Athearn 71752 RG SD40t-2 DC #5402, HO scale

HO SD40T-2 Locomotive, D&RGW #5402 During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the Southern Pacific was looking for ways to solve the problem of their diesels overheating in their many tunnels and snow sheds. They determined that problem was caused by the locomotive’s taking in their own hot exhaust gases while in the confines of the tunnels. The solution came from EMD’s development team which relocated the radiator cooling intakes to the lower portion of the rear of the car body, creating what railfans dubbed the “Tunnel Motor.” This modification allowed the locomotives to take in cooler air that was nearer to the tunnel floor and thus reducing overheating. The Rio Grande was experiencing the same issues and decided to get some Tunnel Motors of their own, ordering some 73 SD40T-2’s in total in 5 separate orders. The last order, #5398-5413 were built in 1980. Features included a 4000 gal fuel tank, nose gyralights, and extended range dynamic brakes with exhaust silencer. The company wanted to order more of them but EMD convinced them to get their new SD50’s instead. DRGW FEATURES: 88” nose with class lights (non-operational) and gyralight (Effect in DCC) Standard cab Small EMD front plow Extended range dynamic brakes 4,000 gallon fuel tank Cab-mounted Leslie 3-chime horn Front small anticlimber Exhaust silencer SD40T-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES: 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”