On Thursday, after the only day that I had to work this past week, I stopped on the way home at The Train Station in Columbus, Ohio and spent some of my Christmas money on a new Amtrak SDP40F from Athearn. I got the DC version since I don't have DCC on my layout. Since it is my first new locomotive since Christmas 1997 when I got two of the Athearn P40s and since it was 35 years since I got the Athearn FP45 in Amtrak Phase I paint for Christmas 1982, I decided to make a video of the new locomotive. I give a quick look at the history of Amtrak's diesel fleet, the history of the Amtrak locomotives on my layouts, and a look at the new SDP40F, including a side-by-side comparison of it and the 35-year old FP45 that it is replacing as well as runbys around the layout. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
Kevin
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Wow, they look alike except for a duller red on the nose of the 35 year old FP45, just kidding.
I've wanted a pair of the Amtrak SDP40F since I road the San Francisco Zephyr as a teen back in the 1970's. Athearn has announced 3 runs so far and no San Francisco Zephyr version for me yet, so the wait continues. I'll wait since for the price, I'd like to buy it with the ice breakers already installed and road numbers typical of the SFZ.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Thank you for your post.
Athearn's model is excellent! So glad that Athearn produced the flat-nosed version first.I have many fond memories of seeing these giants in action almost daily during the mid to late 70's (even got a cab ride on #632). They hauled the LD trains on the east coast until 1982.
I'm getting two of them, both non-sound. I plan on installing Loksound decoders. Although the Tsunami-2 decoder has some nice features, I was very impressed with Loksound's sound scheme for the SDP40F, especially the horn (which has a nice reverb to it, just like the prototypes that I remember).
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Kudos to Athearn for producing this model!!!
It looks great and runs great!