Who's running FP45's?

[Morpar]

Sorry guys, but I would just as soon Athearn left the F/FP45 alone as retool it for the Genesis line. I personally don't see where we as modelers would gain anything. If they do anything to the dies, I would like them to remove the molded on grab irons, but leave the mounting points for easier drilling. I would much rather buy 2-3 $30-40 locos as opposed to 1 $120 unit. As for the finer grilles, fans, etc. for the price of 1 Genesis you could buy 2 regular Blue Box, and all the details to trick them out! And in the process have exactly the loco you want, plus the enjoyment of making "your" loco. The other bonus to leaving well enough alone boils down to us kitbashers. I can justify cutting up a Blue Box loco to get what I want, but with the price of a Genesis? No way !! I am still working right now on a modified FP45 that I will have very little in. I modified an old DD40 chassis to fit the FP45 shell, detailed the DD trucks, and added an extra radiator fan and grille in place of the steam generator to simulate an SD45X as a cowl unit. Including the monster Sagami can motor at $40, I will have less than $80 in it when all done. Plus the hours of "relaxation" I get. I would thus humbly suggest that instead of encouraging the manufacturers to continue to raise the prices, we look back at what we can do for ourselves and what we actually need to have done. While the quality is wonderful, I for one think we are missing the whole point of modeling. It shouldn't be just about buying things, but making something better or different. I personally have purchased WAY more undecorated equipment than decorated. In fact, the last time I bought a decorated locomotive, it was with the intention of stripping it and redoing it! Now that I have that off my chest I will shut up now!! Enjoy...

[AntonioFP45]

Morpar,[:)]

You stated your points quite well and a few years back I would have agreed 100%, but here's why I have to disagree with you. [;)]

Statistically (and for me too) many adult modelers and some youth today have FAR LESS spare time on their hands then the adult modelers of the 1970s & 80s did. Consider that many modelers and railfans today are:

[1] Working two jobs
[2] Working three jobs
[3] Working & attending school
[4] Single parents with kids
[5] Working & involved in Church or Community Activities
[6] Professionals with very long work hours
[7] Have Traditional Families with parents involved in their kids' school and/or civic activities

Yes, this was true "back in the day", but now the numbers of people in these categories have more than tripled since then.

I strongly criticized the detailed RTR type of stuff for the same reasons that you've listed. I had also "ignorantly" assumed that modelers were just being "LAZY" UNTIL I became a member of one of the above categories! All of a sudden I had to put my foot in my mouth when I discovered that I had "very little modeling time" which I found frustrating. I then learned from a computer industry professional that modelers with little spare time on their hands had been making demands for detailed RTR equipment for years. Manufacturers of course, were happy to oblige once they realized that "Limted Runs" would lock in sales. The sticker shock came along with upgrades. [:0][8)]

Just a few years ago I enjoyed cutting up and super detailing locomotives. However, my Santa Fe FP45, along with my Metroliners and Model Power E-units have been sitting on my table several months collecting dust waiting for "see thru" grills, radiator fans, MU hoses, etc.,. Plus I'm ready to build an around the wall type of HO layout. I'm 40 and don't want to wait til I'm 50 to have a nice looking fleet of locomotives running on a layout. I'm glad that I can purchase a P2K E-unit with a working Mars light, weather it, and put it in service. As I pointed out on another thread, some of the quality RTR locomotives that are 2 or 3 years old now sells on the internet for just a little higher price as BlueBox Athearn units. [8D]

Retooling the FP45 unit will definetly make it more expensive, but modelers with time constraints would likely appreciate it. For youth and people on a budget (like me) many shops offer layaway plans. Consider also that the current Athearn FP45 body has been unchanged since 1976, it's time for a makeover! [C):-)][C=:-)][:P]

Cheers!

[Anonymous]

The unit that was sold to the Wisconsin and Southern (WSOR) was sold to Montana Rail Link. Seems the tracks of the WSOR couldn't take that large a unit. BAck in 199 or 2000 I found the WSOR unit in Livingston, Montana still in its WSOR paint awaiting its turn at the Livingston Rebuild Center. I am fairly sure that by now it is earning its keep on the MRL.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Hello 4884BigBoy,

I've e-mailed Athearn already. Their response was: "We have no plans to upgrade the FP45 to the Genesis line at this time. Thank you" - Athearn Customer Service.

If Athearn or any of the other maufacturers get enough input from customers and hobby shop dealers, they'll reconsider. There main concern is "recouping on their tooling and marketing investment" which nowadays is a lot of dough!

