Product Review HO ScaleTrains C40 9 NS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- This week Dan reviews the new HO scale GE C40-9 locomotive from ScaleTrains. Unique to Norfolk Southern, these locomotives entered service in 1995 and lasted until they were rebuilt in 2018. These were the only Dash-9 locomotives built with standard, or spartan cabs. This model train is loaded with detail, and comes with an ESU LokSound DCC and sound decoder pre-installed. Painted in the NS pre-horsehead scheme, this black beauty will make a stunning addition to any modern era model train layout. Dan evaluates the model's packaging, prototype accuracy, paint & detail, and how well it operates and conforms to applicable standards. This product review and unboxing also includes the new RIP Track segment, where Dan does a little work on the engine. If you're a fan of Norfolk Southern or modern era HO scale motive power be sure to check this one out!
The horn is correct for the locomotive as-built. They were all built with K5LA horns with the 2 and 4 bells reversed which is what the brass casting is. NS replaced the horn with a P5 horn at a later date.
Thanks for the info! Now I can keep the horn for my 1990s era.
I like the additional segment in tje video where you attempt to fix the engine!
I'm glad you like it. Thanks for watching!
Loving the new RIP track segment! I have 2 ScaleTrains dash 9’s and one of mine had a broken step, loose snow plow and a non working ditchlight. Using this to fix them. Good to know that ScaleTrains fixed their coupler boxes to accept kadees. I knew their first announcements couldn’t. Keep it up!
I'm glad you like the new segment and found it useful. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for all your reviews. They are a great help for modelers.
You're welcome. I'm glad you like them. Thanks for watching!
Excellent job Dan! I believe it’s a real crime that none of those standard cab Dash 9s were preserved, instead they were all rebuilt as AC44C6Ms. At least there’s a standard cab Dash 8 from UP preserved.
That model is quite good looking, even despite the issues. And as I’ve probably said before; No models should ever be delivered damaged regardless of the price, I just find it very unacceptable when they arrive like that.
I'm glad you liked the review. I wasn't aware that there weren't any of these around anymore, so thanks for the info. Brand new models with damage right out of the box are always disappointing for sure. Thanks for watching!
Nice. And usually a great product from ScaleTrains. Regret you had some issues. But the being the expert modeler you are, your corrections seemed to work. Great review. 🚂
Thankfully most of the issues were fixable without too much trouble. Thanks for watching!
Extremely well done! Personally, I love your reviews of their consistency, objectivity, fairness and numerical scoring system. Thank you!
I'm glad you like the reviews. Thanks for watching!
All in all still a very nice engine!!
Just think Dan adding those step
and ground light LED'S would take
a few extra hours to add those to
a model, it's nice Scale Trains and
Athearn are starting to make those
standard on their locomotive models!! Keep up the great work
Dan!!
So far I haven't done any step or ground lights on the models I've detailed myself. I may think about it, though. It would look neat, especially during "night" operations. Thanks for watching!
SUPER BEAUTIFUL MODELS,ONLY THE YELLOW DEFROSTERS ON THE FRONT WINDOWS ARE MISSING,AND THE CHAIN THAT CONNECTS THE LEVER OF THE MANUAL RELEASE TO THE FRONT HOOK,HE ALSO LACKS THE LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE THE TROLLEYS AND THE 4 LADDERS
I only have a few NS units, but I really like them. Thanks for watching!
Great video, love how you showed how to fix the issues.
People seem to like the new segment. I'm glad you did, too. Thanks for watching!
Great review Dan!
Thanks for watching!
After watching your reviews for a number of years it seams that manufacturers would do themselves a favor by having more knowledgeable eyes on a model when they receive their pilot models from the factory. Having “editors” who know the subject is crucial to having a quality product especially when the item being produced is targeted to the upper end of the market. Your effort to address the errors is a big plus to all even if we are not purchasing the particular item you are reviewing.
Hopefully you can work in a couple of more Sunday shows similar to your BN SD40-2 that you did several weeks ago. I came away from that with confidence that I could rework some of my old Blue Box units into higher standards than they have now. Thanks for your efforts Dan.
I will be doing more showcase type videos. I have a fair number of finished models I can draw from. I am not an NS expert by any means, but I make an effort to study photos of the real thing whenever possible as I'm writing up a review. Thanks for watching!
wow! nice looking train...... thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Great video! I have on pre-order a CN ET44AC, SP SD45, Southern SD40-2, & SP SD40T-2 from ScaleTrains! Cant wait to get them-lol!
