MTH SD40-2 with Scale Wheels

I am sure someone will tell me to contact MTH...

Nope.  But you could use their product locator to find the answer yourself. 

And if you did you would find the unfortunate fact that MTH has never made a 2 rail version of their SD40.

And.......

You would also find that their SD35 and SD45 are available in fixed pilot 2 rail versions with 3/2 trucks.

Thanks, Mr. Hikel...I am aware of the SD35 (I have one) and am contemplating one of the SD45s...was just curious about the SD40 as well. 

By the way, how would I search the product locator to find the answer to this question...type in SD40 and go through everything that pops up?  Is there a way to just search for the -2 locomotives?

It may not seem so...but, I use that locator a lot.  Thanks for your input!

how about the tunnel motors?

Enginear(sic)-Joe...you are correct.  I was not in that "market" when those came out and the scale wheel versions in road numbers I care about are long, long gone...unless I missed some in the new catalog.

How about the tunnel motors?

Good point Joe.  MTH does make SD40-2Ts in 2 rail.

Is there a way to just search for the -2 locomotives?

Not that I am aware of.  If you find a way to search for just 2 rail products please let me know!  I'll mention that at the next York as an improvement that should be made to the MTH web site.  Until then we will be doing brute force searches and asking questions on the OGR forum.  

And please, call me Ted. 

...okay...Ted...I think MTH produces so few of the 2/3 rail locomotives that they would never bother redefining their search engine (if that us the correct terminology) to accommodate those that might be looking for those -2 engines.  I was told they made less than a dozen of the 20-20317 Dash 9 engine...and have not been able to find more than 3 available on the open market...and those are locked up now.

It seems hardly worth it to make just a dozen of anything...but, I am glad they did.

The late runs of the SD40-2 are 3/2 convertible, but not offered with fixed pilots. To fix the pilots one need to cut the end tabs of the sheet metal frame in order to attach the pilots to the body. I have a Wisconsin Central SD40-2 shell that is mounted on a late model chassis with scale wheels. Next is fixing the pilots.

I own a 2 rail tunnel motor in Cotton Belt Bi-Centennial paint. Sweet.

Larry, here's a UP SD40-2 I converted to fixed pilots and full handrails. Takes some time to do but worth the effort. 3/2 convertible trucks as well.

Those are gorgeous...

Good evening

Mike I also fixed the pilots on my SD40-2's with encouragement from Jeff. I however did not extend the handrails yet. I included pictures of the pieces I made to do this. I did mine a little different, the front pilot is attached to the body and the rear pilot attached to the frame.

Clem

Looks great Clem!! I also made new step extensions to go all the way across inside the well of the pilot, to eliminate the "shorty" steps inside.

Thanks for posting these pics, Clem and Jeff.  I have 3 of these that I am contemplating about starting.

Nice work!

Here is a larger photo showing more details- just click to enlarge

I noticed that Jeff looks great, another thing for my to do list. Right now I'm fixing the pilots on a RS11 NYC.