HO RTR SD40-2 with DCC & T2 Sound, NS #3280

HO RTR SD40-2 with DCC & T2 Sound, NS #3280 Overview

After the 1982 SOU-NW merger into Norfolk Southern, the SD40-2 remained a principle mainline locomotive for the road. Early repaints did not feature white delineators on the frames, and many units lasted this way through the 2000s. They could be found on all types of NS freight movements, and they also had a penchant for showing up on Southern Pacific trains in the late 80s and early 90s.

“SOU” on cab. Two “Firecracker” antennas

“AGS” on cab. Three “Firecracker” antennas

“SOU” on cab. Six “Firecracker” antennas (for Locotrol equipment)

The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD's Dash 2 series, responding to competing products from GE and ALCO. Reliability and versatility of the 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 made it the best-selling model in EMD's history and the standard of the industry for several decades after its introduction. The SD40-2 was an improvement over the SD40, with modular electronic control systems like those of the experimental SD45X and DDA40X. The last SD40-2 delivered to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing for railroads in Canada until 1988.