Lionel's Brand New SD50 & SD40E Diesel Engines Dominate The Rails!

[@Ericstrains]

Video Notes: 1) This video has chapters for those who want to skip around. 2) The box on top of the cab is an air conditioner, the grey box on the walkway is for the helper link system.

[@SignalLightProductions]

The box on top of the cab is the air conditioning unit. The helper link box is on the front walkway.

[@Ericstrains]

@@SignalLightProductions thanks for the clarification

[@chriscummings4206]

Horn number two is my favorite. Number three sounds like it might be on some Canadian locomotives. Back in the early 2000s, I heard one CP SD40-2 horn that sounded like a moose call.

[@aaronspringborn34]

Honestly, I don’t care for the bells. They’re not that good. The first whistle sounds the best close to real life. The other ones with the audio quality are not that good

[@johnandrus3901]

The box on the SD40e is a HelperLink box. They would tie on to your train, log in your EOT and you would control the air on your train and the helper from you lead unit. They would be able to cut-off on the fly when they were finished with your train. The box on the cab is the air conditioning unit. They actually worked quite well. You could hang meat in the cab, it got so cold. Lionel did a nice job on both those units. An excellent video, as always.

[@ViperZero523]

Thanks for saving me the time to Google it fam

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks! 🙏

[@user-yn8do4px8e]

EOTD not EOT on the MFD just like a DPU but when running a SD50 or SD40E unit which didn't have a MFD standard I ask you HOW !???! as EOTD needs a MFD to do so ? Please Explain ???!

[@johnandrus3901]

@@user-yn8do4px8e All HelperLink did was allow the engineer on the leading locomotive to control the air on the helper, without having to cut the air in on the helper itself. They dialed in your EOT, through the HelperLink and that controlled the air on the helper. They could tie on without getting out to cut in the air and then cut-off on the fly at the end of the helper district.

[@pkilznah5353]

Your whole layout and train collection is ridiculous respect ✊🚂🚂🚂🎯🎯🎯🎯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@huntercoleman460]

Nice SD50 and SD40E Eric. Got a Lionel Rio Grande SD50 from the 90s. Nice to see Lionel bring back the SD50.

[@AMTK816]

I’m impressed that Lionel finally attatched the steps to the front of the locomotive

[@DH2906PRODUCTIONS]

The gray helperlink boxes on the short hood end of the engine of an NS SD40E are above the ditchlight on the engineer's side, in front of the cab door. These boxes allow for cutting off on the fly. The sd40e's we're helper engines in Altoona Pennsylvania for a long time

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks

[@DH2906PRODUCTIONS]

@@Ericstrains your welcome

[@haroldbenton979]

6313 has the CORRECT Flexicoil trucks underneath it also as it was from the first order of Conrail that had Flexicoil trucks. They finally switched to HTC trucks with their later SD50 starting with 6805 being the first one delivered with NEW HTC's. Most of the reason came down to the issues they had with the SDP40F Amtrak had in the 70s plus they had a VP of Maintenance that hated the HTC truck in general. When he retired the resistance against them ended. The box on the top of the pilot is Helper Ease to allow them to cut off on the fly but be interconnected with the airbrake system while pushing trains up and around the Horseshoe Curve area and other helper districts for the NS.

[@Ericstrains]

indeed

[@GlennFresch]

Reading and Northern power? I’m impressed that anyone outside PA or NJ would care much about it. I guess it has a good reputation.

[@biscuitag97]

Paint scheme is killer. I got 2 tho i live in nj😂

[@zacharyspinks6207]

This is So Awesome Eric, These Diesel Locomotives are Great, my favorite Horn Sound is #1 and the Bell Sound is #2.

[@bartertown]

The box is for the helper link so as helpers they could cutoff on the fly.

[@RowanSimpson-pi4ll]

Lionel finally improved the start up of Special Duty Locomotives! Also this is a great review because BFMIO is back!

[@RowanSimpson-pi4ll]

Horn #1/Bell #2 is my fav.

[@doubleutubefan5]

My train shop hasn't called yet. I want my locomotives! I got all 3 DRGW versions

[@coloradoinnewjersey]

They are really amazing locomotives. Got all 3 myself as well.

