EMD's extremely popular SD40-2 model was ordered by basically every railroad in the US between 1972 and 1986, and even some units ended up elsewhere in the world too. A huge number of operational SD40-2s are still around; all are over 50 years old! US railroads have been rebuilding their SD40-2 locomotives over the last few years. It would be nice to get some more modernized versions of the SD40-2. We do have the UP SD40Ns with the Sherman Hill and Cane Creek routes and BNSF and ATSF SD40-2Us with the Cajon Pass route, but they are just modernized SD40-2s with new electrical and control systems. They look pretty much the same as the unrebuilt units with a few detail modifications. There are plenty of rebuilt SD40-2 designs out there from other railroads too. CSX, NS, and CPKC all have some really unique designs for their rebuilt SD40-2s. I'll discuss them in detail. -SD40-2 Rebuild #1: CSX SD40-3: -Rebuilt at CSX's Huntington, WV shops -New "Spongebob Cab" design with different nose and cab front for crash protection -Upgraded with PTC and electrical system upgrades -300 units rebuilt -SD40-2 Rebuild #2: CSX SD40E3: -SD40-3-style cab and nose -SD45-style flared radiators -Eco-friendly rebuilds -3000HP EMD 12-710G Prime Mover -13 units; #1700-1712 -SD40-2 Rebuild #3: CSX ET23DCM, aka: SD23T4: -SD40-2s rebuilt by Wabtec -Powered by new Tier 4-compliant Wabtec 6-cylinder 4-stroke prime movers -2350HP -15 units; #1713-1727 -SD40-2 Rebuild #4: NS "Admiral Cab" SD40-2: -Upgraded electrical and control systems -New cabs; called "Admiral Cabs" because the cab has the front windows angled upward like a Navy ship; also the design was created by a former US Navy Admiral working with NS -Cab and nose have better crash protection -Admiral Cabs have been added to other NS locomotives -SD40-2 Rebuild #5: NS SD33ECO: -NS's version of CSX's SD40E3s -Equipped with Admiral Cabs, flared radiators, and cool green, black, and white liveries to signify that these are eco-friendly rebuilds -3000HP w/ 12-710G Prime Movers -15 units; #6210-6224 -SD40-2 Rebuild #6: CPKC SD30C-ECO: -CPKC's version of the NS SD33ECO and CSX SD40E3 -Same features and engines as other ECO SD40-2 rebuilds -50 units; #5000-5049 With so many real SD40-2s and their rebuilds still a common sight on local freight trains and in freight yards, we should get some of these upgraded SD40-2s in game. We even have routes for all of these locos (on CSX Sand Patch Grade, the new Miami, Florida route coming soon, and NS Horseshoe Curve) except for the CPKC SD30C-ECOs. We would need a CPKC route (which should totally happen). Let's get some cool-looking and eco-friendly new locomotives in game, along with some new, modern freight equipment to pull with them.
