ScaleTrains SD40T-2 N Scale Review - DaBob's ManCave

[@DaBobsNScaleMancave]

A much improved model from Scaletrains.com. See through radiator grills, a first for them in N scale. Lots of details all around.

[@mozzarella-king]

Good and thorough review. The technical term for the placard on the DRGW locomotive is ACI or Automatic Car Identification, which preceded more modern methods of identifying cars, like RFID. It as found that the bar codes would get dirty and not work and better methods were developed.

[@bryce2680]

The yellow thing is a rerailer to be used in the event they went on the ground.

[@odeooo16]

Hope they stick with the micro trains couplers!

[@orangehogger]

The "D" rings are replacement knuckles for couplers. If we break a knuckle on the train and its far, we drop one on the ground. The conductor goes to the break and close the airhose angle cock. I pull him up to where we drop the knuckle. He places it on a end walk way and then the engineer shoves him back to the break and he fixes the coupler and makes the joint. After a set and release on the brake air, we are set to go. Couplers way between 65 pounds to 85 pounds.

[@davidallen6333]

Scale trains are the best for details over any other model company !👍

[@g.w.7893]

If only they had a Kato drive.

[@bryce2680]

The "Snoot" (long) nose on the units was for housing extra radio equipment to communicate with other specifically equipped locos for unmanned helper service. Allowed the helpers to be controlled from the head end. Some were transmitters for the head end, and others were set up to be the receiving units. They then MUed to the other helper engines back in the train. Basically early version of DPU technology today.

[@bryce2680]

Beautiful locos. Thanks for the review! I have 4 SP Tunnel Motors coming after seeing yours and other reviews. Can't wait to run them!

[@smcnish1droid]

Thanks for the great review! I should have a couple showing up tomorrow and can’t wait.

[@dirtthunder1638]

The little placard that fell off was barcode that railroads used. A scanner would read in it as the train went by to keep track of cars and locomotives. Now they have a RFID on cars that do the same thing and GPS.

[@bryce2680]

The piece that fell off is the bar code for the locomotive that could be read by trackside readers to tell the RR where it is. Cars also had them. I'm not sure if that is still used today.

[@RichsModelingTrains]

Scale Trains is doing a great work except for one small thing. Please paint the wheel pickups. Besides that keep up the good work.

[@donaldshroyer8633]

Can you indicate the decoder brand and model installed in these locos?

[@DaBobsNScaleMancave]

From ScaleTrains.com product information section. DCC & sound equipped locomotives also feature: ESU LokSound 5 DCC & Sound decoder with “Full Throttle” One (1) cube-type speaker EMD 16 Cylinder 645E3 prime mover Operates on both DC and DCC layouts

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

ACI placard I believe