"The SDP45 would be very expensive to do considering the few owners and the lack of other projects that could use the chassis. Would take two body styles alone just to do EL/CR and GN/BN, and then you have the SP ones with even more variations (and if you are thinking about the later MK rebuilt speed lettered 1990s version then due to those being MK rebuilds almost every one was different from the other 5). It is also one of those units where many think it would be really cool to have one - up until the day so many can easily buy them and they loose that "only person on the block to have one" appeal. It happened in brass on them, and by the way, I doubt if Union Terminal would have done their recent brass run if there was even a hint of any plastic manufacturer even thinking of doing them. It could happen... someday... but right now there are several things pointing against it being anytime soon."
This is welcomed news for the IC fans. They now have a frame for making SD40A's. I doubt Athearn will do them for the limited appeal of the prototype. Shame though as I would probably order a few if they did.
The only three things I can say are: 1) I was wrong because I though Athearn had better judgement of the demand 2) Every manufacturer has made poor production decisions before. Time will tell on this one. 3) At least now we won't have any more postings from the vocal few asking for them (at least until the complaints about the Athearn one being too expensive, having wrong details, not being a Kato...)
Post by stevewagner on Jul 19, 2013 5:50:52 GMT -8
I just now found this on Athearn's website:
Features: • As-built SP-version SDP45 • Carbody with correct walkway light placement for walkway water fill step-ups • Correct placement of walkway water fills • SP-version steam generator hatch and vent • Icicle breakers front and rear • Tall SP plow with steam line door • Front angled coupler cut lever • Front trainline hose with drop elbow • MU hoses front and rear • Boiler water transfer hoses front and rear • Front drop step • Front MU stand with field loop receptacle • Silver class lights on the short hood • Nose top vent • “L”-window cab • Full front SP light package • Cab gyralight – operates in DCC • Roof mounted bell • Rectangular cab vents • Sunshades • Windwings fore and aft with upper mirrors • Nathan P3 air horn • Round base whip antenna • Extended range dynamic brake housing • Diamond-grid radiator intake grills • Flat long hood end • Rear anticlimber • Rear pilot mounted MU receptacle • Rear early coupler lever • Rear trainline hose • Salem air filter • 5000 gallon fuel and water tank • Flexicoil-C Trucks with high/low brake cylinders and Hyatt bearings • Dual end sanding lines • DCC ready or with DCC and SoundTraxx Tsunami sound pre-installed • Era: 1967 thru mid 1970s (road number on nose) — Genesis HO Southern Pacific SDP45 (13 photos) .52 minutes ago..
(I think Athearn was quoting their own Facebook announcement. -- SW)
It looks like the SDP40F won the FB vote but lost out on the delivery. Maybe next year...
Is that the 2nd or 3rd annoucement for 2013? Was Athearn going to announce 3 new engines this year? If so, then maybe the SDP40F could still be announced this year, but if not, then next based on the polling information. The SDP40F only fits in with my modeling plans as a rerouted SFZ. The rerouted SFZ did travel over the rockes a number of times according to photo's I've seen being led by an SDP40F. Hopefully it will be along in the next year.
Yes, the new SDP45 looks nice - some good pictures on Train Orders to get close up views. Even the signature SP angled left bars on the front are in the model although the are a bit curvy. I wonder if Genesis cut bars like that will be aplied to future SP releases? Nice looking diesels. I'm partial to SP but not sure these fit the donner pass route or 80's pool power on the D&RGW. I'll have to learn a bit more before I decide if I'll be buying or not to see if they fit my modeling scheme.
Post by stevewagner on Jul 19, 2013 5:58:01 GMT -8
Go to www.modelrailroadnews.com and click on "News". Athearn will be offering Genesis HO models of Erie Lackawanna and Great Northern SDP45's as will as the Southern Pacific units. Four road numbers each, with railroad-specific details. Delivery is expected sometime in 2014. $289.98 list each with DCC controller and Tsunami sound, $189.98 each without those features.
Model Railroad News has a pre-production photo of the new SDP45. I can see Athearn already has hosed up the Great Northern version. DURING THEIR TIME ON THE GN THE NEVER HAD WINTERIZATION HATCHES!!!!! It wasn't until LATE in their BN life did they get the hatches. How the heck can you screw this up.
Last Edit: Jul 20, 2013 11:23:40 GMT -8 by Deleted: I seem to have ruffled feathers.....there is hope
Features: • As-built SP-version SDP45 • Carbody with correct walkway light placement for walkway water fill step-ups • Correct placement of walkway water fills • SP-version steam generator hatch and vent • Icicle breakers front and rear • Tall SP plow with steam line door • Front angled coupler cut lever • Front trainline hose with drop elbow • MU hoses front and rear • Boiler water transfer hoses front and rear • Front drop step • Front MU stand with field loop receptacle • Silver class lights on the short hood • Nose top vent • “L”-window cab • Full front SP light package • Cab gyralight – operates in DCC • Roof mounted bell • Rectangular cab vents • Sunshades • Windwings fore and aft with upper mirrors • Nathan P3 air horn • Round base whip antenna • Extended range dynamic brake housing • Diamond-grid radiator intake grills • Flat long hood end • Rear anticlimber • Rear pilot mounted MU receptacle • Rear early coupler lever • Rear trainline hose • Salem air filter • 5000 gallon fuel and water tank • Flexicoil-C Trucks with high/low brake cylinders and Hyatt bearings • Dual end sanding lines • DCC ready or with DCC and SoundTraxx Tsunami sound pre-installed • Era: 1967 thru mid 1970s (road number on nose) — Genesis HO Southern Pacific SDP45 (13 photos) .52 minutes ago..
