'MY TAKE' & Review: Scaletrains SD40-2's (Norfolk Southern) (2017)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- My overview and honest opinion of Scaletrains new SD40-2, Rivet Counter - Norfolk Southern version. The good and the bad. Also, I forgot to mention the warped front anti-climber in the video. Be sure to look for it.
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I agree with you sir! Brand new, shouldn't have issues. No matter what the fix, it needs to be right. Glad to see you back! Ray
Nice to see you back at doing train reviews and videos, Derek! I chatted with the one of the sales reps or owners of Scale Trains at the Spring Creek Model Train Show in Deshler,NE on Saturday.
Hey Roy, thanks man! I'm not sure how much I am going to back yet. Still massively busy at work. Hope you are doing well.
~Deryk
DG Modelworks I'm doing good. Didn't even know it posted a video. I was scrolling through and I see a post from you, holy cow, Deryk's back at! Hooray! I never got rang. I'll have to check my settings! I caught the train show in Deshler,NE this weekend. Saw Pelle Soeberg! Got his autograph and chatted with him during lunch. A really nice guy! Also, I know what I'm modeling now. Check out that cold storage warehouse and container yard/ port on the video that I posted! I can definitely do that on my basement layout! But my port will be on a dead end! Coming soon to a video for your enjoyment! lol Roy
Even though Atlas locomotives doesn't have quite the detail I have personally found them to be incredibly well done and some of my favorites.
scale trains did do a fantastic job on these, and your overview was done so as well. As for getting new broken merchandise i totally agree with you on that. it's not on the consumer to fix
looking at the video with the light leak, sand lines problem and ditch lights hacked i wont buy the first one .all that is a major turn off for me.sry guys.
Deryk, great to see you back! Thanks for telling us the good and bad things you find. Your word and review means a lot to me. Over all this looks like a great loco! I hope you and your family enjoy a fun 4th of July!
Thanks buddy, I appreciate it! I hope you have a great 4th also!
~Deryk
Deryk, glad to see you're getting back to trains and your videos. Cheers, Kevin
Looks like I'm not the only one with flaws on the sd40s. I got the BN version, the front handrail is super bent out of shape, and a lot of paint flaws. I emailed them with pictures too, and got a similar response. Otherwise, very happy with the model!
Did it come with a BN picture or the same NS picture?
I’ve bought 9 of them paint sucks rubs off just picking it up
Fantastic review. Very honest and thorough. I recently just received mine and love it. I agree, they did a fantastic job.
Couldn't agree more with your assessment at the end of the video, Deryk. I'm with you, if you spend this kind of money that Scale Trains EXPECTS you to spend on their stuff then you should get as close to 100% accuracy and quality as possible. Those ditch light housings should be corrected at the company's expense. I hope you can follow through with that.The president of the company has said himself in videos that this engine is going to be the industry standard, as you mentioned, however, I too disagree with his belief. The engine (My wife also bought the NS Rivet Counter for me for Christmas last year.) IS very nice but the quality can be found in other products. The extra features these have in the decoder and body detail do exceed other manufacturers but that doesn't make this an industry standard in my opinion. Still I am happy with the engine and I also LOVE that horn!!! Scale Trains guys seem to cop an attitude when you criticize their products, as happened with me, when I questioned why the delay in shipping (originally to ship in Jan of 2017 and then delayed to April. Which still did not happen! ). The answer we got was that it was "due to the Chinese New Year". Shane took offense to that and I had to reply with a lengthy explanation to him which is what I was trying to avoid in the first place. Anyway, great review. Sorry that you had another less than stellar purchased product delivered to you but I think you will be satisfied with these engines in the long run, as you stated. Keep the vids coming and I hope to see more work on your layout in the future. Dale in Idaho.
