Feature Model - Early SD40-2

Kato's recently released HO SD40-2 model represents the first few of this model built. Only locomotives built in 1972 match Kato's model, the vast majority of BNSF's 935 SD40-2's are too new to be accurately modeled using the Kato. Only 31 BNSF SD40-2's, all built in 1972, match Kato's prototype.
The most notable feature of the 1972 built SD40-2 is the lack of an anticlimber. All units built from 1973 on for BN and SF have anticlimers, which extend from the frame and provide protection from objects the locomotive may collide with, from snow to autos on grade crossings. This small but substantial addition to the pilot must be rather effective, as it has been standard on new EMD locomotives since the mid 70's.

Another feature of early SD40-2's is the waffle style radiator grilles. Units built in 1973 and 1974 also have the early grilles, and units built from 1976 on have the modern vertical grilles.

Other minor detail differences may require minor modification to the Kato. One is the relocation of the horn to the long hood between the dynamic brake fans and the radiator fans, another is the relocation of the headlight to the nose.
Even though there are only 31 numbers to choose from to use Kato's model without major modification, there are several paint variations to chose from. The following thumbnails show four different paint schemes! While the relettered units are all unique in their own way, the best unit to model would be 6915 as the headlight is still mounted above the cab, and the only variation from the Kato model is the location of the horn. Kato would be wise to make this unit available in factory paint. Perhaps it will be in a future run.
BN original
Cascade green
[BNSF 6394]
 BN Whiteface

[BNSF 6397]
 BN Whiteface with
separator stripe
[BNSF 6389]
 BNSF Heritage I

[BNSF 6330]
 BNSF Heritage I

[BNSF 6915]

The 31 BNSF SD40-2's are shown in the following roster summary: 
 Road Numbers                                           Builder     Date     Date      Date      Notes
 BNSF #   1st #       2nd #       3rd #       4th #     Number      Built    Rebuilt   Retired

 (6329)   BN 6328                                       5803-4      Feb 72
 6330     BN 6329                                       5803-5      Feb 72
 (6331)   BN 6331                                       5803-7      Feb 72
 (6332)   BN 6332                                       5803-8      Feb 72
 (6333)   BN 6333                                       5803-9      Feb 72
 (6334)   BN 6334                                       5803-10     Feb 72
 (6363)   C&S 915     C&S 6363    BN 6363:2             5812-16     May 72
 (6364)   C&S 916     C&S 6364    BN 6364:2             5812-17     May 72
 (6365)   C&S 917     C&S 6365    BN 6365:2             5812-18     May 72
 6374     C&S 900     C&S 6348    BN 6348:2             5812-1      Mar 72
 6375     C&S 901     C&S 6349    BN 6349:2             5812-2      Mar 72
 6376     C&S 902     C&S 6350    BN 6350:2             5812-3      Mar 72
 (6377)   C&S 903     C&S 6351    BN 6351:2             5812-4      Mar 72
 (6386)   C&S 904     C&S 6352    BN 6352:2             5812-5      Mar 72
 (6387)   C&S 905     C&S 6353    BN 6353:2             5812-6      Mar 72
 (6388)   C&S 906     C&S 6354    BN 6354:2             5812-7      Mar 72
 6389     C&S 907     C&S 6355    BN 6355:2             5812-8      Mar 72
 (6390)   C&S 908     C&S 6356    BN 6356:2             5812-9      Mar 72
 (6391)   C&S 909     C&S 6357    BN 6357:2             5812-10     Mar 72
 (6392)   C&S 910     C&S 6358    BN 6358:2             5812-11     Mar 72
 (6393)   C&S 911     C&S 6359    BN 6359:2             5812-12     Mar 72
 6394     C&S 912     C&S 6360    BN 6360:2             5812-13     May 72
 (6395)   C&S 913     C&S 6361    BN 6361:2             5812-14     May 72
 6396     C&S 914     C&S 6362    BN 6362:2             5812-15     May 72
 6397     BN 6325     BN 1976:2   BN 1876:2   BN 6325   5803-1      Feb 72
 (6398)   BN 6326                                       5803-2      Feb 72
 (6399)   BN 6327                                       5803-3      Feb 72
 (6912)   BN 6335:1   BN 6912                           5803-11     Feb 72
 (6913)   BN 6336:1   BN 6913                           5803-12     Feb 72
 6915     BN 6338:1   BN 6915                           5803-14     Feb 72
 (6916)   BN 6339:1   BN 6916                           5803-15     Feb 72
Last updated: 5/3/2003
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