Athearn RTR 71749 HO Scale EMD SD40T-2 Southern Pacific SP 8281 DC

The SD40T-2 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division having a 16-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine producing 3,000 horsepower (2,240 kW). 312 SD40T-2s were built for North American railroads between April 1974 and July 1980. This locomotive and the SD45T-2 are popularly called tunnel motors, but EMD’s term is SD40-2s with “cooling system modifications” because they were designed for better engine cooling in tunnels. The difference between this locomotive and its non-tunnel motor cousin, the SD40-2, are the radiator intakes and radiator fan grills located at the rear of the locomotive. The radiator air intakes in this model were along the deck to allow more fresh, cooler air to enter and less hot exhaust fumes lingering around the tunnel’s ceiling.

SP’s Final order of SD40T-2’s were #8230-8299, placed in 1978. These units came equipped with some of the standard SP features including the full front and rear SP light packages and L front cab window. Some stand-out features included extended range dynamic brakes and exhaust silencer. They eventually became part of the UP fleet and were sold off to other owners after UP no longer needed them.

FEATURES:

• SP Front and Rear light package (Gyralight effect in DCC)
• “L” Window cab
• Cab-mounted Nathan 3-chime horn
• Extended range dynamic brakes
• Front large anticlimber
• 88” nose with class lights (non-operational)
• Large EMD front plow
• Exhaust silencer
• Fine scale handrails
• Photo-etched windshield wipers
• Separately applied air tanks
• LED Lighting
• HTC truck sideframes
• See-through cab windows
• Welded electrical cabinet air filter box
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• See-through dynamic brake fans
• “Mushroom” nose vent on right side
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends
• Late Dash-2 cab, front window arrangement per prototype
• See-through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox specific for the tunnel motor
• Speed recorder attached to appropriate axle per prototype
• McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
• Chassis accepts Genesis motor retro fit kit for an even higher performance motor
• DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plug™ technology
• Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• Highly-detailed, injection molded body
• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

SPECIFICATIONS:

• DCC: Ready/21-Pin NEM
• Era: 1971-1993
• Prototype Manufacturer: EMD
• Axles: 6
• Sub Brand: ATHEARN
• Lighted: LED
• Sound: Ready
• Minimum Radius: 18″ (457 mm)
• Reporting Mark: SP
• Full Road Name: Southern Pacific
• Scale: HO