Thank you so much for commenting Dale! I appreciate you taking the time to reply in such detail. Sorry that you had a little problem of your own. I ended up sending both the loco's back for repair/replacement. I must say, turnaround was about a week, and the once I got back are pretty stellar. I'm very happy with them now, and I'm glad they honored the warranty. I think they might be expecting a little too much from the Chinese. Whenever it comes to quality, Scaletrains is no different than any other manufacturer who gets their stuff from China. I hope they soon realize that before they put a guarantee on it. I would hate to see them lose reputation because of promising something they can't provide. I DO think their issues are hit and miss. Just like any other manufacturer. I'm curious to see how their Tier 4 Gevo is. I have one of them coming. Along with one from Intermountain. Can't wait to review and compare them. I will provide my complete honest and unbiased review, just like always.
Thanks again! Deryk
Great to hear that they took care of the engines and in such short time too. That's a plus. Looking forward very much to hearing your review of the Gevos. I agree that their expectations of the Chinese are greater than what the company receives in their products and, yes, their issues are hit and miss BUT, the thing that sticks in my craw is the fact that their FIRST 3 PRODUCTS (ENGINES) all had production problems requiring their return to China for retooling and restart of the production; HO Turbine, N Scale Turbine and these SD-40-2's. That is not a very good track record and I hope they get control of that soon or I'm afraid their reputation will be harmed, as you said. The delay was very frustrating for us regarding this SD-40 but MAN, is it worth it!!! Talk to you later. Dale
Can't please all of the people all the time, but you can please some of the people some of the time. So said a Model Railroader, it's a tough business to do a review honestly and fair. This was fair & balance review, not harsh, but it address the problems you saw, you also highlighted the positive. I purchased this same engine except in "Operators" so if the " Rivet Counter" had a few flaws in it, than I think I will be ahead of the game with the "Operators." Good stuff Deryk!!!
Thanks Big Bill, and you are correct, you can't please everyone. I believe I heard that saying when I was in school. And it's an accurate statement. I hope everything arrives perfect for your loco.
~Deryk
well I just spent 839$ on 2 of these. C&O. so I hope they come out almost perfect. love the video sir. I would never say you are bashing any thing or one. you give a great opinion and review. that being said. you reviewed, I bought 2.. well done sir.
sparky107107 $839 for 2? They are $139 each on their site
Thanks David! That sounds a little on the steep side for price. Is it because you are in Canada?
~Deryk
glad to see you back at it, i can't believe that they put factory in stalled esu power pack, great review thanks for sharing.
Good to see you back. Great review. I whole heartily agree with your opinion on buying anything new and it's delivered condition.
Thanks Aaron!
Thanks for your perspective on the Scaletrains SD40-2 I like how you up front about things! Good to hear from you again!
Thanks John, yeah I've been AWOL lately. My work has been crazy busy all year so far. I don't have much play time.
~Deryk
Deryk, great review and I like the "honest approach" to your video both as a modeler and a consumer. You were right on point with your response to whomever made the comment and thought you were bashing the product. I'm waiting for the SD40-3 to hit the shelves, I've seen them on CSX freight in my area and they are some fine looking units. Great to see you back on You Tube and glad you did this review. Looking forward to more and thanks again for the honesty in your review.
D. Muse
Thank you David, I do appreciate it! Honesty is the best policy.
~Deryk
Thanks Derek, and welcome back.... missed you! Great review and couldn't agree more. One other thing that bothered me was a shot of the grab iron on the hood in the early part of your film. It looked grotesquely out of level? Camera angle or was it wrong? Keep the real thing coming. Cheers Lance
Thanks Lance, yes there is something wrong with that area of the locomotive, I can't figure it out. Actually looking at it from the front, it appears the anti-climber is warped. Such a shame, because these have massive potential. Both my units have issues of some sort.
~Deryk
Appreciate the honesty Deryk!! I'm digging your new intro and exit! do each of the sd40-2s have different horns that you have?
Thanks man! There are a bunch of different horns to choose from. But each road name will have the correct horn already set as default from the factory. If you want to change the horn you can. I'm sure you can use this same horn with different road names.
This review helped me decide to buy one (NS 3216), and also prepared me for things to look out for. Yes, the sand lines are a "defect." I don't want to nip them or alter them for now, as it's only an irritant. I have 6 more days to bring it back to my hobby shop for a refund, and 29 more days for an exchange for merchandise, so I don't want to do anything until I'm SURE it's a keeper. Looking good for now. No light leak, the ditch light housings are all OK. The anti-climber doesn't look quite right, but when I looked at on-line images, not all of them looked right, either.
