Athearn RTR SD45

[Packer]

I  noticed these a little bit ago:

http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/092209/06_SD45_092209.pdf
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH95464

Those and those Big sky blue SD45s?!?! I can feel my wallet burning right now.....

edit: Okay, so the NP SD45s don't have the opera windows. I could make a plate-over patch for those and add them to the model.

[riogrande5761]

I'd guess as with many Athearns, a break in period would benefit the RTR SD45.  I now have 3 RTR SD45's (first 3 D&RGW numbers) but haven't had a chance to test run mine as I have no layout available presently).

I agree with you Larry, online reveiws are very subjective so I'd understand the MR has more of a "control" or standard to it.  Usually MR reviewers check dimensions and evaluate running characterestics.  I've found the reviews in Rail Model Craftsman tend to be a little more "critical" which is a good thing for those thinking about buying.

From what I understand, the RTR Athearn SD45 was based on the old Rail Power SD45 shell tooling.  Athearn abandoned the old wide body shell it used for years in BB SD45's.  Apparently Athearn did so some upgrading or new tooling to parts of the RTR SD45 body.  What was left in-tact was the rear hood body with side doors.  The old molding of the hood doors is a little crude if examined closely and compared with newer shells.  One thing I like about the new SD45 is that it has some prototype specific details like the D&RGW low nose signal light (also seen on the SD40T-2 and now Atlas has added it to their new GP40-2), now plow and roof sinclair antenae.  I plan to add examples of the D&RGW large herald SD45 to my fleet when it is released also.

[WilScarletMacaw]

I just received my RTR SD45 Hustle Muscle.  Love the directional lighting!  Never seen that before from Athearn RTR.  Horn is in the wrong place, on the cab.  GN 400-407 had them between the two fan sections.  The big problem is that it picks frogs and derails, especially when pulling a train.  The best guys at the club looked at it, gauged it okay, but felt like the trucks were too stiff and there wasn't enough play in the wheels.  Their recommendation was to run it and hope the trucks loosen up.  This is possibly unique to this one unit.

[Packer]

If they come out in BN colors, I might buy them instead of waiting for walthers to possibly re-release them in BN colors.

Keep an eye out on ebay.  I think I just saw someone selling two P2K in BN.  I'd give you my P2K in BN but I'm going to be patching it to MRL, unless you stop me.

Here are the ones on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Proto-2000-SD45-Burlington-Northern-6489_W0QQitemZ180221776880QQihZ008QQcategoryZ19135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Proto-2000-SD45-Burlington-Northern-6497_W0QQitemZ180221776959QQihZ008QQcategoryZ19135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I seen those, the guy always sells them for 80 bucks. but as of now I'm saving my money until this semester is over. (just got done with mid-terms). After that and some more GP30s, I'll look for SD45s.

[ArtOfRuin]

Sorry, but I won't be able to do a performance review after all. I know two modelers who have layouts, but both are DCC and I don't have a decoder.

I really need to get started on building my layout!

[BRAKIE]

No offense intended..As for me I will judge this unit on MRR magazine review as I done over the past years as well as checking around with the local modelers since I personally know these guys by name or sight..

Reading reviews isn't a bad idea, but MRR's reviews tend to be a little "fluffy" as a rule and have not been as good at checking dimensions, accuracy etc as RMC has done.

Jim,I am still very cautious with on line reviews..To many self appointed "experts" review models by their modeling style instead of a unbiased review base solely on the model its self.Then I suspect many bash a new product because they *may* not like the manufacturer or the model its self.

I am not naive enough to believe everything I read on a forum concerning a given product..I trust the guys I know locally and of course some on line opinions from the members I feel are above board and gives a honest opinion based on facts backed by pictures and that doesn't include the whiners.

Still I use my judgement to buy or not to buy a given product.

Think and you should know who is on my short list.Be sure to include yourself.

[riogrande5761]

No offense intended..As for me I will judge this unit on MRR magazine review as I done over the past years as well as checking around with the local modelers since I personally know these guys by name or sight..

Reading reviews isn't a bad idea, but MRR's reviews tend to be a little "fluffy" as a rule and have not been as good at checking dimensions, accuracy etc as RMC has done.

[zgardner18]

If they come out in BN colors, I might buy them instead of waiting for walthers to possibly re-release them in BN colors.

Keep an eye out on ebay.  I think I just saw someone selling two P2K in BN.  I'd give you my P2K in BN but I'm going to be patching it to MRL, unless you stop me.

