Tag Archives: Premium Instructions

ANNOUNCING the EMD SD40-2 Premium Instructions

Model Design by Chris Stone

It’s been a long time coming, but the day is finally here. Today we are releasing our Premium Instructions for the EMD SD40-2 Diesel Locomotive. Available now in the Brick Model Railroader Store. And we have a few special surprises in store for you too. But first, let’s take a look at the model.

EMD SD40-2 Premium Instructions

Norfolk Southern model in the “Horse Head” paint scheme with optional parts shown.

The EMD SD40-2 is a 3,000-horsepower (2,200 kW) C-C road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD from 1972 to 1989.

The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD’s Dash 2 series, competing against the GE U30C and the ALCO Century 630. Although higher-horsepower locomotives were available, including EMD’s own SD45-2, the reliability and versatility of the 3,000-horsepower (2,200 kW) 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 was an improvement over the SD40, with modular electronic control systems similar to those of the experimental DDA40X.

Burlington Northern model in the “White Face” paint scheme, without the stripe.

Peak production of the SD40-2 was in the mid-1970s. Sales of the SD40-2 began to diminish after 1981 due to the oil crisis, increased competition from GE’s Dash-7 series and the introduction of the EMD SD50, which was available concurrently to late SD40-2 production. The last SD40-2 delivered to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing for railroads in Canada until 1988, Mexico until February 1986, and Brazil until October 1989. As of 2013, nearly all built still remain in service.

CONRAIL SD40-2 wearing the “CONRAIL Quality” paint scheme.

Our model of this famous locomotive has been designed by BMR Team Member, Chris Stone. Chris has done a wonderful job capturing the iconic look of the SD40-2.

For this, our first Locomotive Premium Instructions, we are trying something new. For past freight and passenger car models we’ve covered multiple variations  in a single instruction book. But the SD40-2 is a larger model and more complex than previous Premium Instructions and covering all variations and paint schemes in a single book would be impractical. So we are breaking the SD40-2 up into a series based on the railroad paint schemes we plan to offer.

BNSF in the “Heritage 2” Paint Scheme.

The advantage of this is that we can offer a better build- ing experience with parts list specific to each paint scheme. Each instruction book will be tailored to a specific railroad with details explicit to that road high- lighted on each model. 

Our instructions include options to build each railroad’s SD40-2 locomotives in several paint schemes. Also included are instructions for various optional upgrades to the model including No. 6 Wheels, Custom Fan Shrouds, and Knuckle Couplers. More on those optional parts later.

SD40-2 Instruction Books

Our SD40-2 Premium Instructions Kits contain the following:

1 professionally printed 96-124 (page count depending on railroad) page instruction book with full color instructions, part list for each of the build variations, prototype information, and building tips. The books are spiral bound for easy use while building.

1 set of black roller bearing tiles (12 tiles per kit)

2 black Brickarms Monopods used for detailing

4 black Brickarms U-Clips used for detailing.

8 Upgraded Traction Bands

All you need to provide is the LEGO bricks from your own collection. You can purchase decals to build the locomotive in one of a number of authentic paint schemes. 

The first four railroads we are offering are:

Norfolk Southern

Conrail

BNSF

Burlington Northern

In the future we hope to release more railroads. If you have a particular road you would like to see, please let us know.

Store Link to our SD40-2 Instructions

Decals for the EMD SD40-2

We also have a range of decals available for each road name.

Decals sets available for the SD40-2.

Produced for BMR by OKBrickWorks with art work by Cale Leiphart, these decals feature authentically replicated graphics for each of the road names offered.  

Decals are printed on clear vinyl. They are durable, water resistant, and easy to apply. Each decal set will complete one locomotive, and comes with extra numbers so you can change the road number to your desire.

Store Link to our SD40-2 Decal Sets

Optional Parts for the EMD SD40-2

And now about those options. We have more than just decals to add to your SD40-2 model. We have a few other items that can really bring your model to the next level.

Custom No. 6 Wheels

The real SD40-2 locomotive uses wheels that are 40 inches in diameter. In our 1:48th Scale model this scales to within 1 inch of a No. 6 (MS) size wheel. The standard LEGO train wheel ( No. 5 or S ) scales to 33 inches.

Common LEGO wheel sizes.

