Hi, everyone
I was under the impression that Athearn was going to announce details on the proposed HO Amtrak SDP40F at the recent NMRA show.
https://www.facebook.com/AthearnModelTrains/posts/10152184625735041
Did anyone catch any updated information on this long-awaited locomotive? I just saw an Overland one sell on ebay for over $900
Regards, Ed
Good, we need one It about time Athearn re-released that model in DCC Ready/DCC installed. I think Amtrak fans who model Amtrak's first decade will be thrilled.
Ed,Oddly enough, that $900 Overland SDP40F was sold by a friend of mine. I showed him the Athearn FB page and told him he should sell his brass version ASAP. He agreed, mainly because he only had one. Now with $900 in his pocket, he can get three of the Athearn ones...with sound. Nice!
Paul A. Cutler III
Hi, Paul
That's a nice return on the Overland model. Overland seems to hold their value well and their name to have that certain cachet.
I frequently see "cashing-in" when a manufacturer announces a model that will be produced en masse. Saw it with the BLI Centipedes, Sharks and now the NYC "Commodore Vanderbilt" Hudson.
These are the vagaries of the marketplace. Glad your friend came out on the plus side!
Hi Crew!
Was a good feeling to find out that the HO SDP40F is not vapoware! Athearn is working to get it (and the variations) right, so the rep asks that we be patient!
That certainly is impressive looking tooling (looks like a flat-nosed version)!
Here's a preproduction shot I received by my friend Andre. Photo was taken by the person named in the cab area.
FLAT NOSED VERSION! Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Thanks Athearn!
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
So Athearn is making the second version #540-649.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
I suspect Athearn will make ALL versions of the SDP40F.
Including BNSF.
Ed
You're right! Just got this photo by Andre. Looking at the porch rails, beacon light on the cab roof, and A/C unit there's no doubt that this is a Santa Fe SDF40-2! (pre-notched nose). By the way guys.............NO INANDESCENT BULBS! They will come with LED lights! Athearn really is stepping up their game 8-)
7j43k I suspect Athearn will make ALL versions of the SDP40F. Including BNSF. Ed
I suspect Athearn will make ALL versions of the SDP40F. Including BNSF.
Antonio,I talked with Athearn at the Springfield show, and they said they'll be doing all the versions; Amtrak flat nose & pointed, then the two (or is it three?) different post-Amtrak pilots.
I held the shell in my hand and I'm impressed. However, I'm no SDP40F expert (see above). But the quality of the tooling looks great. My Amtrak buddy (the one that sold the Overland one above) was drooling all over it.
At the rate things are going, sounds like these not be in our hands until 2018 (available to buy is usually about 12 months after the "official" announcement", which hasn't appeared yet in the monthly announcments.
That said, great news about the LED lights and I'll be in for a pair; always wanted a pair since I was a teen and road the San Francisco Zephy twice in the mid-1970's.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
We already have one in N scale, now we need the HO version!
It's coming.
Paul3 Antonio,I talked with Athearn at the Springfield show, and they said they'll be doing all the versions; Amtrak flat nose & pointed, then the two (or is it three?) different post-Amtrak pilots.
I looked at some pictures of the SDF40-2 of the Santa Fe and BNSF. I noticed that they don't have installed ditch lights.
If the models are going to exact. This is a detail that is not needed.
Paul,
You certainly can say ..."I know people.". Thanks for that info.
You've always had a very good eye for detail. Don't forget that years ago you corrected me on a thread and pointed out the differences between the SDP40f and FP45 (which I still appreciate).
I do hope that we'll be able to hear a "sound demo" on line. I'm certain that the prime mover "music" will be correct since it's a 645E3, but I'm hoping that Athearn is aware that in addition to the Leslie S4T/SL4T horns, a good number of the units were re-equipped with the Nathan P5a.
Paul3 Antonio,I talked with Athearn at the Springfield show, and they said they'll be doing all the versions; Amtrak flat nose & pointed, then the two (or is it three?) different post-Amtrak pilots. I held the shell in my hand and I'm impressed. However, I'm no SDP40F expert (see above). But the quality of the tooling looks great. My Amtrak buddy (the one that sold the Overland one above) was drooling all over it.
AntonioFP45I do hope that we'll be able to hear a "sound demo" on line. I'm certain that the prime mover "music" will be correct since it's a 645E3, but I'm hoping that Athearn is aware that in addition to the Leslie S4T/SL4T horns, a good number of the units were re-equipped with the Nathan P5a.
Which begs the question...
