Thanks Jonathan
Cor
3rd Rail SD40-2 / SD40T-2 Road Name/ Road Numbers Matrix as of 9/23/2021 7:30 PM
Total of 15 known road names out of a maximum of 20.
Burlington Northern (BN):
CHESSIE: Road numbers 7600, 7607, 7613, 7618.
CN: UPDATED: Road numbers will be 5266, 5267, 5281, & 5289 from the GF-30p class in their mid 1980's appearance.
CONRAIL: 6441-6482 Will have Flexcoil truck side frames.
CSX: Road numbers 8243, 8247, 8250, 8253
D&RGW:
FERROMEX:
Milwaukee Road: Road numbers 184, 193, 205, 209 with their dinky 3200 gallon fuel tanks.
MOPAC: Road numbers 3217, 3229, 3255, 3264 in their mid 1980's paint scheme
N&W: (short / high hood, black NW scheme)
Santa Fe:
Southern: 4 road numbers between 3201-3216 to be determined.
SP:
UP:
W&LE: Road numbers 7002, 7010, 7013, 7016
Well the yellow/orange Chessie steam engine is showing a production sample, Kraus Maffei probably well along too, and EA, E1 just had reservations close (so ordering parts). That’s what in the “active” locomotive production chain. So with all the previous discussions about SD40-2 details, is it safe to say that the SD40-2 and Tunnels will have reservations closing Soon - Say by end of year - indicating Finally heading into production ??? If this is a reasonable scenario, we could hopefully see a delivery in Early Q3 (July). It’s been a Long Wait for this model. Here’s hoping the wait is nearing an end !!!!!!!!!
Cheers
That is a pretty reasonable estimate. Still wrapping up a little loose ends on research, but most of it is done.
@GG1 4877 posted:That is a pretty reasonable estimate. Still wrapping up a little loose ends on research, but most of it is done.
Great !!!!
Thanks Jonathan
Jonathan,
on this upcoming run of SD40-2s,
do you guys plan on using the gloss paint finish like on the GP9s or the duller finish like the SD9?
IMO the finish on the SD9s looked much better, the flatter paint is more forgiving to paint imperfections and looks more prototypical
Gloss is much preferred. Mimics the prototype as this is how they were painted.
- Crank
Hmmmm. I don’t have a SD9 to compare color finish with my GP9s. Just in general, I don’t think that gloss lasted very long in the real rail world. A softer (or a bit dull ?) finish seems a bit more “every day” to me. Perhaps someone that has a road with both SD and GP can post us a some side by side pictures for comparison.
Without that, Right now, I’d prefer a non hi-gloss - a more flat paint job.
Cheers !!!
@TrainBub posted:Hmmmm. I don’t have a SD9 to compare color finish with my GP9s. Just in general, I don’t think that gloss lasted very long in the real rail world. A softer (or a bit dull ?) finish seems a bit more “every day” to me. Perhaps someone that has a road with both SD and GP can post us a some side by side pictures for comparison.
Without that, Right now, I’d prefer a non hi-gloss - a more flat paint job.
Cheers !!!
If you interested, do Google search of 3rd rail SD9, there are great pictures out there
The paint finish looks more model-like and the duller finish hides paint imperfections
Anyways, that's just my opinion,
hopefully these will be great models gloss or flat finish
Here is what I consider a “softer” than “hi-gloss” finish. The E6 is 3rd Rail. The U-boat is MTH. I use the MTH model here as 3rd Rail has not yet done a MP model in Jenks blue. IMHO, both are excellent color and finish (gloss). 
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@Cogen1981 posted:Jonathan,
on this upcoming run of SD40-2s,
do you guys plan on using the gloss paint finish like on the GP9s or the duller finish like the SD9?
IMO the finish on the SD9s looked much better, the flatter paint is more forgiving to paint imperfections and looks more prototypical
That decision hasn't been made yet. Lately it seems the glossier finish has been more popular like what was done on the E6s or more satin finish on the PAs. However, that decision won't be made until 2022. Research went to the design team in Asia last month and it was very thorough. They won't have the BIM drawings and 2D projections back for a first draft review until January likely. There will be several rounds of corrections most likely based on the amount of data they got for this project.
@GG1 4877 posted:That decision hasn't been made yet. Lately it seems the glossier finish has been more popular like what was done on the E6s or more satin finish on the PAs. However, that decision won't be made until 2022. Research went to the design team in Asia last month and it was very thorough. They won't have the BIM drawings and 2D projections back for a first draft review until January likely. There will be several rounds of corrections most likely based on the amount of data they got for this project.
Thanks for your response and attention to detail
@TrainBub posted:Here is what I consider a “softer” than “hi-gloss” finish. The E6 is 3rd Rail. The U-boat is MTH. I use the MTH model here as 3rd Rail has not yet done a MP model in Jenks blue. IMHO, both are excellent color and finish (gloss).
Good post,
The higher gloss finish looks good on the F and E series car body locomotive that commonly are used for passenger service, while I think the satin finish is more appropriate on the more industrial looking Spartan cab freight locomotive
Fresh out of the box at EMD. Not really all that glossy:
Rusty
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@Cogen1981 posted:Good post,
The higher gloss finish looks good on the F and E series car body locomotive that commonly are used for passenger service, while I think the satin finish is more appropriate on the more industrial looking Spartan cab freight locomotive
I like the term “satin finish” and agree “more appropriate on the …. Freight locomotive.”
Here’s an Atlas GP15 model. I think it hits the “satin finish” mark quite Nicely. Of course IMO.
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Wow. This thread was started just over 5 years ago !!!! 🤭😳😵💫.