Our model includes instructions for using either the standard LEGO wheel, or the upgraded No. 6 wheel. For those wanting a more prototypical appearance, the No. 6 wheels give the model a great look.

No. 6 Wheel Pack for the SD40-2.
No. 6 Wheels Installed on the SD40-2 Truck.

These are custom 3D Printed No. 6 (MS) Wheels designed by Cameron Miller and produced by OKBrickworks for Brick Model Railroader.

Includes: 8 3D Printed No. 6 Flange Wheels and 4 3D Printed No. 6 Blind Wheels 

Custom Fan Shrouds

If you are looking to add a special detail to the appearance of your SD40-2 model, we are offering this Custom Fan Shroud Pack.

Fan Shroud Kit

This fan shroud upgrade kit replaces the stock LEGO parts used to represent the dynamic brake and radiator fan shrouds on the top of the model. Also included are fan decals that go under the fan shrouds for that extra detailed look.

Custom Fan Shroud kit installed on the Norfolk Southern SD40-2.

These are a 3d Printed Product designed by Cameron Miller and produced by OKBrickworks for Brick Model Railroader.

Includes: 3 Black 26mm X 6.4mm 3D Printed Fan Shrouds and 2 Black 3D Printed 26mm X 4.8mm Fan Shrouds, and 6 Fan Decals (used under shrouds).

Wheel and Fan Shroud Combo Pack

Planning to buy both the No. 6 wheels and the custom fan shrouds? We are offering a combo pack just for you.

Wheel and Fan Shroud Combo Pack

Includes: 3 Black 26mm X 6.4mm 3D Printed Fan Shrouds and 2 Black 3D Printed 26mm X 4.8mm Fan Shrouds, and 6 Fan Decals (used under shrouds)

8 Black 3D Printed No. 6 Flange Wheels and 4 Black 3D Printed No. 6 Blind Wheels

Extra Bearing Cap Tiles

Each Premium Instruction kit comes with 12 printed 1×1 round tile Roller Bearing Caps for the trucks on the SD40-2. Printed by Brick Print Studios. These tiles recreate the look of roller bearings on the trucks the locomotive. For those wanting to build additional models, we have these bearing caps available separately in packs of 12.

Bearing Cap

Replacement O-Ring Traction Bands

For this model, we recommend the replacement of the stock traction band on the RC Train Wheel with SAE AS568A0.16 Metric 1.5×42 (#35) size Rubber O-Rings for better traction and increased clearance between the track and fuel tank. These will also fit the No. 6 Train Wheel.

Eight O-rings are already supplied in each Premium Instruction Kit, but if you are building a second model, or just want to have some spares on hand, we will be selling a set of eight individually.

O-Ring Replacement Traction Bands

Knuckle Couplers

And last but not least, the SD40-2 can be outfitted with our knuckle couplers. Instructions are included with each model for using either standard LEGO magnetic couplers, or our new knuckle couplers.

Knuckle couplers shown.

The 747S coupler is used with the standard LEGO (No. 5) Train Wheels and the 743S is used with the optional No. 6 Train Wheels.

You can find all these optional parts in the store link bellow.

Store Link to Our Optional Parts

And last but not least, we have restocks of all our previous Premium Instruction models available, as well as decal sets for them and accessories.

BMR Store Link

Thank you, and we hope you enjoy the SD40-2.

The BMR Team

Brickworld Chicago 2019 Exclusive Premium Instructions Now Available

If you’re a registered attendee of Brickworld Chicago this year, we would like to extend an exclusive opportunity.

Similar to our NMRA 2018 National Train Show exclusive, we are happy to announce that an exclusive Premium Instructions Kit is now available for registered attendees of Brickworld Chicago 2019 to pre-order.

The Model

To celebrate the Sesquicentennial of the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad in the United States, I chose to model a B-50-25 “Challenger” Express Boxcar.

Rendering of the final model.

I’ve always had a taste for shorter (in height) boxcars, as well as clean but attractive paint schemes. This car checks all of those boxes. This particular car has been an interest for me since I first saw Nate Brill’s rendition of one a few years ago. It was a striking grey and red scheme with a stylized “The Challenger” to the right of the doors.