Strange, Antonio. I e-mailed Athearn, and this was the response I got:


Hello Athearn! I'm a 13 year old HO model railroader, a regular on the
><http://www.trains.com>www.trains.com Modelrailroader Magazine forums,
who
>would like to make a comment.
>
>So, me and my forum buddys were thinking, you guys should re-introduce
the
>FP45/F45! We all know you guys made an FP45 and an F45 back in the
day,
>but now they're really hard to find (and quite out of date). So, why
don't
>you guys improve the motoring (if it needs to be), detail it a little
>more, give it a nice, bright headlight, and put it on the market! This
>model would do great, I know it. I'm a 1950s UP modeler, personally,
but I
>love this brute, and I know others do, too. The FP45 and F45 were
great
>looking diesels, as well as powerful. You can offer them in Santa Fe
>Warbonnet, ATSF Warnonnet, Santa Fe Superfleet, B&O, BNSF, BN, etc.
Every
>road that had them.
>
>Well, I hope you guys consider this, I know this loco would do great.
>Thanks for reading this, and you guys keep coming out with great
stuff.
>Can't wait for your Challenger! :D
>
>Jonathon, MI

Jonathon,

Thank-you for taking the time to send in your suggestions regarding our
F45
and FP45 models. We will forward your ideas on to the Product
Development
Group.



Best regards,

Athearn, Inc.
www.athearn.com

Hmmm................[?]

I think it helps that you mentioned that you were 13.

[Anonymous]

I won't be running F(P)45's but I might have soem GP40FH-2's (F45's with a GP40 cab and engine and HEP).

[Morpar]

After re-reading my earlier post I kind of dropped the ball on my thoughts. I really don't care if Athearn wants to make a Genesis version of ALL their locos, just so long as they keep the Blue Box line also. I actually fit 3-4 of the reasons that so many people have jumped on the R-T-R bandwagon, and if that suits them, great, cool, welcome to the club, enjoy your selves! To me, making something in my little bit of spare time is the reward unto itself, so if it takes longer, so much the better! I actually do own some R-T-R stuff, but I bought them to use, not to build. My only real concern is that the "fodder" will disappear, and me and all the other wackos will be out of luck on having stuff to "improve" (butcher as my wife calls it!) our modeling with. I honestly can't imagine taking a pair of $120 locos and cutting them up to make 1 loco! That would just be way to much for me to consider, let alone afford. The other concern gets into the effects on new modelers. I'm 36, with a wife, 3 kids, 2 cats, 2 dogs, a house, and about 9 acres of property to take care of, so I don't have anything even close to an unlimited modeling budget. In fact, I have always had a very limited budget, so I can appreciate what younger modelers face. They may be trying to step into a better quality product than what they have now (mine was Tyco way back when), but there are very few intermediate steps. It seems like all the new HO locos are at least $150. How can a teenager, or anyone else on limited funds for that matter, afford that? I am afraid that by pushing for the better detailed, more expensive equipment, we as modelers may be our own undoing. Who will be the next generation of modelers if they can't afford to model? I know I don't want my kids to use my BLI "A", but one of my old Athearn F7 sets is okay. Which of those is an 11 year old more likely to be able to afford and thus take pride in? Just my warped thoughts, take it for what it's worth. Although, if there were an undecorated Genesis F45, I might have to take a closer look.......

[AntonioFP45]

[#ditto][swg][tup]

Cheers and 10-4 in "Run 8"!

[AntonioFP45]

Well guys, 4884BigBoy. I just received an update:[;)]

I e-mailed Athearn on May 30th regarding the F45/FP45 suggesting the updating to the Genesis line. I even attached several prototype photos, including a beautiful shot of two units in the Santa Fe "Dark Blue" scheme (non-Warbonnet) which Athearn had never offered. I received a reply from Athearn June 1st.

Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 5:32 PM
Subject: Re: Products Development Group Suggestion

Antonio,

Thank-you for taking the time to send in your suggestion. Please note that we do not have any plans to "upgrade" our F-45/FP45 into a Genesis series model. We will forward your suggestions and comments on to the Product Development Group.

Best regard,

Athearn, Inc.
www.athearn.com

Well, guess I'm going to have to make time and continue to "slice and dice" my unit. Hopefully either someone like Atlas or Kato will produce one in the future. It is interesting that LifeLike made one (poorly detailed). Would be neat if they retooled it into the Proto 2000 line! I think I'll send them an e-mail. It's a "Zip in the dark", but there's nothing to lose!

10-4 amigos and e-mail the manufactuers!

