end up on the go list and others not on the go list because of complexity i.e., read cost to build. As for the build order that kinda depends on the reservations. This last push for reservations has put the SDs earlier on the production list. Es and KMs are a little further behind.
This note from rdunniii and one from Scott in I believe a GP thread tells us of the nuances of executing these “runs” - including factory pushback when a run gets to large and complex. Something has to give. It’s usually cutting a small order road names to make the “run” manageable. So I’d say if you are “on the fence” - get your reservation in ASAP as it will help clean up Scott’s decision process and minimize his last minute “scramble” to finalize the run. It Should help Us get our models a bit sooner and save Scott some grief.
Just my opinion.
Cheers
After seeing all the fun the GP7/9 guys are having with their amazing models, I'm going to link to some pictures to inspire some more orders. I think these would look beautiful running around anyone's layout.
@rplst8 posted:After seeing all the fun the GP7/9 guys are having with their amazing models, I'm going to link to some pictures to inspire some more orders. I think these would look beautiful running around anyone's layout.
Whatever it takes to get to needed numbers !!! Popping links into the thread like this is great !!! (How does one do that ?). (And yes the GPs are splendid !!!)
@TrainBub posted:Popping links into the thread like this is great !!! (How does one do that ?).
Here's another!
http://www.nsdash9.com/WEroster/WE6310md1.jpg
Here's one with a 3000 gallon tank. Yuck.
http://www.nsdash9.com/WEroster/WE7019fs3.jpg - please avoid this prototype in W&LE Scott!
Compare to the previous reply with the 4000 gallon tanks.
I’ve got 4 W&LE SD’s ordered. I’ve already emailed Jonathan with pics and preferences. I prefer the SD’s with 4K gallon tanks as well. 81” and/or 88” noses are fine.
The former Milwaukee Road SD’s have 3K gallon tanks. All W&LE SD’s have Nathan K5LA’s and pilot ditch lights.
There is nothing unique to a W&LE SD40-2. The 50+ they have were acquired from other rr’s on Scott’s list with little changes to them other than the aforementioned horns and ditch lights.
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