That's great to hear! Glad you got a keeper. They really are nice locos, and I'm sure they don't all have faults. Probably just my typical bad luck, hahaha. No seriously, I have terrible luck with new locomotives. Anyways, Thanks for the comment, and enjoy your new loco.
~Deryk
You can contact Scale Trains Support for information on how to change those sand lines.
Thanks for the review and welcome back! Always enjoy your reviews. This one more so because I ordered one late last week and its on the truck for delivery today. I will be counting rivets. I have to say if mine comes in with the warped anti-climber and shaved ditch lights it's going right back. Depending on how that goes, I have two more CSX SD-40-3's coming and one or two Gevos. I would reconsider having those orders filled. Also, glad you showed the truck gear box. Are they really as large as they appear in the video? Was there any attempt to model the traction motors? If not, that's going in the wrong direction. I appreciate your honest comments on what you buy much better than smooth talking fan boys; so please keep the videos coming.
First of all.. it's nice to see you in the train room..I think they are super nice engines and yes you shouldn't have to fix something brand new..as far as sound goes and lights are hands down the best I seen..thanks buddy for sharing and keep up the great work and the straight shooting on what you see.. thanks Lance 🚂👍👍🚂
Thanks Lance, I appreciate it buddy!
Long time no see indeed. always good to see your videos. keep em coming brother!
Thanks my friend!
Bought two Southern units. They look great. Sound great. But the first thing I had to do was fight multiple derailments. The sand line issue was horrible and I had to cut them all off before the units would run without derailing or clicking horribly. You were right to complain and the point was dead on. They should not have been shipped that way....in particular given they have known about the issue for a while. I'm still struggling with the units derailing frequently, especially if run with both units together. I have high hopes for these models but for now I'm struggling more to make them run out of the box than I like. Great reviews by the way
Great review, Deryk! These look like nice models and I appreciate your detailed look. The SD40-2 is a favorite of mine as you might have guessed and glad that Scale Trains is making them. I may have to replace some older locos of mine one day with some of these! Take Care!
Thanks Brian! The SD40-2 is also a favorite of mine. I have/had to thin down my collection of them to make room for these. Hence your new MRL from me. hahahaha
~Deryk
for the money i think scaletrains did a great job, I think the best in the market.
Great video! I have some C&NW rivet counter units on order that are expected to come out in November. With all these complaints about quality, I hope that gives them enough time to fix these issues on future runs.
Thank you! I hope so also.
Hi Deryck super revue (natch !} and what awesome "close ups" maybe a revue of the camera you're using next eh !! Looks a great model from a relatively new manufacturer and as you say the sound , especially the horn is terrific.
Thank ya my friend! The camera I use is just a simple Sony Handicam model CX230. I really like it!
~Deryk
Had the same thing with a new Atlas gold. Purchased and never made it around the track and keep losing power. Sent it back to the store. This was my first Atlas purchase and yes the wheels were cleaned. Maybe my last Atlas for a while. I do expect to it work when it is new purchase not to fix elec. wiring. Good comment about factory issue and I support it.
I agree that horn is fantastic. That would be a Nathan P5, common on most ex-SOU and ex-N&W units. I have one of these coming in soon.
Thanks for an honest review Deryk. Don't worry, the real units have flaws too, especially the first batch that was completed at Altoona. After a number of complaints from the crews they did address some of the issues and the later versions were much better. Personally, I like the Admiral Cab better than the Crescent Cab on the SD60E units.
It is good to hear they added weight to these units. I was thinking that maybe they were just Athearn Genesis units with LokSound and LEDs. I did find out that the couplers are plastic. And it looks like the handrails bend just like Athearn units. One day I hope the standard is scale Kadee couplers and brass handrails. Tim
Thanks Tim! I do agree with you. And I'm also not a big fan of the Crescent Cab, but I also don't ride in them either, so I'm sure it's a little worse for you.
