athearnsd40-2review
Athearn
SD40-2 Review...
Athearn makes an excellent SD40-2 model. The powered
version retails for around $20-30 and the dummies $12-15. If you
see one pick it up. The Athearn kit does come in a Chessie B&O
paint job, but the orange color is way too reddish. If you buy a
painted one you would need to repaint the vermillion (orange) color.
The B&O was the only road to own this model.
They had only 20 units, #7600-7619.
I did my Athearn SD40-2 from an undecorated kit.
Although nearly perfect, there are still some changes to be made.
The shell attaches to the frame with pegs that fit into holes on the shell.
It is very unprotypical looking. Shave off the pegs and holes from
the shell. The 3 chime horn included in the kit can be saved for
another project. Chessie's SD40-2's came with 5 Chime Leslie horns.
Replace the kit horn with a Details West 5 Chime Leslie horn. The
kit also does not include a bell. Drill a hole on the side of the
long hood and put in a Details West side mounted bell. The kit comes
with cast grab irons, really just little ridges of plastic that are supposed
to be grab irons. Replace these with wire grabs. The kit also
comes without a Chessie rock pilot on the front or a good rear plow.
Use the Details West Chessie rock pilot for the front and Details West
#130 rear plow for the back. Add Details West unocupling levers,
fan grab iron, mu hoses and windshield wipers too. None of these
parts are included in the kit.
Below is a pic of a real SD40-2.
Below are finished pics of my SD40-2. Enjoy.
To see more look on my 7619cs-b&o
page or my Athearn
SD40-2 tips page.
((I am working on this project now))
