These SD-40-2's were used by UP as helpers on Amtrak on Sherman Hill, Amtrak had problems with their early passenger engines making the climb both E and W.B. UP had these engines geared to run 80MPH, for Amtrak hence the term fast forties, one unit would be lead behind the other two Amtrak uunits,l was a engineer assigned to helper service on Sherman Hill before retiring from UP
If someone owns any UP GTEL turbine units or Centennials, having one or two of these is a must and the Athearn RTR line makes for an affordable purchase to round out an accurate consist. Great video! Thank you.
I just want to thank you for posting the videos you do. Recently I spent 10 days in the hospital due to covid and your videos really punched me through .. I actually wound up ordering a couple of the Union Pacific Sd 40 2s. Again thank you for all your postings they are always very informative I enjoy watching all of them.
Dude! I'm sorry to hear about the Covid diagnosis...I hope you are doing better now. That really sucks! Thank you so much for the kind words... I also hope you enjoy your new locos! Get some rest and Take care~
That is some pretty good specific detail on the RTR. The long back deck always makes me want to model some lawn chairs and a grill on a engine in a siding or parked near a engine shed.
People love ESU loksound versus the Soundtraxx Econami sound. But the Soundtraxx 645E primemover sound is more accurate to me. I work near a Union Pacific rail yard where their SD40-2 primemovers sound exactly like the soundtraxx primemover file for the 645E. Thank you for sharing.
I believe both decoder brands have their place. And just like vehicles, people have their favorite. I think its really great for us modelers to have the choices. Thank you for watching and commenting!
If you ever get the chance when you're not too busy. If you could ever do a video of how you attach the small piping onto the tank that would be awesome I really think people would attempt to do it themselves after watching your video. You are fantastic modeler and I would take your expertise to the point and feel a little more confident on doing this myself and probably for a lot of people. Keep up the RUclips channel in one of the best. 😁👍
OH man....I just installed the piping on the other one yesterday...Dang I missed that one. I will see what I can come up with. Thanks for the feedback and compliment!
Great video. I just received my UP SD40-2 # 8003. It sounds good. Just need to break it in and make some CV adjustments. I plan to run it with a SP GP 38-2 for intermodal service.
From this run, I got both Union Pacific #'s in the modern scheme! The dual cube speakers really show; they have way better bass than my expensive Scaletrains units! The ditch lights are also fire w/ flat lenses and golden-white LED's! Pretty amazing that RTR has ditch lights now (on modern schemes)! Overall, the detail and performance at this price range blew me away! Only thing I'm not crazy about is the sliding cab window
These will look pretty good between your future centennials. Glad to see that Athearn also included the rerailers that mounted on the truck sideframes. The beacon lights could be better , overall not bad.
Ironically one of these old Up snoot noses is currently up here in my area, #3398, it was a fast forty paint job and i always see it and a normal ex up sd40-2 #3771
nice I have one of the earlier production runs from a few years ago. The detail is still very good.....you don't tend to notice the SD40-2 when it is between a pair of DDA40x's....
Some of these were delivered with no lettering, numbers or stripping. Ive been after Athearn to do a run of these. The slang used for the Centennials and the fast forty were called "Two Jacks and a Kicker".
Maybe they will do them. Thanks for the slang term, I didn't know that one. I did know that it was usually 2 Centennials and a Fast Forty that rolled together.
hi deryk greetings from uk i have an athern rtr sd40-2 in the maersk sealand livery. #3329. in ns scheme. unlike my other sd40-2s it has front working ditch lights flashing with the horn operation. function 5. as you state no8 mutes the loco sound(useing nce powercab) but i have found that mine shuts down the loco properly if you use the red stop button. for a proper startup i gently move the control to no1 and i then get a normal startup from the locomotive try it and see??? take care!!
Where in the world did you find a Econami decoder. Ive been searching for a couple of those for the last coup weeks and cant seem to find them anywhere? Love the review BTW.
These SD-40-2's were used by UP as helpers on Amtrak on Sherman Hill, Amtrak had problems with their early passenger engines making the climb both E and W.B. UP had these engines geared to run 80MPH, for Amtrak hence the term fast forties, one unit would be lead behind the other two Amtrak uunits,l was a engineer assigned to helper service on Sherman Hill before retiring from UP
If someone owns any UP GTEL turbine units or Centennials, having one or two of these is a must and the Athearn RTR line makes for an affordable purchase to round out an accurate consist. Great video! Thank you.
Very nice model. Had to have one so now I have one!
Good choice! Enjoy it!
I just want to thank you for posting the videos you do. Recently I spent 10 days in the hospital due to covid and your videos really punched me through .. I actually wound up ordering a couple of the Union Pacific Sd 40 2s. Again thank you for all your postings they are always very informative I enjoy watching all of them.