Continue reading Brickworld Chicago 2019 Exclusive Premium Instructions Now Available

Brick Model Railroader May Updates: Moving Cabooses and Building New Things.

Hello out there to all our readers. We wanted to take a little time to update you on a few things with the store side of BMR.

Northeastern Caboose Shipping

We had a very successful pre order for our North Eastern Caboose kit and we are great full to all of you who placed an order. We know many of you out there are waiting to hear when they will be shipping. Things are nearly inlace, we’re just waiting on instruction books, and lighting kits from our suppliers. Both of which should be here sometime next week. In the mean time we’ve been getting wheel sets, and kit boxes ready so that when everything comes in, we’ll be able to start shipping right away. Which if everything goes according to plan, should be next week. Thank you all for your patience on this.

The Northeastern Caboose model

And the next BMR Premium Instruction Kit will be?

Continue reading Brick Model Railroader May Updates: Moving Cabooses and Building New Things.

Premium Instruction Restocks and New Decals Added to the BMR Store

Premium Instruction Restocks

Many have been asking when we will be restocking our first four Premium Instruction Kits, and we’ve been listening. Previously, we’ve made a batch of kits to sell, and when they’ve sold out, you would have to wait until we could restock again. We’re going to do things a little different this time though. Since it’s hard for us to gauge demand for each kit, this time we are going to do a pre-order run. So we are opening up pre-orders today, February 5th and will keep it open until March 5th, and how ever many orders we have for each kit is how many we will produce. Once orders are closed, we will need a little time to get the instruction books in from the printer, parts for the wheel sets, and assemble kits. We hope to start shipping orders in mid to late March.

We are doing this for two reasons. Firstly, we hope by doing this that every one who has not had a chance to buy one or all of the cars yet will be able to get them. Second, as we are looking to produce new Premium Instructions for 2018, we want to focus most of our energy toward those new projects, so we are hoping we can do one last big run of the four original cars before diving headlong into new ones. Don’t worry, the original four won’t be gone for good by any means. We hope you’ll agree with us when we want to offer more exciting and new stuff, ideas for which are more than plentiful.

You can find the Pullman PS-1 Box Car, USRA 55ton Hopper, ACF Type 27 Tank Car, and AAR 70ton 53ft Flat Car in our online store.

Brick Model Railroader Store

Continue reading Premium Instruction Restocks and New Decals Added to the BMR Store

The ACF Type 27 Tank Car Instructions Are Now Available For Order

We’re returning with our third premium instructions kit!

Announcing the Brick Model Railroader, American Car & Foundry Type 27 Tank Car premium instructions available for order here.

See our video review here

The Type 27 tank car was built by the American Car & Foundry Co. from 1927 into the late 1940’s. The Type 27 was available in capacities from 4,000 gallons up to 12,000 gallons, and could be ordered with multiple compartments (each with its own dome) for hauling separate liquids in the same car. Model designed by Glenn Holland, our instructions can model 6 different versions. The two most popular tank sizes, 8,000 gallon and 10,000 gallon, each with one, two, or three domes.

As with all premium instructions, we will include the custom elements needed to build the model. All you need to do is gather the standard Lego parts from your own collection and you’ll be on your way to a great tank car model.

You can build the car in the color of your choice, or you can purchase decals to build the car in one of the following authentic railroad paint schemes bellow.

US Army Transportation Corp

US Army decals for the 10,000 gallon single dome model.

Shell

Shell decals for the 8,000 gallon single dome model.

Shippers Car Line

ACFX decals for the 8,000 gallon triple dome model, based on the car in Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

Esso

Esso decals for the 10,000 gallon double dome model.

1920’s OCTAN with Logo design by Shawn Kelly

1920’s style OCTAN decals for the 8,000 gallon double dome model. Logo by Shawn Kelly.

1940’s OCTAN with Logo design by Michael Gale

1940’s style OCTAN decals for the 10,000 gallon triple dome model.

 

In addition to releasing the tank cars, we will also have more of our original premium instruction kits, the Pullman PS-1 40′ boxcar and USRA 55-TON Hopper Car.  We still have decals available for these cars too.

And, of course, we will have extra wheel sets available for purchase for those wanting to build more than one car. All of the products mentioned above; the hopper and boxcar premium instructions, decals, and wheel sets will be available in our online store.