ScaleTrains SD40-2 Locomotives Power Rock Island Train #81

Two SD40-2 locomotives released by ScaleTrains Q1 2024 are powering freight train #81 on my Rock Island-based model railroad.

[@prrsd4046]

Bought Rock Island and Soo today to go with three ICG, two ex-ICG, two SF and three BN.

[@dmcry600]

The SD40s look Great!!!!! Nicely weathered!!!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!

[@jacksonthomas1851]

They sound and look great. Hoping to buy these soon

[@mikehowey4869]

Just like watching the prototype!

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

The classic SD40-2s are my faves. I have HO brass versions from Overland Models. Nice layout btw.

[@peterwoodley7473]

Fantastic rolling stock and layout

[@jdmills4370]

Sharp locomotives Nice views of the layout

[@MLWQC]

SUperb layout and trains. Excellent video.

[@fokusnikfim]

Hello. Klasse lakomotive 🛤️🚅🚌🚌🚌🚌🚌👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks.......Fim👮🏻🚂🤚🏻

[@farmerdave7965]

Beauty.

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

WOW ... That was great .... I'm subscribing now!!! 😁👍

[@rimodeler7963]

I appreciate you subscribing to my channel and thank you for your comments. Mike

[@tommythomason6187]

At least, when Rock Island could afford to buy locomotives in the troubled later years, they bought the best locomotives you could get. The SD40 -2 was the industry standard.

[@jdmills4370]

Very enjoyable. Thank you

[@rimodeler7963]

Thanks for watching and for your comments. Mike

[@danasoroko]

Rock Island line is a mighty fine line!

[@Virginiamidlandrr]

Great looking layout and motive power. Thanks for sharing!

[@elsdp-4560]

Thank you for sharing. Very much enjoyed.👍

[@theubaum]

Another great video!

[@olhemi1]

Remarkable, 🙂☕👍

[@davestrains6816]

Awesome looking train. Great video and thanks for sharing. Dave

[@nimbus7727]

The ScaleTrain models look incredible! The subtle weathering I imagine you did looks great, too!

[@joejoebus8814]

👍👍👍 NICE

[@theknickerbocker5808]

Another outstanding video Mike. Thanks for sharing. When might a Rocket make an appearance?

[@rimodeler7963]

There wouldn't be any "Rockets" operating on this segment of the RI as the time period for this current video is about 1974. The only Rockets still operating on the Rock Island were between Chicago - Quad Cities and Chicago - Peoria. Any videos I shoot with a time period prior to mid-1969 in mind are fair game for a passenger train to make an appearance. As always, thanks for your comments! Mike

[@conrailfan6277]

Awesome Mike, my favorite Conrail rostered a ton of SD40-2s clear up to the split with CSX and NS, Unit Grain Trains and Unit Coal Trains rolled by my house on the Big 4 Dow line here in Central Indiana headed up by 3 or 4 SD40-2S everyday!!!!

[@chadmartin1528]

FIRST!! Excellent work as always. Thanks for the eye candy🎉

[@davidl.miller8168]

Mike, Another winner!! I always enjoy seeing your awesome layout. There is always something new that catches my eye. How much of your rolling stock would you say is custom painted? I ask that as do not remember seeing a lot of it offered by the vendors.

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi David - Good question ....... I don't have a close count, but less than 10% of my rolling stock (about 1,100 cars) is custom painted. Of that percentage, I'd guess that I painted about 75% of them and the other 25% were purchased from others who did the custom work. Thank you for your comments and for watching the video. Mike

[@georgiasunbelt]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽NICE👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@daviddoege7562]

Awesome layout! 👌

[@beerlinemodeler]

Great video as always Mike! Question, where did you get the flashers for the crossing at the inter urban interchange?

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi John - The cantilevered crossing signals are offered by Walthers SceneMaster part number 949-4332. I think they may still be available. Thanks much for watching and for your comments! Mike

[@robertweber3140]

Great video Mike and thanks for sharing. Those SD40-2's were weathered and detailed authentically.

[@daveskinner5131]

Did you void the warranty when you weathered them properly?

[@rimodeler7963]

I'm not sure about the warranty issue due to weathering. I've got 200 locomotives and have never had to utilize the warranty. Thank you for watching the video. Mike

[@toddbehrends1373]

As your train was passing the Chicago Great Western yard, what does the P stand for on the signal mast?

[@rimodeler7963]

Hi Todd - The "P" indicates "Permissive Signal" meaning that if the signal aspect is red, a train may proceed past the signal without stopping but the train must not exceed restricted speed to the next signal. Restricted speed allows a train to proceed prepared to stop short of train, engine, obstruction, or switch not properly lined, looking out for broken rail, etc., but train must not exceed 20 MPH. I know that's a mouthful, but there you have it. Mike

[@toddbehrends1373]

@@rimodeler7963 Thanks Mike for the explanation. Love the videos. Are you going to have any OPs coming up?

[@rimodeler7963]

@@toddbehrends1373 - Planning to have an Op Session in May. Thank you for your interest. Mike

[@dkservice424]

Nice