Who's sound decoder will be installed?? Athearn recently offered ESU Loksound in some UP Steam
gmpullmanI frequently see "cashing-in" when a manufacturer announces a model that will be produced en masse. Saw it with the BLI Centipedes, Sharks and now the NYC "Commodore Vanderbilt" Hudson.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I sent Athearn a question, asking if the decoder will be the Soundtraxx Tsunami, or Loksound Select.
I thought that it was going to be Tsunami, but I've been reading "rumors" on the web that the decoder may actually be an ESU Loksound setup (due to the LED lighting). But I'd rather get the facts from the source instead of playing guessing games.
Worse come to worse, I can aim for a non-sound version and equip it with a Loksound V4.0, which provides excellent motor control. Loksound's latest sound schemes are impressive! However, I don't want to write Soundtraxx off yet since, reportedly, improvements have been made that are nothing to sneeze at.
Finally!
And not a very long wait until delivery, either!
http://www.athearn.com/newsletter/022417/01_GEN_SDP40F_030317.pdf
Well, I am glad that they are listening to their customer base about lightbulbs vs LEDs.
The down side to the recent official annoucement it the models will be availble a lot sooner than I was expecting so it will be even more financially challenging to get ready for. Normally items Athearn annoucnces are about 12 months out (give or take) and this model is about 5 months out assuming there are no delays, which will be a good thing.
NILEAthearn has announced the SDP40F, the email only shows phase 1. Is there any info out there if Athearn is going to release a phase 2 paint job?
Of course they will. They will do these critters in every possible version, including BNSF. Which I will be buying. Along with two from this run.
riogrande5761 The down side to the recent official annoucement it the models will be availble a lot sooner than I was expecting so it will be even more financially challenging to get ready for. Normally items Athearn annoucnces are about 12 months out (give or take) and this model is about 5 months out assuming there are no delays, which will be a good thing.
Well, I guess there's a "Debbie Downer" in every crowd! We usually complain about the long waiting time on new models and finallly a "quickie". That's probably an optimistic guess on delivery date, anyway.
Update: The sound version will be equipped with a factory Soundtraxx Tsu. decoder. I'm now debating as to whether I should preorder a pair of non-sound versions and plan to install LokSound V4.0 decoder or wait to hear a sound equipped version.
I know that Soundtraxx has, reportedly, made some improvements. I did suggest that we give them a chance on a previous thread. But very smooth motor control is one of my sticking points and LokSound has certainly proven itself.
On the other hand does ESU LokSound have the Leslie S4T/SL4T horn scheme available? I definitely want that sweet music maker (as well as the Nathan P5a, which replaced a significant number of those Leslies).
I sent Loksound a message asking if they have that horn scheme available.
We've got a few months to get more information, but for now I"m going to budget for two, one with and one without sound.
Hi guys, here's an update with posts from Soundtraxx and ESU Loksound:
From Soundtraxx:
To help all of you to make an informed choice on this matter, our sound equipped SDP40F will come with two tuned high-bass speakers, the correct horns and two custom mixed 645-16 turbo sound files. When double-heading two of these, you may want to choose the alternate sound file in one of the units to avoid sound phase cancelling. (This feature is an Athearn exclusive and also available in our 567 Tsunami 2 sound equipped units.) We hope this helps,Janek and TomAthearn
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From ESU Loksound:
ESU will be producing a SPECIFIC soundfile for the new Athearn SDP40Fs. They will have the proper sounds… And Full Throttle of course!We are well aware of the locos as we have already produced a file for the Kato N Scale version.The Athearn version also will be set up for the lighting as it is produced.Best Regards,Matt HermanESU LLC
Hi guys,
forgot to mention that, believe it or not, a few of the SDP40fs did receive Nathan K5LA horns! This was argued on another forum a few years back, however the catch was that I witnessed it. The horns were still arranged in the 3-2 split like the P5a.
Back in 1980, I tape recorded an SDP40F with a K5LA (yes, I used a clunky ghetto blaster! No cell phones around back then, LOL ). My regret is that I didn't have my SLR camera with me that day. I was on the A-line (east of Tampa Union Station) waiting to see the the northbound Silver Star cruise by when I heard the horn. I pushed the "Record" button. I remember thinking "Oh, it's one of those new F40Ph's." But I was surprised when I saw a 600 series unit approaching! I think it was #618 (not sure, it's been so long). I still have that recording and I think both of those units, freshly painted into Phase III, had K5La's. I do remember that the other giants I saw regularly (632, 627, 628, 644) still had either their Nathan P5A's or Leslie S4T's.
I realize that it's just my memory, recording, and my word. But of that unique sounding horn, I'm very sure of!
AntonioFP45 We are well aware of the locos as we have already produced a file for the Kato N Scale version.
We are well aware of the locos as we have already produced a file for the Kato N Scale version.
I would like to get sound for locomotives. Do you know when that will be released or already have?