I own 15 of Intermountain Tunnel Motor, as SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 are my all time favorites. I must admit the Intermountain shell is pretty nice, however I am disappointed with - the greasy mechanism : far too much lub on the trucks / chassis - the fragile plastic handrails - the too thick front and rear handrails (whearas the side handrails are looking good) - the Atlas mechanism (not running as good as a Kato) - the too high wheel flanges - the too high mounted shell over the chassis giving the impression there is a lot of air between the trucks and the chassis, especially from a ground perspective. For all those reasons, I would prefer KATO Tunnel Motors from far. As I am afraid we should'nt count on KATO to make those, I was thinking of another alternative. The concept is as follow : - plastic locomotive with brass details, as TOWER 55 does now in HO - mechanism as good as a KATO - limited series - MRSP : to be defined (target price around 160-200$) - Sound in option In another word, I am thinking of a plastic locomotive with superior details running like a Kato at a price around 160-200$. QUESTIONS : 1. Would you buy such a new version of a superior detailed Tunnel Motor ? 2. How many Tunnel Motor units would you like to own? SD40T-2 SD45T-2 3. In which paint scheme ? 4. What is the maximum price who are ready to pay for such a locomotive as explained in the above concept ? Thank you for your feedback. Please answer points 1 to 4 first. Any comments welcome, but for ease of use, after your answers 1 to 4.
Jean-Edouard- Contact me off-list if you have the money to finance such a project... because it is HIGHLY unlikely that Kato, Atlas, Life-Like or anybody else will tackle such a model because of the minor detail problems that you have mentioned. All of the problems can be fixed with aftermarket parts. New tooling will go to a few locos that can be significantly improved upon or prototypes that have not been done yet. The IM units, while initial production was not perfect, have been constantly improved and are likely to be continually upgraded with each production run..... not a particularly attractive target for the competition. Charlie Vlk Railroad Model Resources
I would absolutely buy tunnel motors made by Kato. But I'm not sure I would be willing to spend upwards of $160 per unit. At current Kato prices, no question, but the current IM TM's aren't THAT bad IMHO. I have a bunch of them now.
If they came in CP Multi Mark or GN EB or maybe undecorated - then I could see getting 2 of them _if_ I had the cash which includes the cash to have Hemi build and paint it for me.
Just had a discussion with a friend of mine about Kato rereleasing the GP50's. That and the GP38-2 are the last major holes in my roster. Regarding the "tunnel motors on steroids", I think that maybe it would be a good idea for a fringe loco (which I think the TM's kinda are) but only if a production plastic one is unavailable. As it is, you would be in "no man's land" between brass and plastic and I think financial troubles would result. I think that maybe IM was shooting for something like this, with their higher MSRP but they didn't quite hit the mark, and they cheaped out on the mech. Really, the tunnel motors issues could be mostly fixed, except for the mech. So I guess the answer there is a world-class repower article, which would also benefit the Atlas 6-axles. (Ron B., where are you!?!) With a decent installed base of SD50's, SD60's, SD60M's, and the various Tunnel Motor configurations, it might even warrant an aftermarket conversion mech, who knows? Has this ever been done in N?
I would much rather get a new run. Both the Kato GP38-2 and Kato GP50 are outdated by today's standards. I also need 2 GP50s to complete my roster.
I also add to the plea for new GP50's.... Would it be possible to produce a new "frame" for the IM TM's/ Atlas SD50/60's so that you could use the guts and trucks from a Kato SD40-2 to re-power them? Kevin
I only have need of one tunnel motor, and it will be SPSF. For just one I don't mind doing a few minor tweeks myself. For people with large fleets I can understand that being difficult.
I sold my IM tunnel motors as they ran too fast for my radio throttle, I would however much prefer Kato released a new version of the GP50 as I would like a few for my MoPac roster
The IM SD40/45T-2 and the Atlas SD50/60/60M do NOT use the same mechanism. The have different frame halves.
To the GP50 fans - note that Mark 4 makes a GP50 long hood. http://www.mark4design.com/html/n_gp_hoods.html Kato has a long and miserable history of "parking" tooling ...
I don't own any IM TMs, but the Atlas SD60s that I own run smooth as silk. The only exception that I had was one that the truck sideframe assy wasn't latched properly, but that was an easy fix. Did IM botch the frame halves?
And they were added to my roster of 19 DRGW units so far,thanks again Paul.Sure they may have a few niggling probs,but is anything really perfect? I'm happy with their running,as they operate just nicely with the 1st run of DRGW SD50's,which is what they are normally paired with in the rl. The railings just need a touch of acc to keep them in place,apart from that,I luv them. Anyone got any DRGW SD40T-2's for sale?
I have not had any problems with my tunnel motors. But, I disassembled them and stripped the paint to repaint into my home road. That was an ordeal. They do not disassemble easily. Great details, but what a chore to repaint.
Well... TODAY at 7:15am EDST... as I was going to work... I saw my first real live SD40T-2! It was an old Southern Pacific unit paired with a couple of FEC GeePs. Why is that so special... you ask???? I live in Miami... no tunnels... no mountains (unless you count the "Mt.Trashmore" garbage dump). So getting back to this topic... NO!!! The IMRC units... for all their warts and past deficiencies... have been just fine and will be kept for better or for worse. They were not cheap nor were they the epitome of model railroad perfection... but... they are pretty good overall. Flooding the market with more tunnel motors will probably do more harm than good... specially if they are going to be twice as much to buy. Adding things like on-board sound to a hood unit can only decrease the performance. I have the PCM E7 units and the amount of weight removed for the speakers and electronics really made them very light. Imagine how much worse it would be in a hood unit...even a large SD type (like an SD90) would be noticably less powerful.
I would prefer a CF-7 or GP-50 to a new mfr. making tunnel motors. The thick end handrail issue you mention is the result of modelers demanding they be painted. If you have the version with fragile handrails is it possible you have the first release units? We recently received a replacement Cotton Belt body for a customer in Germany. Your authorized IMRC dealer can arrange to replace them or you can send the first release versions back yourself. As always contact the mfr. first so they know what you are questioning and include a detailed note in the package.
Joe, FEC has been leasing some TM's from LTEX for a few years now. I see them frequently in the Cocoa - City Point Rinker Cement plant area. Like you, I had to do a double take the 1st time I saw them. It gives you a good reason for running them on an FEC based layout and the "Basic Black" paint scheme makes it extra easy!