~Deryk
Hi Deryk ,long time no see mate ,good to see you in the train room again ,wow there a nice looking loco ,for a new company out they done a good job on these beast shame for the couple little problems on them ,thank for the honest opinion on them mate ,cheers Ron B
Honestly I completely agree with you and your reviews are fantastic.
Thanks buddy!
Awesome review. I have two ET44s on order and may order a CSX Sponge Bob SD40-3. Cannot wait, saw them first hand last weekend, amazing models.
But in regards to what you were saying, it's amazing how easily people get offended and all defensive at the slightest bit of criticism. Why people would get upset at a fair, and honest review, I don't get. Constructive criticism is meant for improvement, not berating.
Pointing out any flaws informs manufacturers of what improvements are needed for future runs... at least if they are paying attention to what reviewers are saying.
Very well said! I also have an ET44 on order, might be interesting to see how they arrive. LOL
"Sponge Bob SD40-3" How appropriate. Hadn't heard that yet. lol. Thanks
Haha... yep, Sponge Bob Square Cab.
I am new to the Scaletrains, but a friend has just ordered and received his first GEVO from scaletrains!!! I am interested in the product, however, not sure I want to deal with so many flaws as you have pointed out. Let me know if it's worth it after you have made adjustments on yours!
Couldn't agree more....the sand lines, even though it's a little problem compared to the overall look, functionality of the unit. However it goes further if you think on it. If your going to make a product you are "proud of" then have it as close to 100% as you can. If not, then why design and build the thing at all. This is reflective of most things in our country, build it, hope no one notices if there is a problem and if they do just listen then blow them off. Ty Deryk for your honesty and don't change.
Thank you Mike! I couldn't agree more!
~Deryk
I dug into other models' sand hoses and it just looks like ScaleTrains tried to get a wee bit TOO realistic. Most others are just little plastic nubs that sort of point to the wheels.
I agree with you about that sand lines, I am about to receive my first Scale Model Rivet Counter SD 40T-2, I hope it comes perfect.
Ty for showing us your sd40-2 from scaletrains keep up your vid’s bro!
Welcome back derek... you have been missed! good video.
Thank you!!! :)
~Deryk
One of the Best, Well Done Product Reviews I've seen! Dan
Thanks Dan!
~Deryk
great honest review as always. good seeing a video from you again.
Thank you! I pride myself in giving honest reviews. That's the only format I will use.
~Deryk
DG Modelworks thats the way to do it
I'm a guy who can really afford blue box models off eBay at a deal price. So if I save to buy a 200+ loco I want it to be correct I have to do enough to try to make the blue box models look right.
I bought two HO Scale Rivet Counter NS SD40-2s nice locomotives, I wasn't a big fan of the provided couplers so I replaced them with #36 Kadee couplers also I went around the locomotive and had to put a little super gluevwhere the hand railings could easily pop-out it was maybe two or three areas. I also put a dab of glue on the front and back hand rails also. Other than that they ran and look great. The lighting is outstanding.
When I replaced the couplers I kept the provided coupler housings with the brass or copper spring I just took out the crappy coupler and added the #36 Kadee coupler which is a Long CenterSet shank.
Good to know. Thanks for the info!
great review..and you always mention the good, the bad and the ugly.. that's why its a great review. Tom
Thank you Tom, I just tell the truth in my reviews, I feel that's only fair.
~Deryk
Actually Soundtraxx has resolved the issue with lighting functionality with Scale Trains locomotives
Thanks for sharing Deryk, our thought process is very similar. Good honest review. Ed.
Thank you Ed!
~Deryk
Last week I purchased from Scaletrains, the union pacific excursions water tender set for my Big Boy Locomotive. I have the complete set with matching passenger cars used on their US journey. The American Flag on the first tender looks beautiful. Now my problem, the flag tender derails on all my turnouts. The tender can't handle my 6s and 8s. I wrote to Scale trains about the problem and told them why they were derailing because of trucks they use and all of their detailing that was included. I haven't heard a word from them. That is too bad because they just lost a good customer. I guess I'll just leave them on the shelf for display. Thank you..