ScaleTrains makes nice models generally. Thanks for watching!
Great review Dan! I just gave reviewing these beasts a whirl and I have to admit you make this look so easy!
Good review of a much needed model. Just hope Scale Trains do it undecorated as it would be a shame to have to strip the NS livery off one or two.
I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!
GREAT REVIEW VERY INFORMATIVE AND INTERESTING THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY AND YOUR TIME AND THIS. AWESOME.
I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!
Great review Dan. I really like you added how you fixed a few things. I'm excited to see Scaletrain's Southern SD45. I have a bunch of Athearn RTRs but I'm curious to see theirs. Still also waiting to see the Broadway Limited SD45'S also. I believe BLI is having theirs made on the moon and shipped via Saturn !!
I wonder if the BLI SD45 will ever see the light of day, with so many examples of that unit being produced already. Sort of like Intermountain's stillborn HO SD40T-2 project. ScaleTrains definitely beat them to punch on those...
I have a ScaleTrains SD45 on pre-order, which I review when it arrives. I may pass on the BLI. Thanks for watching!
Great Review Dan!!! I purchased 3 BNSF Heritage III from this run and they are beautiful engines. I have the same step issue on all 3, though mine appear to be just detached as opposed to broken (hopefully) so thanks for that tutorial on fixing them. Must be some issue at the factory because the packaging is great. Overall I’m very pleased with the models and have more on preorder from the next run.
Sorry you also had to deal with that. I'm glad the models are good otherwise. Thanks for watching!
Being a EMD gewroo this is a nicely done up model and thanks for the good review, but I got a little nervous when you were horsing around that big ol exhaust stack fearing you might get burned from a turbo fire these things are know for. So be careful and don't be looking down in that deep black stack, you never know when that things goin a blow 🙃 I'm finding a couple of these fine jewels for my shelf layout 👍
So far none of my HO scale GE's have caught fire. I will be careful, though. Thanks for watching!
Daniel as always your reviews are to the point. I got one and thanks for workable tips. You know I which manufacturers would offer More RailRoad specific logos and rolling stock. Those UP steel coil cars #210000-21100 could be kitbashed and the same for Southern bulkhead flats 114200 series and it's 50' cousin the #116100 plus batch.
I'm glad you like the reviews and the new RIP Track segment. Thanks for watching!
Even though they dont seem to have road number specific detail, when they do, it is great. One of the best features is road number specific detail.
It's nice to see some manufacturers headed in that direction. Thanks for watching!
I had the same issue with my DCC ready version I purchased ( rear conductor side lower step). Also thanks for saying which Kadee to use as I was wanting to replace my couplers as well and wasn't (I have a couple operator locos and the plastic couplers don't work very well at all)
I swear by the the 158's. Love the whiskers !! I use them on 99% of everything I have.
The 158 is my go-to coupler for most situations, too. I'm glad you found the review useful. Thanks for watching!
Someday both couplers will be the same height and I will light up agood cigar lol😁
Once in a while it happens. Thanks for watching!
Very nice review
For your lack of enthusiasm monotone, I'm taking 25 points.
Monotone? That was that other channel. Thanks for watching!
Wow, the grill height and missing hole on the trucks is a great call. Love the C40-9 tophats, but didn't even notice those on my engines.
It's easy to overlook. I really had to pour over the photos I found to find those things. Thanks for watching!
While I have no interest in this engine, I did notice your inclusion of coupler centering -- great. As usual, a thorough and informative review. This gives me a warm fuzzy for the SD45s I have coming.
I'm glad you liked the review. I have one of the ScaleTrains SD45s on pre-order, so when it gets here I'll do a review of it. Thanks for watching!
I had a feeling that this N.S. engine was going to rate i guessed 80 points i was close off by 5 points. It looks great. runs smooth I'm sold ☺ good demo satisfisfying review!
I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!
Great reviews Dan.
Thanks for watching!
Will you be reviewing the Scale Trains Southern Pacific AC4400CWs when they come out?
Yes. I have 3 of them on pre-order. I'm looking forward to seeing those. Thanks for watching!
@@DanielCortopassi awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing your review.
I've preordered a few myself. 😅
Excellent review.
