Norfolk Southern SD40-2 Long Hood

[DrewG]

From RSC's Facebook: The long-hood version as the name suggest runs with the hood forward compared to the high nose which runs the other way. The most basic way of thinking about it is the long-hood is inverted. In terms of the product it is a completely new model and will feature new controls, functions and scenarios.

Sadly no update for virtually the same engine. RSC is making me do this lately.

[buzz456]

Just remember it is not a requirement to buy anything only an offer to sell. If you don't approve of what they are doing don't participate. It won't take long and they will get the message. There is a huge bunch of NS locomotives out there already. I don't feel a crying need for another unless it offers something very unusual.

[Chacal]

If you don't already have the high-nose, then you have a choice of two models. Choice is good.

[Rich_S]

It's interesting that Dovetail games / RSC is creating the ex-Southern High Hood GP38-2 and SD40-2's. I'm glad they finally are getting them correct this time, as none of these units are setup to run short hood forward and there are only two ex-N&W units left on the roster with dual control stands. The reason I say this is interesting is because these units do not lead on any trains. Number one reason is because they are not equipped with cab signals. Number 2 reason, they are not even on the list for PTC. Most of the coal trains running on the mon line use SD70Ace's, ES44AC's, ES40DC's, SD70M-2 and Dash 9's. The ES40DC's are used on unit trains with ECP braking, the first 25 SD70Ace's are equipped with Distributed power as are a number of ES44AC's. A lot of the remaining high hood GP38-2's have been equipped with Remote Control and are used for yard switching. The Mon line tends to see a lot of the Heritage units, so hopefully RSC will include at least one scenario featuring Heritage units hauling coal on the Mon line? I'm not trying to put RSC down for creating these units, but I think they would have been better served to create a few standard cab SD60's, SD60M's and SD60I's. Just my and your mileage may vary

[JohnTrainHead]

The Mon line tends to see a lot of the Heritage units, so hopefully RSC will include at least one scenario featuring Heritage units hauling coal on the Mon line?

Leave that to Gary and the rest of the gang over at Steam Workshop.

[OpenRailer90]

I wonder how this is different from the existing High Hood DLC.

[BNSFdude]

I wonder how this is different from the existing High Hood DLC.

it really isn't. Not worth the money, IMO unless you don't have the old one.

[OpenRailer90]

I think it is slightly updated from the past one. The old one doesn't even have scenarios for the Horseshoe Curve route.

[BNSFdude]

The new one doesn't have scenarios for HSC either. Are you seriously willing to shell out 20 dollars for a slightly touched up model that was flipped? I sure as heck wouldn't.

[Rich_S]

The new one doesn't have scenarios for HSC either. Are you seriously willing to shell out 20 dollars for a slightly touched up model that was flipped? I sure as heck wouldn't.

Depends on what you are looking for? The old High Hood SD40-2 is incorrect because the control stand is on the wrong side of the locomotive. All of the ex-Southern SD40-2's (3200 & and some 3300 series) were setup to be operated long hood forward, ie control stand is on the opposite side of the locomotive as found on a locomotive setup to operate short hood forward. Some of the ex-N&W 1600 series SD40-2 were setup with dual control stands, made for a very cramped cab

[tbundy1982]

Here in the Midwest, the SD40-2's are being used as yard switchers & GP38-2's are being used on mainline locals. I haven't seen an SD40 leading on the main for awhile but the GP38's do every day, usually in matched ex-SOU pairs.
I'm eager to see if DTG includes any freight car "goodies" to go with this new locomotive pack. That increases the value of such DLC, especially when I already own the old one. I suppose it would be like looking at the Railworks UP Sd40-2 vs the current TS2014 UP SD40-2. Many folks would not have purchased the updated shape if it had not been offered as a free upgrade. I would imagine the differences in the new NS models will be compareable. The new ones are plainly better all around, IMHO, but one could certainly get plenty of enjoyment out of the old one.
BTW- NS has begun to chop the noses on these units. I saw one a few days ago that had the bell mounted high on the long hood & had all the extra walkway lights but had a short hood. I'm not sure if the control stand was moved.

[JohnTrainHead]

I think it is slightly updated from the past one. The old one doesn't even have scenarios for the Horseshoe Curve route.

That's because HSC wasn't even released when the original NS High Hood SD40-2 came out.

[OpenRailer90]

According to a site with Achievements, there appears to be scenarios for the Coal District in the new DLC. Possibly this one is modeled on the ex-Southern units, while the old is on ex-N&W units.

Hopefully the old one will be pulled from the store

[buzz456]

According to a site with Achievements, there appears to be scenarios for the Coal District in the new DLC. Possibly this one is modeled on the ex-Southern units, while the old is on ex-N&W units.

Hopefully the old one will be pulled from the store

I do believe that the original runs short hood forward so perhaps it should stay around for those that prefer that.

[Rich_S]

BTW- NS has begun to chop the noses on these units. I saw one a few days ago that had the bell mounted high on the long hood & had all the extra walkway lights but had a short hood. I'm not sure if the control stand was moved.

On all of the ones I've seen with the low short hood and new cab (The newer conversion are getting the Admiral cab in preparation for PTC equipment) The control stands are being moved to the opposite side of the cab. Don't be confused by the ex-N&W 6000 & 6100 series, as these units were delivered from EMD with a low short hood, but were still setup to run long hood forward. Some have had the control stands moved and the low hood is now designated as the front. There are also a few of the 6100 series SD40-2's that have been mated with two 6 axle slugs and are being used in hump service. One of the easiest ways to determine which side the control stand is on is look for the "F". If the "F" is on the short hood end, the control stand is on the right side of the cab while looking toward the short hood end. If the "F" is on the long hood end, the control stand is on the right side of the cab while looking at the long hood end.