ScaleTrains SD40 2 Conrail Review

[@Conrail3385]

And nice review on the Scale Trains SD40-2s. Great detailed models. Thanks for sharing..........

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

thanks, they're really superb models - at the rate i'm going this layout is going to be nothing but SD40-2s on the roster!

[@tommynorwood5184]

Hi C Mastracci , good review . That is a nice looking locomotive. I purchased the Conrail #6361 . I also purchased the all of the Norfolk and Western versions . They kind of caught me off guard I was expecting them in September. Oh well I have them already and I’m happy with them. Thanks for sharing. Have a good weekend. 😎😎 👍

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

For some reason i thought they were september also - but believe me, i'm not complaining! i thought some of the NW versions would look cool on the layout but i am seriously running out of yard space and it's full of SD40-2s!... but, i'm not sure that's a problem - ok, i might have a problem but i am willing to admit it. not change it, but admit it.

[@dakotaziegler4]

Great review

[@joelbutler7501]

The box on the Engineer's side short walkway is for cab signals. Joe from the Sayerhurst Secondary in N Scale is a Conrail modeler and he has several videos about adding the cab signals box to his locomotives.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

ah, good memory. i miss Joe's vids - he was one of the first guys i followed religiously to toss in the towel. which, while i understand why he did, was a real shame because it's like catching the first couple seasons of a show only for it to be canceled before the end the story.

[@dwighthitchens9838]

@@joelbutler7501 Thank you for the information on the box. I appreciate it.

[@dwighthitchens9838]

Enjoyed your review. I do have the first run models and did have a problem with edges of the tank catching track joint on KATO unitrack . I noticed on my two CONRAIL SD40-2 models that I can see daylight between the bottom of the tank and the top of the track so it looks like Scale Trains addressed the tank dragging issue. The box you mentioned is something the PRR added to their units. I believe it’s a tool box but I couldn’t find where I read that so I may be wrong on what it is.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

On the first run, of which I ended up purchasing 5 of them (and might get a few more because I think I need the BN and CSX ones) I had three locations where the track wasn't fully aligned in the joiners and while other locos ran right over them - the first gen SD40-2s didn't. A quick filing job solved the issue which is good habit anyway because you don't want your wheels grinding over bad joints. another user commented the boxes were signal boxes but i haven't done any additional googling to find out.

[@joesestito4342]

Great review, thanks for sharing !!

[@wilzdart]

Your review on the SD40-2 was spot on. Scale trains makes a very detailed loco but that is a double edged sword if you want to weather the unit. Too bad they don't offer a pre weathered loco. I my self am not a fan of sound, spending more money for their programmer for a small roster of ESU installed locos. All my train friends here do not like the ESU sound decoders and replace them with Soundtraxx. This is what they tell me, like I said sound is not my thing. For me your reviews of locos, rolling stock, and other things related to the hobby are very informative. Thanks! WILL

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

You know, i'm surprised they have offered a pre-weathered unit too. although i can only imagine the cost! i haven't attempted to weather them yet but all those little pieces are just begging to be the victim of a weathering brush or a puff of air from the air brush. Interesting, i would take ESU over soundtraxx but that's my #1 and #2 choices so i don't think i'd change either out if a loco had it. i was never really much for sound - thought it was always too "small" in n scale. but these latest versions of small speakers and decoders really have me hooked.

[@Bliz0516]

I believe these loco’s use the 24 pin ESU decoder. Only ESU makes that decoder currently, and I don’t see anyone offering any kind of adapter. So… installing a soundtraxx would be difficult if not impossible. I think right now you are locked in to the ESU decoder. If anyone knows of any other option let me know I haven’t found any yet.

[@Conrail3385]

These Loco,s have a light board the decoder plugs into using Next18 plug. I switched out a ESU decoder in a GE C39-8 and plugged in a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 TSU-N18 decoder.

[@Bliz0516]

@@Conrail3385 from scaletrains for the SD40-2, “All of our models are equipped with a a new type of connector called an E-24 interface should you decide to install DCC at a later date. Our SD40-2 should accept any E-24 decoder.” I think Atlas has started using this too.

[@Conrail3385]

@@Bliz0516 ok, I get what your saying. The E-24 is somthing like a Next18 but smaller connection. ESU uses on there Nano decoders.

[@Bliz0516]

@@Conrail3385 correct. I have only found digitrax with a E24 interface sound decoder for about $55. I don’t much care for the sound from digitrax decoders but could be a good option for a non sound decoder. Don’t know if it would fit, as the scale trains kind of plugs from underneath the main board, but it does show an installation on an Atlas. Only other decoder is from Europe called Zimo. So, for now kind of stuck with ESU for a sound loco, and save $50 maybe a digitrax. Which would at least help non sound preferences.

[@AlleghenyNorthern]

I see y'all worked this out but yes, the new ESU decoders - the nanos are using the E24 connection. Another channel did a sound decoder review which i slightly disagreed with the outcome because I put quality over pricing and i think although ESU is the most expensive it results in the best quality sound. While Digitrax's control system is superb and their drop-in decoders are great - i wouldn't purchase their sound options. ESU is my go-to for sound with TSU a close second. I'm sure it'll only be a matter of time before all of them have a E24-connectable decoder.