Cool Looking EMD to model! Out of the ordinary.

[AntonioFP45]

Check this out:

 http://www.northeast.railfan.net/

On top of the page click on "Search: When the box opens up, forget all the other extra blanks. Just type in SDP40f. A page will open with various shots including Unit #218. You will also see at least two other modified cowl units.

To me the "Eye Catcher" is locomotive #218. Very attractive paint scheme! This ex-Amtrak SDP40f was re-equipped with the EMD 710 series diesel engine for testing.

What especially attracted my attention to this locomotive is that it has kept its Amtrak "gyra light", and the class lights on the number board.

I definetly plan on modeling this unit, even though my modeling period is up until 1971. Looks like an Athearn FP45 would be a good unit to use.

Going to experiment with a little acrylic "Color Mixing".

Would be a neat locomotive to "tour" a layout for EMD "demo-test" runs with hotshot interodals or even commuter runs.

Imagination is the limit!

Cheers and 10-4!

[dharmon]

Antonio,

Here are a couple of SDP40F websites.

http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/sdp40f.html
http://www.qstation.org/sdf40-2/sdf40-2.html

On the Q Station site it shows Gregg Fuhriman's SDF40-2 kitbash. In the article, it references an April 1990 RMC article which details a kitbash of an SDP40F from Athearn shells. The SDF40-2/SDP40F I did, didn't follow the article exactly, but I used it as a jumping point to work from. If you are so inclined, it is alot cheaper than the AS Models resin kit. But then again, I enjoy that stuff.

[Anonymous]

And if you want to see something similar, but modern, CN has SD60F's and SD50F's. CP also has similar, but even more unique SD40-2F's, which were the last SD40-2's built, in 1989, 8 years after production officially ended.

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mykroft

And if you want to see something similar, but modern, CN has SD60F's and SD50F's. CP also has similar, but even more unique SD40-2F's, which were the last SD40-2's built, in 1989, 8 years after production officially ended.

I really like the Draper Taper units. Maybe someday, I'll get around to doing one of those.

[AntonioFP45]

Forgot to mention that I will also equip this unit with a sound decoder from Soundtraxx. Looks like the S-3 horn sound is as close as I can get. from Soundtraxx's choices.

I do hope they will offer more horn choices eventually!

[NHRRJET]

The SDP40Fs were pretty neat, especially when they received the "cigar band scheme". When I worked for Amtrak, I went to FL on the Champion; we had SDP40Fs out of DC. I got some nice shots of them. They also ran for a short time on the Shore Line between NH and Boston.
I also remember riding the real Champion (ACL) in 1958 behind purple and silver E's. . .now that was slick!!

[AntonioFP45]

NHRRJET,

Great! I have very fond memories of those huge SDPs pulling the Champion, Silver Star and Floridian back in the 70s. Two SDP40fs pulling the Champion with 15 "Heritage" cars was quite common in the winter times of the mid 1970s. Now today, a ten car Amtrak train of lightweight "Amfleet" and Viewliner cars is considered "long!"

For several years I had thought that these locomotives were FP45s until a modeler I had befriended started teaching me how to tell locomotives apart. Watching those Amtrak SDPs in my teen years is why I'm such an EMD Cowl unit fan.

It's great that you got to see the the ACL Champion pulled by E units. That must have been a wonderful experience. I bet you experienced 80 to 90 mph speeds behind those locomotives!

If you took any photos, please consider posting them.

Cheers with an E7 in Run8!

[Anonymous]

It's too bad there's not too many of the SDP40F's around anymore.

Of course, I'm up in Covered Wagon heaven here in Canada. We've got the modern units I mentioned before, the Dash 8-40CM's on CN, Ontario Northland's rebuilt FP7's (The last F units in revenue service for the original owner) and even Via Rail still runs a couple of FP9's in revenue service in the wilds of Quebec. Oh, and Canadian roads have more E units today than in the 50's. Of course, there were only 2 back then, on CP, but CN has 4 E-9's now (From the IC merger)

[NHRRJET]

When I rode The Champion in Feb. 1958, we had a 5-striped GG1 from NY to DC, RF&P E8s from DC to Richmond, ACL E's from Richmond to Jax, then FEC yellow and red E's from Jax to Miami. What a beautiful train. That ACL purple and silver looked real sharp!