[@doubleutubefan5]

I wonder how you got yours before me? I thought Nicholas Smith's would get them early? ​@@coloradoinnewjersey

[@coloradoinnewjersey]

@@doubleutubefan5I got mine from Charles Ro.

[@johncliver5020]

Still waiting on mine from Nicholas Smith too 😬. Still waiting on the call.

[@escape150]

Every time I go up to Horseshoe Curve there are always a lot of the SD40E diesels, usually in pairs on the rear of the train as helpers. I go to the curve quite often, I live only 40 miles away

[@DynamicDuo795]

I finally found a Lionel Vision Line UP Baldwin Centipede AA set brand new. I'm very happy that I was finally able to locate and buy one. Also, the new Legacy C&O F19 Pacific's are coming very soon next month. Looking forward to those.

[@Ericstrains]

Enjoy!

[@angeloavanti2538]

Great inro picture! Keep having fun man.

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks! You too!

[@engineerpat5290]

Great video Eric! That is the helper link box on the 40E since they were used on horseshoe curve. The SD70ACUs assigned to HSC are set up similar. The 40E is always a classic. The R&N looks pretty as well! Great video as always! Bell 2 is best!!

[@Fireball409]

I totally agree with you about horn #1. However my favorite bell is #1.

[@davidfurino2987]

You are the man Eric, nice to be able to purchase these models which are not cheap,love that bridge,aloha

[@axle17921]

The Reading and Northern engine is a rebuild as well, that's why it says SD50-2 on it, rebuilt by csx with SD40- 2 internals

[@W1NDOWS7myIDEA]

Awesome to see you pick up a Reading and Northern. Being from the area they are an awesome railroad as a rail fan. Friendly locomotive operators, and their steam excursions are top notch shows.

[@gustavovasile428]

WOW!! GREAT!!! I HOPE YOU ARE OK, FROM MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY!!!

[@Ericstrains]

Yes, thank you

[@James-Railyard]

Can’t wait to pick up the RBMN 5018/5019 set I ordered. I might get the red 5018 and sell the cataloged one.

[@kevinmartin9940]

Well done Eric. I have a few on order and can’t wait to get them. I wish Lionel would change up the crew talk sounds to be more reflective of the road. The generic sounds are becoming boring.

[@RichardModelTrains777]

Nice engines. Looks like old MTH tooling. I have 3 Rio Grande engines and 2 Southern Pacific. I wish Lionel would power all 3 drive wheels for the price they are charging.

[@AndrewNeilFalconer]

MTH is producing and releasing releasing PREMIER SD50 locomotives by March 2025.

[@AndrewNeilFalconer]

LIONEL has already made the SD60 that is an upgraded SD50 diesel engine-electric motor locomotive.

[@RichardModelTrains777]

I stand corrected, this is not MTH tooling. I never knew Lionel made a scale SD50, other than the SD50 from the early 90's that was made on the more common SD40 frame and had Pullmor motors.

[@CloverdaleTransitAuthority]

Eric, I spit my coffee out when that thumbnail popped up on my suggested videos! 😆

[@Ericstrains]

Haha. Mission accomplished I guess 🤣

[@CloverdaleTransitAuthority]

@@Ericstrains well, it was just one of those cheap gas station coffees so, no big loss. 😁

[@charlesmcclure5994]

Sweet looking engines, nice addition to your collection 👍👍

[@coloradoinnewjersey]

I feel like I should note that if you do convert these to scale couplers, with what they supply, you may have a bit of a tricky time getting the screw in. I had to widen the holes myself and use different screws since the Lionel ones snapped on me.

[@southwestindianarailfan8098]

The box on the pilot area is the helperlink they added for Pittsburg line service

[@MrStevesTrains]

Nice 👍🏻, I see you got the 3pk of “On track for a Cure” well cars. Haven’t received my containers yet. Beautiful Eric.

[@buffaloarearailfan9928]

Excellent Video! Love those new SD50 & SD40E models!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Hey Eric! Love that Reading & Northern Unit! I love anything BM&R or RBM&N! Great video and keep em coming!

