Athearn HO 73053 SD40T-2, Southern Pacific #8256

Speed Lettering

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 "SPEED LETTERING" FEATURES:
88" nose with brake wheel
Cab mounted A/C
Relocated P3 horn
Front ditch lights
Removed front and rear SP light package
Modified front L window
Extended range dynamic brakes

In an attempt to revise their image, SP began to use a new "Speed Lettering" scheme adapted in 1991. Also, during this time, they started to remove parts of their well-known light packages. If a light component failed, it would have to be fixed, thus taking the locomotive out of service. To reduce maintenance costs, SP started to actively remove these extra lights leaving empty brackets and plates where they were once installed. Other changes included the addition of front ditch lights and the horn being relocated to the rear hood.

SD40T-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Fine scale handrails
Photo-etched windshield wipers
Separately applied air tanks
LED Lighting
HTC truck sideframes
Welded ECAFB
All-wheel electrical pickup
See-through dynamic brake fans
Separately applied wire grab irons
Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends
Standard Dash-2 cab, windows correct 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
DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plug technology
Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Fully assembled and ready-to-run
Highly-detailed, injection molded body
Painted and printed for realistic decoration
Recommended radius: 22"