Here are the ones on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Proto-2000-SD45-Burlington-Northern-6489_W0QQitemZ180221776880QQihZ008QQcategoryZ19135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Proto-2000-SD45-Burlington-Northern-6497_W0QQitemZ180221776959QQihZ008QQcategoryZ19135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ArtOfRuin]

I've begun building my layout, so as of right now I'm unable to assess my SD45's performance. I might be able to get it tested on Tuesday as I know someone who has a layout I can try it on. It does look like it uses the same drivetrain and motor as any other modern RTR Athearn SD-series loco, so it'll probably run like, say, the SD40-2T MRR recently tested. For now, I can comment on the detailing and other aspects:

My Athearn HO Scale SD45 came in Monday. Its the undecorated high-hood model so obviously, I can't comment on the paint. I'm currently in the middle of superdetailing it (it will be modeled afte Guilford SD45 #ST681, but it will recieve a custom B&M bluebird paint scheme). The high nose and cab are separate parts from the rest of the body, so they can be easily replaced with Cannon parts if you wish. Compared to a blue-box GP40-2 shell I had laying around, the cab and nose detail have improved.

The undecorated model comes with a plethora of detailing parts, many of which are different variants of the same part so you can match the prototype. Such parts include pan-top or wire-top dynamic brake and radiator fans, Farr or chicken-wire radiator grilles, different sub-base door configurations, Flex-i-coil sideframes with low- or high mount brake cylinders, fuel tank piping, separate plastic windows that fit nearly flush with the window frames, wire grabirons, and more. Most of the parts press-fit in snugly into pre-drilled holes or slots. The smaller parts are on sprues. The larger parts are already separated from the parts sprue and have almost no flash (the brake wheel housing went in a little crooked, though. Measure once, curse twice...).

The tooling on the detailing is very good. The grill on the dynamic brake housing, the d.b./radiator fans, and the exhaust stack are all see-through, while the texture on the radiator grilles are very finely tooled. The long and short hoods are scale-width now. However, it is missing some detailing, such as ditch lights, horn (which comes with the decorated models), lift rings, and pilot detail aside from plows and footboards. The ex-RPP shell does show some age as there's no texture on the pilot steps or the walkways, but curiously the separatly-applied cab steps and pilot footboards are see-through. The instructions consist solely of Athearn's vernerable exploded diagram.

The frame is all metal. The fuel tank and air tanks are serparate parts now and the fuel tank is available in different sizes to match the prototype (N&W SD45s all had the 4000gal. tank, so that's the one it came with). The couplers are body-mounted in separate draft gear boxes. They easily accept Kadee #58s and are within gauge, as are all the wheelsets. The coupler mounting screws go through the coupler box, through the frame to mounting posts on the body shell. The frame holes on mine are slightly misaligned, so the loco's nose deflects outward when the screws are attached. This should be easily fixed by cementing the nose to the cab or drilling out the holes in the frame a little bit.

Summary on the body: Good model with excellent detailing on many parts, but a few details are still missing. Just like the old blue-box locos, its a great starting point for superdetailing or kitbashing.

[Packer]

If they come out in BN colors, I might buy them instead of waiting for walthers to possibly re-release them in BN colors.

[coborn35]

Oops didnt see you said you talked to other modelers too. My bad.

[D&HRR]

Guess the regular modelers are too good for you huh? Down at the club and the hobby shop is my best way of getting ideas of what models are looking good, not waiting for MRR to do a review.

I agree, I like to hear what the "locals" say about new products. Sometimes I think MR leans more towards the companies that have deep pockets.

But anyway back to the topic. I have seen the new SD-45's and I think they look great, I can imagine that they run well to. All of my newer Athearn products run great. They have come a long way since the jet motor and rubber bands.

[coborn35]

Guess the regular modelers are too good for you huh? Down at the club and the hobby shop is my best way of getting ideas of what models are looking good, not waiting for MRR to do a review.

[BRAKIE]

No offense intended..As for me I will judge this unit on MRR magazine review as I done over the past years as well as checking around with the local modelers since I personally know these guys by name or sight..

 

[WCfan]

Please post! I'm hoping to buy one, so I'd like to know how it runs.

[Anonymous]

Go for it! Even if MR doesn't publish it, you could still share it here!

[AntonioFP45]

Art,

Question: Does your unit have the tread plate pattern on the walkways, or are the walkways smooth?

[ArtOfRuin]

Just wondering, has anyone else here gotten the new RTR SD45 from Athearn? My undecorated high-nose came in on Monday. I was thinking of writing a review for it, though I haven't had a chance to run it yet. I'm afraid it wouldn't be as comprehensive as an MRR magazine review either, since I'm still running with a RailPower 1300 power pack.