Southern Pacific #9189 1990's Version SD40T-2 DCC Ready

NEW FEATURES FOR ALL SD45T-2S IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT:

• First time offering DCC+Sound Version, including new T-2 rear truck design for more visibly see through grilles
• All-new LED lighting
• First time pilot detail including rubber MU hoses for durability
• Photo-etched stainless steel windshield wipers

SP FEATURES:

• 1990s era version with SP light removed and faded paint
• Nathan P3 air horn
• Sinclair antenna
• Large EMD style plows both front and rear
• Small anticlimber
• Coupler cut levers with loops
• Cab mounted bell
• Illuminated Strato-lite beacon w/ LED

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Fully assembled and ready-to-run
• Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends, first time offered
• Mushroom nose vent on right side
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Standard late Dash-2 4-window/L-window cab without louvers or roof seam per prototype
• See through cab windows
• Fixed cab side windows
• Welded ECAFB
• See-through dynamic brake fans
• See through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox speific for the tunnel motor
• Fine scale handrails
• Photoetch windshield wipers, first time offered
• Separately applied air tanks
• Speed recorder attached to appropriate axle per prototype (except undecorated)
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
• Highly-detailed, injection molded body
• Painted and printed for realistic decoration
• LED Lighting, first time offered
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
• Compatible with Genesis motor retrofit kit
• Window packaging for easy viewing
• Interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
• DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plugª technology
• Available also with factory installed Econami Sound by Soundtraxx, first time offered
• Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• Replacement parts available including motor brushes
• Minimum radius: 18
• Recommended radius: 22

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO

According to Espee's internal memos, the Bicentennial locomotives were affectionately referred to as Snowflakes. These unique and colorful Espee locos appeared quite often separately on company public relation exercises, with #9389 being a part of most helper consists for the Freedom Train, and GP40P-2 #3197 was seen everyday as part of the Peninsular commute fleet. The SP ”snowflake' paint schemes were all designed by the late Mr. Chester Mack, famed RR designer. The first unit painted was Cotton Belt (SSW) #9389. This was chosen as being the 600th SD45 to be built for SP, ie. 590 SD45 including SD45T-2's and 10 SDP45's. Evidently it was given basic Bicentennial paint by EMD, then completed by SP when delivered to Taylor Shops in Los Angeles in May of 1975. About the same time, that a Southern Pacific loco should also wear Bicentennial paint, so as the GP40P-2's were about to be shopped, having done a 6 month break-in service on freight, #3197 was selected to be painted Bicentennial. June 1975 saw #3197 roll out in the patriotic paint. To go along with the theme, SP repainted Caboose 1776 in Bicentennial paint. This was originally a C-40-7 built by International Car Co. in 1967 with roofwalks and end ladders. As painted in Bicentennial scheme in 1975. Look for the C-40-7 Bay Window Caboose next month!

SPECS:

DCC Ready/21-Pin NEM SOUND Ready PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER EMD Axles 6 LIGHTED LED Lighting Minimum Age Recommendation 14 years Is Assembly Required No