New Athearn tunnel motor

[Anonymous]

When I was at the train show in Seattle last week, I saw Athearn's new RTR SD45-T tunnelmotor loco. Wow--it looked great with the see through grill and lots of details. I'll be buying a few for my layout!!!!!

[Anonymous]

YEAH !!!!!

[philnrunt]

Saw a pic on the MR e-mail update, very impressive. A few in Espee and DRGW paint would dress up any layout!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by philnrunt

Saw a pic on the MR e-mail update, very impressive. A few in Espee and DRGW paint would dress up any layout!

I thought the same but the D&RGW owns only SD40T-2 !

[nfmisso]

See: http://www.pbase.com/tracktime/nmra2004

[cacole]

Yes, a nice model, indeed, and perfect for SP modelers. If the rear grills are really see-through, how do they hide the rear truck gear box and drive shaft in that area? The real tunnel motors had nothing at all in that area but empty space, and you could see completely through from one side to the other.

[the-big-blow]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

If the rear grills are really see-through, how do they hide the rear truck gear box and drive shaft in that area?

Compromise!! Its looks as if the gear tower is still visible in the picture. Be glad that were getting a model of this quality from Athearn

WAY TO GO ATHEARN!!!!!!

[jfugate]

Yes, the gear tower is visible through the rear intake grills. I hope to have a video clip posted we took of the SD45T-2 at the train show by tomorrow.

For myself, I plan to modify the model to remove the gear tower on that end and only power the locomotive from the front gear tower. It will reduce the power of the locomotive, but the way I have the tractive effort / train length ratio set up on the Siskiyou Line, a second generation diesel only needs to pull 7 cars up a 2.5% grade.

[StillGrande]

Are they only being produced in undec, or are they just egging UP on?

[the-big-blow]

COTTON BELT BICENTENNIAL IS A MUST!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

This should be a decent-looking loco. I have one of the late-model SD40T-2s by Athearn (with single-piece driveshafts) which is one of my best locos. Here's hoping they keep the same drivetrain on the new model as it behaves very well, with decent power,smooth running, and reasonably quiet.

[Anonymous]

Joe: I enjoyed your presentation at the NMRA convention. I will try to post a picture of the Athearn loco, but things are alittle busy at the office right now. The grills are see through, but you can see the rear gear in the model, which is unlike the prototype.

[nfmisso]

Take a look at:

http://www.pbase.com/image/31290092

[jfugate]

For streaming video clips of the National Train show see - http://model-trains-video.com.

One of the cooler clips is the new HO Athearn Challenger loco with sound. The sound comes through pretty good on the 100K and 300K broadband video clips. (The 56K modem clip, well, we tried ... ). The video clarity is okay for streaming on the broadband clips.

Also, have clips of the new Athearn SD45T-2 and their scale-width hood GP35. Also have links to Harry Wong's wonderful digital photos of the SD45T-2.

Plan to add more clips to the train show section at http://model-trains-video.com over the next few days so check back if you are interested in more info about the show.

[SSW9389]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bigblow69

COTTON BELT BICENTENNIAL IS A MUST!!!!!!!

Dittos on that one!

[Anonymous]

Here are some pictures I took at the train show:



Joe, glad to see you got some time away from your booth to see that lovely model. Were you able to swing by the Details West booth? They had a P2K SD9 all dressed up in their new SD9E detail kit. That kit will sure make detailing the other 4 SD9's I have a lot easier.

[ericsp]

I am guessing that this will be a ready to run locomotive costing about $150 or a Genesis costing at least $200. Have you noticed that every time Athearn comes out with a new product it costs significantly more that a similar product that came out not too long before that. Take for example the Genesis 60' Excess Height Boxcars ($24.98) versus the PCF RBLs they came out with ($29.98). Were the R&D costs really that much higher or does it really cost $4 to $5 more to make the RBLs? I doubt it.

What is the purpose of the see through grills if there are parts there that should not be there?

I'll take the "Blue Box" kits any day.

[Anonymous]

This is supposed to be a ready to roll model not a Genesis. I am sure that the prices will continue to go up as long people keep buyng the products. I suspect that street price will be in the $85-$100 level for these locos.

[the-big-blow]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp



What is the purpose of the see through grills if there are parts there that should not be there?

I'll take the "Blue Box" kits any day.

Compromise be glad Athearn is making this model at all.

All Hail Athearn!!!!

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JimdeBree

This is supposed to be a ready to roll model not a Genesis. I am sure that the prices will continue to go up as long people keep buyng the products. I suspect that street price will be in the $85-$100 level for these locos.

The price of the DRGW SD50 is about $105. I am sure the SD45T-2 will be more, espicially if UP wins the lawsuit.

[Anonymous]

Yeah Eric--I agree with you. The SD-50's have a list price of around $105 and can be had for around $80. So I figure they will increase the price on the tunnel motors to around $115-$125 meaning that the street price will be around $85-$100.

[ericsp]

I remember when Athearn's SD40T-2 was $34.50. I wish Athearn was still producing them, one can never have enough Tunnel Motors.

[ericsp]

I noticed that Athearn will not be announcing the roadnames for the new SD45T-2 until October (probably will be done later). I am guessing that they are waiting to see the outcome of the lawsuit to determine if they will come decorated for SP, SSW, or that other company.

[Anonymous]

Actually they did announce that it will be available in SP, SSW, SSW BiCentential, KCS and one other road.

[decoy706]

Announcement I saw had NO road names mentioned unless your talking about the European(German) train shop add

[ericsp]

Here is what I am referring to. There are no roadnames listed there.

http://www.athearn.com/RTR/sd45t_2/sd45t_2.html

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by decoy706

Announcement I saw had NO road names mentioned unless your talking about the European(German) train shop add

Exact ! And Rainer from All American Trains wrote above the listed model :

"Itemnumbers are optional by AAT Germany and not officially given by Athearn USA !"

BTW: AAT is my LHS and it´s a full service LHS! (Okay LHS isnt 100% correct because Kaarst is about 140 kilometers away)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

I remember when Athearn's SD40T-2 was $34.50. I wish Athearn was still producing them, one can never have enough Tunnel Motors.

I got my three Amtrak GE P42 in the new RTR version today.

I hope that Athearn will upgrade the SD40T-2 in a same way like the SD40-2 (UP United Way or the UP camouflage version) looks very good with the plastic handrails!!!!!

Okay a Kato is a little bit better but this Athearn are very good!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ericsp

I noticed that Athearn will not be announcing the roadnames for the new SD45T-2 until October (probably will be done later). I am guessing that they are waiting to see the outcome of the lawsuit to determine if they will come decorated for SP, SSW, or that other company.

SSW and SP are also UP brands !!! [:D][:D][:D] or [:(][:(][:(]

[BRAKIE]

Guys,That is one sweet looking locomotive..All to sadly I can't use it but am eagerly awaiting the new RTR GP35..[:D]
A little off topic..I always been a fan of Athearn's and will continue to be.I have 4 of the CF7s and can't praise them enough...I plan on buying 2 NS SD70s with the Spartan cabs for club use as well as 2 or 3 of the NS GP38-2s in NS "Nags Head" scheme.