Great video critique. You covered it all from the good and the bad. As it should be. And you are correct. When one spends two to three hundred $ for a top of the line product, one should expect excellence. Just wondered how well the hand rails stack up to other manufacturers. And do they stay in place. Again, appreciate you honesty.Jim AZ
nice model for sure ! and simulated ballast is awesome, you extreme hobby guys sure do make it east to feel like a kid again
you're right if I get something new I shouldn't have to fix it myself I have a lot of SD40-2 locomotives in Athearn. Kato and BLI
It's been about two and a half months since your review, 8:40. If you still don't know what the couplers are made from - they're "diecast" metal knuckle couplers. I thought I'd post this tiny bit of info in case you haven't found out and still interested in knowing what they're made from.
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! Also thanks for watching and subscribing...!
~Deryk
Hey Deryk Glad to see ya Back doing Them, Great Videos of Yours Them Engines are Sweet & Sound Awesome I got 2 KATO SDP40F'S Santa Fe RD # 5250 & 5253 they have Lok' Sound and for N scale my 5253 sounds like a Very Big Boy when Running Down the Rails.. Soon I'll put a Video on my Channel so you can see em' Run.. I wanted to pass on Deryk you mentioned the Engine had a little Jerkyness in the Drive Well soon after I got my 5253 I was talking to Otis @ M.T.S. My 5250 had a slight bit of Jerkyness, And he said try this and you can do this while the Engine is on the Main, program on the Main set CV 48 to a Value of 0 once that is set hit the escape and with 2ft of clear Rail Press Function (1) the AirHorn the Engine will Roll out fast slow Down then stop and & the Horn will Blow.. The Engine should Run smoother Running this procedure fixes the binding in the Drive. If you Google CV-48 Value of 0 you'll see Info Via Intermoutain & Lok Sound Sound Decoder's the Info I got from Otis is midway Down on Intermountains Paige.. Again it's Great to see ya Back Deryk we need ta chat sometime on Telly.. Hope ya have Great 4th of July Take Care.. Allen D.
Thanks Allen!
Its QC issues DG You have a good point!
great video deryk i couldn't agree more you shouldn't have to fix something brand new, i would say the industry standard right now is between MTH and Athearn but thats just me anyways look forward to more layout updates and hopefully there tier 4 is better. great vid
Thanks Nick! Hopefully I can back to the layout soon.
Very nice model! Love that horn! Wish the sand lines weren't pressing on the wheels.
My favorite part of the engines is when you put them on a lokprogrammer and try to change some of the sound files, all of a sudden along with deleteing all the factory programmed files off the engine, the class lights don't work anymore. Also, if you try to make them have the same functions so they throttle and dynamic brake and add some of the other full throttle features in an advanced consist, it also deletes all the sound files. I haven't attempted to do the same with the NS units with ditchlights. I'm certainly apprehensive about changing stuff on them though. An email to scale trains yielded an unimpressive response...
That sucks! I haven't got that far with it yet, Dang, I don't like that.
Cape Rails Productions cool admiral cab but I miss the high hood😯
You're absolutely right don't feed into the negative
Strange the vents on the battery boxes and the location of the brake wheel. Are these rebuilds ????. Confused since they are not -3's.Thanks for confusing me and for the nice video!
Anything built with human hands will not be 100% perfect,..but I see your point,though! Anyway,...I expect my SD40-2 NS loco to arrive this coming spring,..hopefully the flaws you mention will be ironed out on mine!
Thank you for the review. I have a Rivet Counter SD40-2 in BN paint waiting for me at home. Mine won't have ditch lights but it should have sand lines and railings. Keeping my fingers crossed because I got the very last one in my road number. Can't wait to try it out. It will be my first sound unit. Seems like a great locomotive and decoder for the price. I never put much stock into keepalives but I can see how they would be real helpful and I get that it's not a license to not clean my track. I have 70 some locos that I'm going to start thinning out and I will use the proceeds to fund more quality sound units. Quality over quantity for me at this point. I over spent on trains years ago and now with a smaller layout I can't justify having them all, even for use on out club layout.
That's a nice plan you have, I can understand that. I also like the idea of a built in keep alive.
~Deryk
Appreciate your review approach, seems fair, balanced, and informative. Don't think would keep me from purchasing but they should try to address.
Thank you Pat. I give a fair review of the products that I purchase. Some people don't like hearing the truth about a product, but I don't care. I tell it how it is. The good, and the bad.
~Deryk
DG Modelworks would like to see more layout updates, miss the layout progress vids
I know man, I'm so far behind on that. I've been MIA lately because my work has been so busy. The only reason I had time to make this video is because it's a Holiday weekend.
A nice review but I disagree with the negativity. They traveled quite some distance on a boat and minor problems may exist. It does help with the weathering.
I've already sent both of them back for replacements. Everything is good.
Again, you fail to see my point. I bet retailers just love people like you. Buy something brand new, has flaws, but you are still happy about. But that's your choice. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate it.
I applaud you for the great job you do with your reviews Deryk; however, it would be nice if you add in the results of your final solution. These locomotives definitely had flaws; the light leak, the sand lines, and especially the ditch lights. The ditch lights would very much be a problem for a beginner to fix let alone someone with a higher skill level. As you referred to damage on a new automobile and you noticed flaws the car would NOT be accepted. Question is, were the locomotives returned to Scale Trains for an exchange? Did Scale Trains offer an apology for the lack of QA?
I am brand new to model railroading at age 67. Just retired and have time and need something to fill it. Loved my American Flyer, "S" gauge when age five through twelve of which I do not have not even one little piece of it. My dads layout was 36' by 24' with nine locos; great story.
In addition, I am new to this whole thing with these TH-cam videos, which I am enjoying, getting great ideas but I have a hard time with the dates of the actual production. I subscribed in hopes of being notified of a NEW video only to find out that the new notices are of videos dating back five years or more, no sequence. Is this a norm?
Thank you for what you do and offer in Railroad Modeling, keep up the good work.
Semper Fi,
Glenn
I work for NS at JLS. I've seen when scale trains came there and were getting measurements and schematics. Ive done a 12 month PM on the actual 3216. I didnt didn't know you lived in Altoona. I live in Tyrone
Oh that's awesome man! I actually live in Hollidaysburg, but close enough, hahaha
DG Modelworks you on facebook?
In "O"-scale models are a lot more robust as in 2-rail. although newer generation Ho has come along way, most model companies fail in providing durability. accuracy is important. thin plastic details are prone to failure. I admire Walthers for stepping up and becoming a hard act to follow. The Proto line is a great example of this. All products should not be falling apart new out of the box. the sand pipes are poor examples of model engineering with scale trains SD 40-2. build things right to match the rest of the good details this model has would be more than welcome.
GOOD VIDEO AS POINT OUT THINGS THERE DO MODEL AS WAS NOT BACK HOW MADE US DETAIL THAT GET WHEN ARE BUY THE LOCO FROM THERE.
SO JOY BUILD OF LAYOUT AND HAVE FUN .
Great reveiw. Hope they'll make these in N scale one day.
Thank you!
Good review !! Fair balanced and accurate. I do agree with you about it should be right when it's brand new. For the price you shouldn't have to fix several issues.
Thank you Paul, I'm not in any manufacturer's pocket, so my reviews are based on exactly what I paid for.
~Deryk
I'm with you, for the money these companies are asking for their products, they better be damn near perfect. My money isn't flawed so why should their product be. And why should we as the consumer accept it ?
Mine arrived dead it would short the rails. They wanted me to pay shipping to send back for warranty but I complained and they did send me a shipping label. My second one I ordered had a bad truck cover gears showing,, bent railing all couplers are all low and instructions has errors.
i seen the review of the BN sd40-2's and i was shocked by the hand rails the way they were. i noticed yours had pealing paint as well on the front . in my opinion they should keep how big they are and mount them to the trucks like how proto did their SD60's but have them made out of metal so if they are a problem it could be fixed by a little tweaking. not all railroad layouts can run them bent at the same way...just a given there
Excellent review. But ... please tell us that front siding is JUST for the videos! It's a LONG way to the floor.