[@brianbaird3]

That Chessie System looks good

[@taylorbaggarleyunionpacifi3409]

Those units so cool eric

[@patrickspies1464]

That box on the Norfolk Southern unit is for the helper link system

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks

[@patrickspies1464]

@@Ericstrains you’re welcome and that white box is a air conditioner

[@keithanddianevanhorn241]

great looking locos

[@paulrusso4528]

My #1 choice for horn sound is #2 and 🔔 Bell sound is #1 for SD 40/SD 50 😁PJR

[@chiconian49]

Number one is the best horn.

[@henryszubielski8601]

Love both of them. Thanks for sharing your video Eric

[@alfrednawrocki8061]

Love those well cars as well !!

[@ericwilliams2619]

👍🏻✨️✨️✨️✨️👍🏻 horn #1 sounds very realistic ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[@PetersTrainz]

Now you can do an I1 doubleheader in the review! Can’t wait for those! 🚂 🚂

[@SSTHECAMARO]

cool glasses eric

[@Steven_Williams]

Very handsome engines Eric. "Big ups 👍 from Chicago "Train Dawg "!

[@tobyyoder8350]

RBMN #5018 is an Ex CSX SD50-2 rebuilt from an SD50 , so you essentially got both rebuild versions of CSX and NS

[@kevinmartin9940]

I have the SD50 on order from METCA called the Red Head

[@peterd.9893]

I like horns #2 and #3, and I like bells #1 and #2

[@davidjenkins1484]

I like 5 on the horn and 4 on the bell.

[@hettro-cv6082]

Good video!

[@kennymcgowan2880]

Sweet looking engines 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@williamrailfanningandmore6977]

I just caught the RBMN 5018 leading yesterday

[@joshuacantu101]

Both are very nice I like the sd50 more

[@denisebasile3813]

They look beautiful Eric I wish all the luck with them enjoy for a long time I always like SD 45 an 50 an still like the Mac's es44. Gevo units I have it in csx love your videos keep them coming thank you

[@Ericstrains]

Thanks 👍

[@christophercddelrosariocoish]

Here`s my favorites: Horn #3 Bell #2

[@rtrfan7398]

Earlier today i saw a NS SD40E numbered 6310!

[@Ericstrains]

Awesome!

[@landonmckeen4221]

my favorite is horn 5 and my favorite is bell 1

[@RichardBough-yk2ei]

Great layout sad its 3 rails and locos have traction tyres thanks for sharing video

[@user-ye4ux1hl2u]

I like horn number 2 and Bell number 1

[@WilliamCreator57]

Eric, your eyes!

[@thayersubdivisionproductio9233]

So that box on the NS 40E is for helper service it made it to where they can uncouple on the fly

[@Mr.busdrivercjfan25]

Nice

[@traviscurlutu7723]

The black box engineer side on the ns unit houses the cab signal equipment

[@louisletourneau3429]

Beautifull loco and sound ! I didn't like the sudden start but after it's very smooth , will the sudden jump start will improove after a while ?

[@doubleutubefan5]

I should also comment that up until recently I did get to see the last days of the sd40es on helper service on the horseshoe curve. Sadly, I think they have been relegated to yard and locals.

[@Ericstrains]

Right on

[@MMID303]

Very nice engines. I almost ordered the NS version but ultimately decided skipped these.

[@Adamdaj]

I can't remember whether SD 40 or SD 50s had the dual control stands.

[@leoberiding]

Love your reviews. How do you store all these boxes ?

[@nathanschronce8703]

The truck frames are different too

[@davidvilabrera]

I am new to this - what is a ' Super Bass ' locomotive ?

[@Doc.6466]

I believe Lionel had a scale SD50 with TMCC in the BN paint scheme. Wonder if this is the same tooling or updated or even MTH tooling?

[@Doc.6466]

Or perhaps it was a SD60… I can’t remember now..

[@AndrewNeilFalconer]

LIONEL already made the SD60, which is the SD50 with internal mechanical improvements.

[@GlennFresch]

The sd50 looks great overall, but I keep getting the feeling that the truck aren’t far enough out on the frame.