[Anonymous]

Check out my refurbished FP45 unit (labeled UP 1340) at

http://www.clarkjim.com/engrost.htm

The story behind my acquisition of this unit is also there. A beat-up old unit that appealed to me, so I undertook to rebuild and repair it. MicroMark's $19.00 motor perfectly matched the original motor and works perfectly.

I'm NOW looking for front and rear deck handrails and stanchions. Walthers doesn't list them for this unit.

Anyone know where I can find them?

BTW, I'm a new member here. Jim

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by norboy

Did B&O ever run one of these engines? I have a box from Athearn and the shell that is decorated in B&O. Sure looks like a FP45...

B&O never had any FP45's. In those days before Atlas, Kato and P2K, Athearn had a habit of throwing just about any paint scheme on any of their locos if they thought somebody might buy it - I remember when I was 13, I bought one of their DD40's in the B&O scheme[:D]

[SSW9389]

Additional thoughts on FP45s. Six of the Santa Fe units are preserved in Museums. Two were wrecked and scrapped and the one Wisconsin Central had went to Larry's Truck and Equipment and was scrapped.

There was an Illinois Central order for five FP45s that was cancelled.

I personally own a pair of Athearn FP45s used for my San Francisco Chief. I also have a pair of F45s in Santa Fe, one Yellow Bonnet and one Cigar Band and another for BN and one for GN. Guess they are popular on my rails.

[Anonymous]

I dont think the B&O ever had FP45's I have two of them which will be upgraded to DCC and Sound. At the moment I am rebuilding them to run well together.

[BRVRR]

Hi guys,
I have one Athearn FP45 in the red and silver Warbonnet. It was the first new engine I bought when I got back into model railroading a few years ago. I installed a Digitrax DH123 originally, since changed to a DH163. It pulls a ton and navigates the BRVRR without problems. Even the 18"-radius curves in the yard and sidings. Love it. I want to add a couple more to my roster. Probably convert them to the BRVRR livery.
There is a photo of my FP45 on my website. Link is in my signature. Once there pu***he "Modern Diesels" button.

[espeefoamer]

I have an Athearn FP45,Milwaukee Road,and an F45,Wisconsin Central.I have two other FP45s,not Athearn,but I don't know the manufacturer.One is a Santa Fe warbonnet, the other is a PRR in Brunswick green.I know Pennsy never had any FP45s,but it looks cool[8D]!

[Anonymous]

i'm still running my FP45 in ATSF warbonnet.!!! noticed that trainworld is now out of them...does athearn still make em?

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LGBFan123

i'm still running my FP45 in ATSF warbonnet.!!! noticed that trainworld is now out of them...does athearn still make em?

Athearn is not currently producing FP45s.

On the good news side, there have been a bunch of these for sale on e-bay. I now have five, plus a spare body shell so if modelers want them seriously enough they can keep checking ebay. Don't jump the gun and overpay for one though! I may be mistaken, but $40 new and $30 used in (good shape) has been the average.

You FP45 fans, as I suggested before, e-mail Athearn, LIfe Like, Atlas, Kato and let them know you would like to see an updated one produced with detailing and see thru grills. They do look at customer input!

BTW: Pennsy and B&O never owned these big cowls. Illinois Central ordered some and cancelled when they got a sweet deal on some E-units that were in good shape.

Peace![:D]

[camarokid]

I have one FP45 in Milwaukee Road yellow. It reminds me of when my grandfather worked for them.
Archie

[AntonioFP45]

Good Camarokid,

If I'm not mistaken, Milwaukee Road had five of them. I've seen photos of #1 and number #3 in the yellow Union Pacific style paint scheme the Milwaukee used for a while on certain passenger units.

Cheers!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Good Camarokid,

If I'm not mistaken, Milwaukee Road had five of them. I've seen photos of #1 and number #3 in the yellow Union Pacific style paint scheme the Milwaukee used for a while on certain passenger units.

Cheers!

Yup, MILW had 5. For a time they were in the UP style paint scheme, but then they were painted into good 'ole MILW Orange and Maroon.

[Anonymous]

Found this FP45 on ebay last Christmas and picked it up for $5.00. The frame was cracked and one of the motor mounts was broken. It had a motor but it didn't work. I repaired the frame and motor mount, added a DCC card, and last week found front and rear railings and a few other enhancements for it from Arrow Online. Read its complete story and get another pic of it on my website loco roster page at:

http://www.clarkjim.com/engrost.htm

With its new motor (from Micro Mark at $19.00) and general overhaul it runs smoothly and reliably. Its a great little powerhouse this full cowl loco. It came with UP markings; UP never received any of the original production, but may have leased or purchased used. jim

[Anonymous]

Ooops! I forgot to post the pic I promised: Here goes my first try: