SDP40F

[Bob Bufkin]

Has anyone ever done a SDP40F.  Can't find any in Spookshows site.  Amtrak did have 150 of these used all over the US.  Iconic 70s Amtrak.

[CBQ Fan]

I would buy one if one of the major players produced one.

[jagged ben]

You mean in N scale?  No.  No one has done one.

[learmoia]

I'm surprised Athearn hasn't taken the plunge on these in HO scale..

Amtrak Phase 1, 2, 3.. ATSF, Kodacrome, Mersk, BNSF...

The best bet today in N is an Athearn FP45 Foobie (Maybe with an Atlas SD50 frame/trucks)...

~Ian

[davefoxx]

Without researching the issue, I would think that a GE P30CH ("POOCH") would better serve the needs of my layout.  The EMD SDP40Fs were on the way out on Amtrak due to derailments, so I probably wouldn't have a need for them on a mid-1980s Auto Train.

But, you ATSF modelers could even use the SDP40Fs on freight trains into the 1990s, if I remember correctly.

DFF

[nkalanaga]

As far as I know the P30CHs weren't used on the BN, at least west of Chicago.  In spite of the alleged derailment problems they stayed on the Empire Builder into the late 70s, and it had a very good performance record.

I kitbashed a pair of SDP40Fs from LL F40s, on Atlas SD50 chassis, and they run very nicely.  The bodies didn't turn out too badly, but I'd certainly buy a pair, if they were made in the Phase I paint.    They were at most a year old in my era, so would contrast nicely with the F units.

[Ngineer]

But, you ATSF modelers could even use the SDP40Fs on freight trains into the 1990s, if I remember correctly.

Yes, that is correct.

A few years ago I asked Kato if they could do an SDP40F regarding a) the 40 years of Amtrak they were celebrating and b) the fact that they already have a loco, the SD40-2, which could serve for inside the shell.

I also pointed out that they could do an ATSF model (SDF40-2), which ALWAYS sells good and should get them their tooling money back. They could even do units with BNSF patch.

Alas, I am still hoping for Kato over Athearn.

(The F45 from Athearn together with a NP gondola were the coffin nails for me buying Athearn stuff. I have shunned them since for quality issues. Your mileage may vary.)

Javier

[nkalanaga]

My Athearn F45s are fine.  Much better than the W&R brass models, which wouldn't stay on the track until I stuffed Kato SD40 frames in them.  I'd love to have a pair of Athearn SDP40Fs, even if they did fudge the wheelbase to use the FP45 frame.

[peteski]

Could someone provide a brief overview of the visual differences between F45, FP45, SDP40F and SDF40-2?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I thought the SF rebuilds looked a lot different than the Amtrak units. Wouldn't that mean multiple shells?

[C855B]

Could someone provide a brief overview of the visual differences between F45, FP45, SDP40F and SDF40-2?

Taking the F45 as a baseline (http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1987086):

FP45 - About six feet longer (all behind the radiators), steam generator vents on top. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=144972

SDP40F - Radiators closer to dynamic brake vents for much longer rear section to accommodate extra water tank. HT-C trucks. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3333085

SDF40-2 - Rear section vents and doors blanked, exhaust muffler removed/modified. http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=32020

[Ngineer]

Why does the SDP40F have two different nose designs where the lower lamps are located? Which design is the earlier one?

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=477291&nseq=2
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=243415&nseq=139

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=261859&nseq=143
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=469883&nseq=276

Internally, the F45 is an SDP45 and the FP45 is an SD45. AFAIK they all have the same prime mover, hence the same power output.

EDIT: ATSF fans might want to read this: http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/sdp40f.html

Javier

[C855B]

Changed with the second order, between #'s 539 and 540. 540 and above all have had the flat noses.

I recall railfans of the day grousing about the "cheapening" of the design.

[nkalanaga]

"Internally, the F45 is an SDP45 and the FP45 is an SD45."

I think you meant that the other way around, with the "P"s together?

That's why it was so simple to repower my brass F45s.  The SD40, SD45, and F45 all used the basically the same frame, so all I had to do was insulate the frame halves (masking tape) and add a few styrene pieces to keep everything at the right height.

[Rich_S]

Could someone provide a brief overview of the visual differences between F45, FP45, SDP40F and SDF40-2?

Visually, the biggest difference between the SDP40F and the F45, FP45 is the SDP40F does not have any handrails on the extremely small front porch. The SDF40-2, is a Santa Fe rebuild of the SDP40F where Santa Fe notched the front hood, added front handrails.

Amtrak SDP40F
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1611993

Santa Fe SD40F-2
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1028858

As others have mentioned, the F45 is a cowl version of the SD45 and the FP45 is a cowl version of the SDP45 with the passenger steam generation equipment.