HO SD40-2 Locomotive - Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico (N de M)

Stock# 49359

The EMD SD40-2 is a 3,000-horsepower C-C Road Switcher built by Electro-Motive Division of General Motors and General Motors Diesel Division from 1972 to 1989.

The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD's Dash-2 series, competing against the General Electric U30C and the ALCO C630. The reliability, versatility, and flexibility of the 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 made it one of the best-selling models in EMD's history {edged only by the GP9} and the standard of the industry for several decades after its introduction. The SD40-2 featured modular electronic control systems, a vast improvement over the previous model SD40 as maintenance troubleshooting and problem solving were much quicker, leading to reductions in downtime and maintenance costs.

Peak production of the SD40-2 was in the mid-1970s. Sales of the SD40-2 began to diminish after 1981 due to a downturn in the economy caused by the oil crisis, increased competition from General Electric's C30-7 series, and the introduction of the EMD SD50, which was available concurrently to late SD40-2 production. While the last SD40-2 delivered to a U.S. railroad was built in July 1984, production continued with units being delivered to Mexico until February 1986 and Canada until 1988.

As Class 1 railroads began to retire SD40-2's, they made their way to a multitude of regional and shortline railroads.  Current paint schemes worn by this popular model number is the many dozens.

Retirements have reduced the number of SD40-2's in service as many units reached four decades in service yet many railroads have continued overhauling, rebuilding, and upgrading the SD40-2 for another quarter century of service.  They continue to be found in yard service, on mainline locals, and on secondary mainlines all across North America.  

NOTE: The horns and sunshades are not on the models as they are packaged in a small parts bag and have to be installed by the modeler.