[@billpierce2719]

Horn #2

[@bgm1958]

Horn 5, bell 4

[@jasonlitz2907]

So with the semi fix pilots. Does that reduce the pulling power? With being fix to a solid wheel or chassis you have the strength but how does the semi fix handle that?

[@ronptak]

Great videos, but I have not seen if you have any u boats locomotives

[@anthonyferrara2222]

Horn #2 Bell #1

[@byates59]

I like horn #2 the best!

[@HighlandWinterWolf51]

Ive heard the newer lionel and MTH stuff has a switch on it to take it from center rail pickup to dual rail pickup like in HO scale. Anyone know if this is true?

[@Ericstrains]

MTH, yes. Lionel, no.

[@danielg9174]

The SD50 looks like it has the same hood as the SD70MAC

[@AndrewNeilFalconer]

LIONEL already made the SD60, which was an internal mechanical upgrade of the SD50 diesel engine-electric motor locomotives.

[@cooktravelers]

Horn 2, Bell 3

[@Calebro4]

You have an eye for diesels, don’t you? Lol can’t blame ya

[@Ericstrains]

🤣

[@fastjazz]

oh boy.

[@nickphillips3771]

Are them umax containers & well cars all from atlas?

[@JohnHuntt]

Horn 2

[@ungowa1002]

What is super based?

[@Ericstrains]

Super Bass. It's an unit that has a sound system designed to add more low end bass sound.

[@denisebasile3813]

Number one beii

[@danielhemple8649]

You even have Elton john beat

[@Ericstrains]

🤣

[@SeanBleaking]

Lol 0:06

[@SJ2016RC]

B 1

[@billpierce2719]

Bell #1

[@chrisvarner6727]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@aidenglass1889]

1

[@jacobfeinstein4402]

horn 3

[@SJ2016RC]

H 2

[@MatthewRailfan-ox6si]

It's honestly so lame that all of Lionel legacy locomotives have the same sounds

[@Ericstrains]

Not true

[@Colemangilliam]

Hey can we collab🖤

[@joeorillio1007]

Another fluff review. That center axle on the front truck of the SD50 should be directly under the cab window. Trucks and fuel tank should all have symmetrical spacing. The huge gap between the front truck and pilot makes it looks like the nose is hanging off in space. Terrible execution again by Lionel. How can you not notice that??

[@Ericstrains]

Not sure what you mean. This is a perfect replica of the real SD50, right down the use of the 3rd rail. It's the most realistic model of an SD50 ever made.

[@joeorillio1007]

@@Ericstrains LOL. Got it!

[@user-yn8do4px8e]

I will say both units are REALLY nice looking but that's all you'll hear from me as I have been on both units operating Mainline service and Not to beat around the Bush are both Garbage units in REAL LIFE, Reasons why you don't see them anymore as the Bone yard has them, NS doesn't even run the SD40E units on the HSC line as Helpers anymore because there so under POWERED and don't have MFDs as the SD70ACu DO, Sorry to tell the truth, just being honest. You can read all the technology info all you want which honestly means Nothing to Real Life running them as you would know instant what's what. BS info just like the Trash 8's and Trash 9's as crews Hated them. I will tell you why if you want to know, as many of the reasons were because of electronics Overall best unit ever Made was the SD40-2 until the ES44AC and higher released FACTS!!!

[@777edmatt]

Isn't it sad that everything is made in China, probably including your knife! Just thinking! 😢

[@Ericstrains]

It’s not sad

[@777edmatt]

@@Ericstrains It would have been better to keep our manufacturing right here in our own country! China probably uses forced labor and makes money 💰 hand over fist! That's sad! But I do love toy trains!

[@peterd.9893]

Why are you wearing googly eyed glasses?

[@Ericstrains]

Those are my real eyes 👀

[@aidensypolt]

​@@Ericstrains We know what you look like without those glasses.

[@ARMYVETT]

NICE VID ERIC. I BOUGHT THE B&O CHESSIE SD-50 YESTERDAY FROM TRAINLAND WITH BEN WAYNE FROM BEN'S TRAINS, JIMGAMTHE TRAINMAN, GOLD.STANDARD,TRAINS, AND COREY1976. 🙂WE HAD A GREAT TIME THERE. IT WAS NICE TO FINALLY MEET THEM.