We’re finally getting close to going into production. 😜😜😜.
YAY 💥 💥💥
@TrainBub posted:Wow. This thread was started just over 5 years ago !!!! 🤭😳😵💫.
We’re finally getting close to going into production. 😜😜😜.YAY 💥 💥💥
Fortunately Scott didn't act on your suggestion to cancel the project. (But maybe we'll let you live that down when the models are delivered...).
RM
@GG1 4877 posted:That decision hasn't been made yet. Lately it seems the glossier finish has been more popular like what was done on the E6s or more satin finish on the PAs. However, that decision won't be made until 2022. Research went to the design team in Asia last month and it was very thorough. They won't have the BIM drawings and 2D projections back for a first draft review until January likely. There will be several rounds of corrections most likely based on the amount of data they got for this project.
Jonathan,
Glad to hear its moving along, and thanks for all your work on it. Are you able to share with us what decisions were made in terms of as-delivered versus later appearance (or maybe it's a mixed bag depending on the road name). In particular I'm curious about the Santa Fe models. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
RM
@Rich Montague posted:Jonathan,
Glad to hear its moving along, and thanks for all your work on it. Are you able to share with us what decisions were made in terms of as-delivered versus later appearance (or maybe it's a mixed bag depending on the road name). In particular I'm curious about the Santa Fe models. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.
RM
Rich,
It is a really mixed bag. For the Santa Fe models we settled on the roughly 1986 appearance. No ditch lights, no class lights, but the roof mounted beacon, the ac unit, and the 88" hood for a phase II unit. This was decided due to the need to get enough units with the same tooling for the ATSF blue bonnet and Kodachrome units into a single group.
@Rich Montague posted:Fortunately Scott didn't act on your suggestion to cancel the project. (But maybe we'll let you live that down when the models are delivered...).
RM
Well he actually sounded like he was ready to pull the plug … and I hate “forever” to get done projects so I was ready to move on even though I had orders for MP and Frisco. The committed $s would have just rolled over to another of Scotts projects. Then he changed his mind. Thank goodness. I’m ready for these babies as I’ve already sold off my MTH MP SD40-2s !!!
Although I prefer the "satin look", bright, shiny locomotives do exist:
I took the above back in 2007 at West Pelzer, SC; I later found out that it had been painted the week before. 
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@GG1 4877 posted:Rich,
It is a really mixed bag. For the Santa Fe models we settled on the roughly 1986 appearance. No ditch lights, no class lights, but the roof mounted beacon, the ac unit, and the 88" hood for a phase II unit. This was decided due to the need to get enough units with the same tooling for the ATSF blue bonnet and Kodachrome units into a single group.
Jonathan,
Thanks for the update. That approach makes sense and sounds good to me.
RM
Well folks, some new updated pix on the 3rd Rail web page. Perhaps version specific representations for those “in the know” to check out. 😜
Perhaps Really close to closing reservations. 🤔
Cheers
The website photos have been updated to be specific to the units being produced.
So to ask the question another way... which models are going to have ditch lights? From the photos it looks like the BN and the Conrail Quality have them. Is that it?
Any idea what the unpainted version is going to be based on? I'm a fence sitter for a useable configuration for patching one out.
I saw the SD40-2 page got updated to say Mid-2022. Is that for delivery or when reservations close. Extremely excited for these.
@rplst8 posted:
I saw the SD40-2 page got updated to say Mid-2022. Is that for delivery or when reservations close. Extremely excited for these.
Send Scott an Email with your question. Avoid the opinion...go for the answer.
The only information I can provide at the moment is that I am waiting to receive the first set of design drawings with all the road specific details and variations based on research I submitted in November to do a thorough review. I expect to receive those drawings prior to the Chinese New Year.
Just an update from the 3rd Rail site:
EMD SD40-2 & SD40T-2 TUNNEL MOTOR
DIESELS (COMING Q1/Q2 2023)
(Design is in the final stages.) 9-6-2022
HIGH HOOD AND TUNNEL MOTOR VERSIONS TOO
ADDED - D&RGW, Ferromex, C&NW, SP, UND (UNPAINTED)
How many road numbers are there for the MoPac SD40-2's?
Should be four for Mopac:
MOPAC: Road numbers 3217, 3229, 3255, 3264 in their mid 1980's paint scheme
It’s been a Long Road to see these models get done. It’s nice to see the finish line showing on the horizon !!!
@TrainBub posted:It’s been a Long Road to see these models get done. It’s nice to see the finish line showing on the horizon !!!
Indeed! I have two W&LE, one Conrail, and one Conrail Quality ordered.
I’m very excited for this project. When I was young I used to watch the Conrail versions go back and forth on helper duty from Cresson on the former PRR.
From 3rd Rail Website
EMD SD40-2 & SD40T-2 TUNNEL MOTOR
DIESELS (COMING FALL 2023)
(Design is in the final stages.) 01-22-2023
Jonathan,
If you see this - Will these units have snowplows?
@EMD posted:Jonathan,
If you see this - Will these units have snowplows?
Yes. Where prototypically correct snowplows will be on the units.
A quick update on the project. This has been through a lot of revisions, but it is getting close to having the tooling started so there is really some progress happening!
Thanks for the update Jonathan!
Got an email from Scott yesterday that production has started on the SD40-2! It will take a few months given the different car bodies, variations, and road names, but should be worth the wait. Good stuff!
These will be Great when they arrive !!! They’ve been a Long Time Coming !!! With the GP30 now being offered, perhaps we are seeing more demand for more recent diesels. That would be nice !!! 👍😜
Cheers 😉