Thanks! It's a program track. I do have some areas that are close to the edge. That's why the fascia is up higher.
Modeler or not, I agree with you that you shouldn't have to fix it yourself. It shouldn't be in that condition to begin with, weather it's a minor issue or not. Some people care about minor issues and some people don't.
Thank for the review. It reminds me of Athearn Genesis Locomotive. Thanks again
Great review man! That horn is amazing for sure now if someone besides Kato could come out with a BN SD40-2 with ditch lights I'd be set lol
Thanks buddy! yeah, I wish more manufacturers produced products with modern ditch lights.
I feel ya !! $2-300.00 loco you'd think the owner of Scale Trains (never heard of this brand til today !) would not allow his product to leave the factory this way !! God, you build a model loco so very close to visually perfect, why take a chance on getting a bad rep after all the painstaking designing that went into it !!
Was thinking 2 things: 1) Maybe the company can/will eventually correct the sand pipe shape and send them gratis to anyone with locos registered with them (under warrantee).. (2) Possibly cut em completely off and replace them with metal ones made by one of the superdetailing makers (I'm forgetting, but an old brand would be Kemtron or Central Valley)... It is bizarre, though...
If the couplers are cold to the touch they're likely metal. If not, then likely Delrin..I'm still a steam guy but do like some diesel; Alco RS1,2,3, F units, RDC, S4 .... Mark
you should send yours back, mine does not have any problems with the ditch lights, just sanding lines.i cut them back about a 1/8''.
Actually I just sent them back yesterday.
Derek How did you fix the sanding line. I have two conrail units with the same problem. Other then that love the models from scale trains. Great review, Thanks Joe
Hey Joe, I returned both of them to Scaletrains for repair/replacement. They fixed them.
The decoder is a loksound decoder. Nathan P5 for horn
Yes, I believe I mentioned it's a Loksound decoder.
I’ve bought 9 of scaletrains paint rubs off !
You are 100 percent CORRECT!!!!
quiet nice Type of a Sd40-2 ! ESU Sounds the best
Yes, I agree!
Even though it was a while ago, I'm still annoyed they didn't get the bell right, none of them have brass bells, and yet they put a brass bell on it.
A very nice model, Thanks for the review. But Scaletrains is almost impossible to get in Germany (or at a very steep price…).
I have my own opinion on the correct pronunciation of “LokSound”, however :)
Nice review on the SD40-2 Scaletrains did a great job
Thanks for sharing
Cheers Ron
Thank you Ron!
~Deryk
yeah I heard that Scale Trains is refusing to sell to small hobby shops because they feel the sales of their product is not there. How do you feel about that?
Steven Bruni I'm not sure that's the whole story. I know for a fact one of the policies is that you must be brick and mortar or they won't sell to you. Also, I believe that they now have a minimum order quantity, if that is true the goal is to get hobby shops to carry most of a full line of their products vs just a couple items.
A good reply from MidwestModelRR - (A small hobby shop). Also, if Scaletrains is going to sell directly to the customer for the same price, I don't see much incentive for a hobby shop to even carry their products. Except for folks who don't shop online.
Deryk, that was a very good, fair review. I am a little disappointed as well. They set the lofty goals themselves - they need to follow through!
There's no way I'll be able to afford one of those.... I *may* be able to get the Operator version, someday.
Addressing the naysayers (and I'd guess at least HALF of them are "Basement Warriors"!)....
YES! I know you could fix it. I can certainly fix it. A lot of our friends could fix it. That's not really the point though, is it?
What you said about a mechanic buying a new car. I was that Mechanic once. I bought an 89 Mustang GT, brand new....
One of the speakers popped at higher volumes. Could I have fixed it - Blindfolded!!
However, I just gave that Ford Dealer a ton of money, AND opted for premium sound. 200 miles ago. I took that MF right back to the Dealer and said FIX IT!