No mention of dual flywheel-equipped five-pole skewed armature motor, couplers or paint and lettering?
Hmmm, call me skeptical.
I am the poster child for falling math scores in America.
Model Railroad News has a pre-production photo of the new SDP45. I can see Athearn already has hosed up the Great Northern version. DURING THEIR TIME ON THE GN THE NEVER HAD WINTERIZATION HATCHES!!!!! It wasn't until LATE in their BN life did they get the hatches. Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if you let them know, it's probably not to late to get the changes made. Plus keep in mind, pre production models are usually messed up in several ways as they're working the bugs out. But it couldn't hurt to let them know.
Weirdly enough, I now hope curt is right about slow sales. That way maybe I can pick one up cheap?!!
I want an undec, but looks like there won't be one. It'll get Rio Grande paint, I just haven't decided on whether to go with regular freight paint or a nice single-stripe passenger scheme.
Then there's that Rapido GMD-1. With a steam generator, it actually makes more sense for my secondary main/branch line passenger ops. Probably can only afford one or the other next year. Hmm, hmm, decisions, decisions.
Model Railroad News has a pre-production photo of the new SDP45. I can see Athearn already has hosed up the Great Northern version. DURING THEIR TIME ON THE GN THE NEVER HAD WINTERIZATION HATCHES!!!!! It wasn't until LATE in their BN life did they get the hatches. Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
New world record for trashing a new engine release.
Model Railroad News has a pre-production photo of the new SDP45. I can see Athearn already has hosed up the Great Northern version. DURING THEIR TIME ON THE GN THE NEVER HAD WINTERIZATION HATCHES!!!!! It wasn't until LATE in their BN life did they get the hatches. Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
Model Railroad News has a pre-production photo of the new SDP45. I can see Athearn already has hosed up the Great Northern version. DURING THEIR TIME ON THE GN THE NEVER HAD WINTERIZATION HATCHES!!!!! It wasn't until LATE in their BN life did they get the hatches. Idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I doubt sales will be low for these units; this odd ball SP stuff sells regardless of where you are the country. We sell a ton of SP stuff in CINCINNATI @ our shop.
Some people would bitch if they were hung with a new rope.By the way the SDP45 was what I voted for so I guess I get lucky sometimes.
And Al said voting did not matter.
Now if we can talk them into a N scale version.
I don't think at the price of the model, we should not bitch if it not right. I am one of Athearn's biggest critics at times. I understand preproduction models things are not always the way they should be. But in this day and age there is no reason why Athearn can't get these right from the start. I am sure there are plenty of historical groups that would be willing to help Athearn get things right. I am a EL modeler so I am very happy to see the SDP45. But the preproduction model is not right it has a glaring error. The EL units should have low profile fans on the entire engine. The preproduction unit has regular height fans in the dynamic brake position. This is OK for a CR unit which is what Athearn worked off of at VRM. If this is not corrected this unit is no good to me, There are no after market low profile fan available to switch these out. Plus Athearn got this right on SD45-2 so Why not the SDP45. These units never ran on the EL without all Low profile fans. this was a CR modification. I look at it like this, if you went to the car dealer and purchased a car with options XYZ. You would expect XYZ to be on the car when you picked it up. If not you would complain(bitch) to the dealer. I see no difference with expecting a new model to be right.
While I was pretty sure my money was safe after Athearn published that shortlist, I suspect that there will be at least a dozen of these at the next BAPM after they're delivered.
Dude that is a MODEL PHOTOSHOPPED on real track. See the Kadee coupler hose............
Hi Jim,
The track looks like Micro Engineering to me, as evident by the mold seam/parting line along the tops of the ties. Obviously it was taken outside in natural sunlight, which gives the shot an overall more realistic appearance, in my opinion, always better for model photography! Also, though the plow and beacon may be inaccurate in this pre-production shot, we still have 6-10 months before they arrive. I'm sure Athearn could remedy this by then. So relax my man, it's all good...
Post by nightmare0331 on Jul 19, 2013 7:30:32 GMT -8
Someone from Athearn must have gone to Australianterrier's house and kicked his dogs...that's the only reason I can figure he's so angry towards Athearn instead of offering constructive criticism on a preproduction sample. I suppose calling Athearn idiots is easier than politely contacting them.
Kudos to Athearn for doing a neat model. I might have to acquire one or three.