Thanks for watching!
Nice review as usual Dan. That's a shame that you received another ST unit with damage right out of the box. I picked up several of these myself; I am an SP/DRGW guy but these are awesome units and were frequent visitors to my area ever since new. The only issue I had was one sunshade that was loose in one of the boxes, but it was an easy repair for me. That step damage is pretty bad but at least you have great modeling skills so you were easily able to repair it.
I'm glad you got units that weren't damaged in the same way. Another person commented that they got one with a broken step also. Thanks for watching!
Nice review, I have one myself and when it arrived, one of the windshield pieces was broken and there was a scuff mark on the nose, I do agree there should be no defects for models this expensive and better quality control should be implemented for the parts.
Sorry to hear yours had damage, too. Just a little better quality control and these models would be truly awesome. Thanks for watching!
By removing that speed recorder, does that damage the paint or anything on the trucks?
Mine came out without breaking anything. It looks like I might have had to touch up the paint inside the hole, but that was about it. Thanks for watching!
Your welcome!
I purchased a C39-8 from Scaletrains last year and one of the roof grills were missing. If one of my friends did a review and assessment on that loco, he would of failed it and would not recommend purchasing this model. Couplers should still be replaced with the "Kadee 158's".
I previously reviewed an HO Conrail C39-8 from ScaleTrains. Mine didn't have anything that bad wrong with it, but it didn't get a perfect score, either. All I can say is that I do my best to be consistent and do the same evaluations on all the models I review, and they score what they score. I did replace the couplers on this one, too. Thanks for watching!
Do any of the wheels on this engine have traction tires? I'm assuming if they did you would have mentioned that. I prefer locomotives that do not have traction tires. The pulling power of this one is why I asked. Quite good, especially if all steel wheels.
Most diesels don’t
There are no traction tires. Most of the time diesels don't have them. Thanks for watching!
@@DanielCortopassi No problem! I thoroughly enjoy watching all of them. Any reviews in the backlog?
Hey Dan I got my replacement train everything seems to be working right but I had a question for you I noticed that there’s only ground lights on one side coming from underneath the train is that correct?
Catching up on comments... they are on the engineer's side, if I recall. I'm not sure if that's correct or not (as opposed to having them on both sides). Thanks for watching!
Thanks!
Since the real life engine was rebuilt with a wide cab, would it be possible to do the same to this?
Nsmodeler24 on TH-cam has a video on how to do this.
Scaletrains will eventually do the AC44C6Ms, probably better to wait for that. And if you want to do one now, it would probably be easier to use a widecab model.
I'm sure it's possible. I haven't studied the rebuilt units so I don't know how different they are, aside from the obvious new cab. Thanks for watching!
Dan, notice how the walkway is bent down at the rear of the unit. I'd have hit them with -15 for that. It looks terrible.
I must have missed that. Thanks for pointing it out!
Where would one find the draw bar tool? To measure the draw bar pulling strength?
It's been a while but I think I got the force gauge from Micro-Mark. The connector is just a bent paper clip. Thanks for watching!
Enjoyable review as always, with a notable exception though: it was interrupted twice with ads during the review. Have you enabled advertising? Kind of ruins it from a viewers perspective.
I have had ads enabled since I got enough subscribers and views to monetize the channel. Unfortunately my ability to control the types of ads is very limited. It is an issue that I'm thinking about. Thanks for watching!
Daniel Cortopassi If they are paying you hundreds of bucks a month then keep them. If it is just a few dollars consider the detrimental effect to your viewer numbers. Perhaps set up a Patreon account? Your videos are good enough for me to consider a monthly donation. Better than enduring ads!
Dan, could you check your model to see if there are any glue marks where the bottom of the long hood meets the walkways? Mine has some pretty prominent glue marks. I checked my earlier run Dash 9s and they all have glue marks there too but they are much smaller and less visible over lighter colored paint.
I just got mine out of the box and didn't see any glue marks in that area. Maybe I got lucky just having a broken step. Thanks for watching!
Daniel Cortopassi OK, good to know. Thanks for doing that!
The size/style of the front numberboards are incorrect. Also, the MU cable arrangement is the wrong style for NS Dash 9's.