[Anonymous]

Here is another unusual EMD I dont know if this one ever hit the market though?
Meet the GT44MAC

[AntonioFP45]

CSX MU,

That is one very coooooooooool looking unit! Since its classification starts with "GT" I'm pretty sure it's and EMD unit made for Australia.

If Peter M636C is monitoring these threads, he might chime in and give us some details.

[GDRMCo]

That GT is an Aus locomotive. It is to run in QLD on the narrow gauge system for Pacific National Queensland

[M636C]

Guys,

The GT46MAC illustrated is in fact a broad gauge (5'6", 1676mm) unit for India, and more of them are being assembled in India. They have a passenger version which they call the GT46PAC, which has only four motors, and as discussed on another thread, like the Alaska SD 70 MAC uses one of the AC converters for train power while powering four motors from the converter intended to power three motors.

Export locomotives use a different classification than US domestic units.

G = General Purpose (rather than "GP")
T= Turbocharged
46 = 16 cylinder 710G3 (or later) engine
C = six axle trucks (this might be considered to be included in the MAC in this case)

The "MAC" isn't usually used, only "AC" is usual, since these locomotives don't have US style wide nose cabs.

The Pacific National Queensland unit, also used by QR is a:

GT42 CU - AC

42 = 12 cylinder 710 G3B-ES engine.
u = universal = narrow gauge capable traction motors.

Otherwise as for the Indian unit.

The "numbers" for export units are

number of cylinders for 567C engines
number of cylinders (+10) for 645E engines
number of cylinders (+20) for 645F engines
number of cylinders (+30) for 710G engines

In Australia we have a number of GT46C locomotives, but all have DC motors (so far).

Export GT46C locomotives are usually limited to 3800 HP because of the AR11 (SD60) alternator. The SD70(M) AR20 may be too heavy for weight limited units.

The Queensland GT42 CU-AC units are 3030 HP being equivalent to an "SD69MAC" if one existed.

It's a pity GDRMCo's photos didn't show (or least didn't to me). The PN-Q unit is painted like the Australian flag at about 30 degrees upward, with the (part) Union Jack coloured yellow rather than red to match PN house colours, and the "Southern Cross" and "States" stars rearranged to fit the body. It really is something to see, the basic colours being like the blue and yellow ATSF warbonnet, but ending in an angle rather than a parabola, with the white stripe of the St Andrews cross (or is it the white edging of the St George cross?) separating yellow and blue. It actually looks more complex than my description.

Peter

[Allen Jenkins]

AntonioFP45, that's the photo of the week! Thanks for the Four-Oh Series pics, from EMD!
Enjoy Your Hobby!
ACJ.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Allen Jenkins

AntonioFP45, that's the photo of the week! Thanks for the Four-Oh Series pics, from EMD!
Enjoy Your Hobby! ACJ.

Thanks, and High Greens![swg][swg][swg][swg]

[SP4449]

That would be a great project. I like cowl units since there is plenty of room to get the stuff you want inside, motor, gears, and decoders. Also, not so much stuff on the outside to get messed up with handling, like handrails. Painting is easier as well. Good luck. [tup]

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SP4449

That would be a great project. I like cowl units since there is plenty of room to get the stuff you want inside, motor, gears, and decoders. Also, not so much stuff on the outside to get messed up with handling, like handrails. Painting is easier as well. Good luck. [tup]

Yep SP4449,

"Plenty of room" is exactly why I plan on installing DCC sound in my FP45s first. [;)] Won't have to worry about "milling" the frame like I will have to on the P2K E7s!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Check this out:
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/
Going to experiment with a little acrylic "Color Mixing". [;)]

Looks pretty close to Conrail blue, maybe a shade off, but close!

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kbfcsme
Looks pretty close to Conrail blue, maybe a shade off, but close!

Thanks Kbfcsme.

I hadn't even considered the Conrail blue! In studying the photos Conrail blue is pretty close. It will be a good starting point!

Thanks for the tip![:)][:D][8D][;)][tup]

[GDRMCo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C


It's a pity GDRMCo's photos didn't show (or least didn't to me). The PN-Q unit is painted like the Australian flag at about 30 degrees upward, with the (part) Union Jack coloured yellow rather than red to match PN house colours, and the "Southern Cross" and "States" stars rearranged to fit the body. It really is something to see, the basic colours being like the blue and yellow ATSF warbonnet, but ending in an angle rather than a parabola, with the white stripe of the St Andrews cross (or is it the white edging of the St George cross?) separating yellow and blue. It actually looks more complex than my description.

What photos? when?