Dude! I'm sorry to hear about the Covid diagnosis...I hope you are doing better now. That really sucks! Thank you so much for the kind words... I also hope you enjoy your new locos! Get some rest and Take care~
Being a 1970s UP fan, I’m definitely going to have to get these lol
These are a good value, esp. for a UP fan like yourself!
You won't be disappointed.
Great review Kid-o....SD40-2's are my favorite Loco. Bob
Mine too!
That is some pretty good specific detail on the RTR. The long back deck always makes me want to model some lawn chairs and a grill on a engine in a siding or parked near a engine shed.
Right on! Love these RTR locos. I think it would be awesome to see a cookout on the deck. haha
Awesome engines..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance
Thanks 👍
Athearn RTR dcc and sound are awesome !!! Nice job.
Yes they are!
People love ESU loksound versus the Soundtraxx Econami sound. But the Soundtraxx 645E primemover sound is more accurate to me. I work near a Union Pacific rail yard where their SD40-2 primemovers sound exactly like the soundtraxx primemover file for the 645E. Thank you for sharing.
I believe both decoder brands have their place. And just like vehicles, people have their favorite. I think its really great for us modelers to have the choices. Thank you for watching and commenting!
I agree.
If you ever get the chance when you're not too busy. If you could ever do a video of how you attach the small piping onto the tank that would be awesome I really think people would attempt to do it themselves after watching your video. You are fantastic modeler and I would take your expertise to the point and feel a little more confident on doing this myself and probably for a lot of people. Keep up the RUclips channel in one of the best. 😁👍
OH man....I just installed the piping on the other one yesterday...Dang I missed that one. I will see what I can come up with. Thanks for the feedback and compliment!
Man they look nice, especially going around the curve. I pre order the CSX SD40s, I can't wait to get them in.
Oh Sweet! I bet they are in the next release! Can't wait to see them running at your club.
Oooo old school UP!! Love these motors!
They are pretty cool!
Really nice looking locos and they sound good as well 😀👍
They are!
Very nice mate cheers Robert
Thanks Robert!!
Econami sounds great.
Great video. I just received my UP SD40-2 # 8003. It sounds good. Just need to break it in and make some CV adjustments. I plan to run it with a SP GP 38-2 for intermodal service.
Right on! Thank you! Enjoy it :)
From this run, I got both Union Pacific #'s in the modern scheme! The dual cube speakers really show; they have way better bass than my expensive Scaletrains units!
The ditch lights are also fire w/ flat lenses and golden-white LED's! Pretty amazing that RTR has ditch lights now (on modern schemes)! Overall, the detail and performance at this price range blew me away!
Only thing I'm not crazy about is the sliding cab window
I agree with you on everything you said! I'm actually not a fan of the sliding windows either to be honest. I have no tips for you in that regard.
I love athearn trains and SD 40 -2 locomotives.
Me too!!
These will look pretty good between your future centennials. Glad to see that Athearn also included the rerailers that mounted on the truck sideframes. The beacon lights could be better , overall not bad.
Yes sir! That's the plan! :)
Ironically one of these old Up snoot noses is currently up here in my area, #3398, it was a fast forty paint job and i always see it and a normal ex up sd40-2 #3771
nice I have one of the earlier production runs from a few years ago. The detail is still very good.....you don't tend to notice the SD40-2 when it is between a pair of DDA40x's....
True True!!
Some of these were delivered with no lettering, numbers or stripping. Ive been after Athearn to do a run of these.
The slang used for the Centennials and the fast forty were called "Two Jacks and a Kicker".
Maybe they will do them. Thanks for the slang term, I didn't know that one. I did know that it was usually 2 Centennials and a Fast Forty that rolled together.
yang yang yang those 645 ssound like the real thing!,
hi deryk greetings from uk i have an athern rtr sd40-2 in the maersk sealand livery. #3329. in ns scheme. unlike my other sd40-2s it has front working ditch lights flashing with the horn operation. function 5. as you state no8 mutes the loco sound(useing nce powercab) but i have found that mine shuts down the loco properly if you use the red stop button. for a proper startup i gently move the control to no1 and i then get a normal startup from the locomotive try it and see??? take care!!
Sounds great!
Nice Union Pacific.
Where in the world did you find a Econami decoder. Ive been searching for a couple of those for the last coup weeks and cant seem to find them anywhere? Love the review BTW.
These were factory equipped.
Love your vids
Thank you!
I was just thinking what does Deryk do with all these engines 🤔
Well I have a giant display case to fill now. HAHAHA
What are Horizon Hobby MAP Products??? (see 0.34)
Usually Athearn Genesis models.
They (and the DDA40X's) could go a lot faster than 80. I've paced them at 90.
Sweet!!
What scale are these
Engines?
HO scale
@@DGModelworks thanks....they are amazing..detail is superb
You are very welcome. I should have mentioned that in the video. Sorry about that.
I can't get units Derek nice units
Thanks!
@@DGModelworks your welcome
Run jerky at low speed tough
Break it in and see if it's any better. Also keep in mind this isn't a Genesis model.