I got out the model and went back and looked at the photos I collected of NS 8765, dated from 1999-2006, and I'm not seeing what you're seeing. The number boards look right to me. It does look like the right hand side MU connector in front may be a little further toward the step well than it is on the model. I didn't see that when I did the review. Thanks for watching!
I just purchased this train and out of the box the number board lights and walkway lights do not come on initial start up.
any advise??? did reset and still does not work...
I haven't opened up this engine, but a lot of the newer ScaleTrains diesels have electrical contacts instead of wires between the shell and the chassis. This makes the model easier to take apart, but if the shell isn't seated all the way, then sometimes the lights don't work. You might try gently pressing the shell down toward the chassis and see if that helps. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your help , already sending it back, scaletrains thinks it might be a program issue...
Hi Dan, I see several types of coupler height gauges online; which do you use?
In HO I usually use the Kadee #205 metal gauge. Mine has a #58 coupler on it (I think it also includes a #5 so you can use either one). I like this one because the coupler is mounted rigidly to the gauge, rather than in a draft gear box. That keeps the coupler on the height gauge from flexing up and down, so the reading is more accurate. I have one of the older Kadee gauges with a #4 coupler, and also one of their newer plastic ones. I like the 205 best. I use it in all my reviews. Thanks for watching!
Can you review a C40-8?
th-cam.com/video/Gv5yBnFJzFc/w-d-xo.html
I have a couple of those in HO from Atlas. I'm considering doing some "retro" reviews of older models so I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@DanielCortopassi No problem, nice! Hoping to see reviews of some of their stuff like the Modern Commuter Train (ALP-45DP, Multilevels) and their latest run of SD35s, RSDs, RS3s, among others.
AC44C6M not AC446CM
Thanks for the info!
@@DanielCortopassi And man, I know you like your trains to be kind of uniform. But let me tell you. When it comes to the real deal. Things aren't perfect. As a conductor myself for NS. Couplers are not always perfectly matched and level. Some times they hang low. Often times one sits a little higher than the other. Also, I noticed something else. Maybe other railroads call it something else. But I know at NS we call it a Coupler Cut Lever. or Cut lever for short. And last thing. I know you try to go off the prototypes. But these locomotives change constantly. I've seen a rebuilt Dash 9 into a AC44C6M that when rebuilt was painted in the horsehead scheme. But when it rolled through my yard. It had the original NS paint scheme. I still don't know why but I knew that all C6Ms are supposed to have the horsehead scheme so I looked it up and sure enough it originally did. So why it was changed I will never know. I even have a picture of the engine I took and one of it freshly painted.
I have seen that myself, full sized couplers being slightly mismatched. The main reason I am so fussy about coupler height for models is to prevent unwanted uncoupling, especially on grades. I talked about this in a program I did on the channel a while back on fixing coupler height. As for uncoupling levers, I've heard them called a lot of things. I figure if I'm consistent then people will know what I'm talking about. And yes, real locomotives do change, especially as they get older. One of the reasons I like modeling SP in the 1990s is that a lot of their locomotives were old and no two were exactly alike. I have to evaluate a model by the references I can find, though. Thanks for watching!
So with Athearn take 10 or 20 for plastic couplers .
I prefer metal couplers myself. I don't take points for plastic couplers because I consider it a preference. This model has metal couplers. Thanks for watching!
Out of curiosity why do you model in the 1990's?
Back in the late 80s I started modeling the present day, but I soon realized that the present day doesn't stand still. My favorite railroads, SP and Santa Fe, were both merged out of existence in the mid 1990s. I decided to freeze my era pre-1996 so that I could keep running SP and Santa Fe stuff. I also find the era interesting as you could find a lot of Rio Grande running on the SP, and Santa Fe had both the red and silver warbonnets and the blue and yellow scheme. Thanks for watching!
@@DanielCortopassi Ah I was born that year the Union and Southern Pacific and the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe merged.
With recent events, im temped to get this unit, & 2 of the recent announcements. (Y'all BNSF fans keep yer hands off BNSF 6111!)
Overall I think it's a nice model. Thanks for watching!
Can you review the Scaletrains ho Thrall Trinity coil steel cars?
I have two of those on my workbench right now, with the review partially shot. I should have it out soon. Thanks for watching!
Thanks Daniel, I look forward to it!
I had to stop watching because you tooooo damn picky!!!
I may be picky, yes. I think for the prices we pay for detailed models, though, someone needs to be. Thanks for watching!