I'd bet the rest of the people giving you crap, were old farts, maybe even older than me! Some of us just got used to bringing home a new Athearn BB, or even an Atlas or Kato, and start working on it by the second day!
No! If I'm ever able to spend $300+ on a single Locomotive, every stupid detail better be right!! Then if I want to take it apart and detail it, or improve it in any way - it will be by CHOICE!
Thanks for telling it like it is.
Carmine 🚂
As a model railroader getting back in after an 18 year hiatus, how would you rank the manufacturers in terms of quality control, detail, etc? I know of Athearn, Atlas, and Kato, but most of the others I have never heard of (Scaletrains included) until pretty recently.
Scale Trains needs a quality control dept. You are not the first one with these types of problems. I am with you, I don't want to spend $200-$300 on a locomotive and have to repair it myself. Sell it to me for $50 then we can talk.
That's so true...New is new not needs repair!! Really nice trains though!!!
Those locomotives are too amazing!!
Am in agreement as is most........ everyone. There's a lot of competition for our hard earned dollars, hope Scale Trains worked with you, yes, lemons do happen, and agood MFG will ALWAYS rectify it. On a BL steam loco I had to pay the shipping for a fix....:)
I actually sent both of these back for Repair/Replacement. The replacements are fantastic! I will do a follow up video on them. Scaletrains took care of me.
Thank you for your honest review.
mine is not that bad, just the sanding lines,great review
Ok I have a question . I just bought the same engine from there website and the photos of the engine is getting doesn’t have Dutch lights. And this one does? Someone explain please
The sand lines I could deal with but the ditch lights and the hacked up way they look I couldn't deal with and I'd return it. They look bad and trying to fix them shouldn't fall on you to do.
Yeah, I ended up returning both of them. We'll see what comes back.
Great vid Deryk... I for one can NOT stand a fanboy. Facts are facts. If it's messed up then say so. If it's like it should be, then say that. Some guys in this hobby are as bad as guys into electronics, computers, etc...They are so beholden to a manufacture that they can not stand to hear anything negative about "their" manufacture of choice. Ridiculous I say.
I very much like my Intermountain SD40-2's but they are not perfect-light on power as you stated. All that said, who do you think has the better SD40-2 out right now between Scaletrains, Intermountain and BLI?
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I'm certainly not a fanboy, and I'm not in anyone's pockets. So I can tell you with 100% certainty my reviews are honest and factual. I cannot really answer your question about who has the best right now. I've never owned a BLI SD40-2, so I can't say. I'm not much of a fan of Paragon sound.
~Deryk
DG Modelworks I hear ya on the Paragon sound Deryk. It's "ok" but far from great. IMO Loksound is the current walking dog. Again, thanks for your vids and reviews. Keep em coming.
Thank you for this review, it's unfortunate that they come from the factory like this, if it was bought used it could be different, I agree I don't want to fix it right out of the box, overall they look good, it just sucks that they've had stuff wrong with every engine they've produced, but they are a new company, I'm glad I could afford to get the first run of these, hopefully second run they'll fix these issues
Thanks Mike, hopefully they get the kinks worked out. I'm confident they will.
~Deryk
DG Modelworks I'm hopping they will but I've been hearing that they keep making similar mistakes on all their engines, it's small stuff, but still dissapointing stuff, I've seen a lot of their stuff having wrong coupler heights and just small defects that won't say effect the models quaility but bother some perfectionist modelers, hopefully some of these criticisms will be taken into account for the et44ac/c4's
Yikes, that's not good to hear.
DG Modelworks yeah it's not, I really want to like their products but if these issues keep coming up they'll be placed in the catigory of the MTH's and BLI's, good overall, very irritating little things that turn some people off to their products
With what they charge for these Locomotives ... they should be pristine!
Yeah, It's frustrating to pay that much, and then have to fix things.
there nice. im waiting for the sd40-3 to come out
I know you are! hahaha
For the price tag on these there should be no flaws.
Makes a great change to see a review on YT that shows the not so good points.
I get pissed off with reviews that are biased and everything is great.
Thanks!!