Who's running FP45's?

[Anonymous]

I just found a few EMD FP45's and have been having a good time running them around my little test track. It seems these 6 axle jewels can pull about anything I throw at em. Made by Athearn, and in all of the road names I can find, they run just about as good as any I have. Double fly wheels do help.

Anyone else running something like this? Just curious.[:D]

John

[Anonymous]

Real or model? I have also 3 Athearn AT&SF FP45 - 2 in the original red/silver scheme and one in the SUPERFLEET red/silver!

It´s powerful and looks good!

In real the FP45 was ordered only by Milwaukee Road (5 units) and AT&SF (9 units).

In the early 1970 the AT&SF got the blue yellow freight warbonnet paint scheme and pull freight trains.
Rebuilt into SDFP45´s (optical in the first line nose modifications).
Exept one they were also painted as KODACHROMES.
The FP45´s were also the first older engines that became the new SUPERPOWER warbonnet paintscheme.

2 were scrapped, one (original #101) sold to Wisconsin Central, and the rest was donated in different museums

Two of the Milwaukee units were scrapped in 1981 The rest #2-4 ? Good question, I think they were also scrapped!

[AntonioFP45]

Nice to know you guys like my overall favorite diesel! [;)][:D]

I have one currently and am about to purchase a 2nd Santa Fe Warbonnet unit (Athearn). Brand new, out of the box it has the "infamous Growl".

I've cut out the side radiator grills and the fans on the top. Am installing "see thru" grills and fans. Plans are to re-engine with Mashima motor, precision flywheels, Soundtraxx decoder, speaker, gyra light, and "warm white" LED headlights. Along with the "Pearl Drops" treatment it should run much quieter. Only noise I want to hear is that of a turbocharged 645 series diesel, a bell, and a multi-chimed horn. Planning on purchasing a 2nd unit and performing the same.

My primary road that I'm modeling is the SCL in the late 60s in the black bumblebee scheme, but I've always liked the Santa Fe FP45s so much as well as their history that I will always find some type of reason to have them make appearances "here and there on my upcoming layout. I'm very glad that the wide cabs of modern EMDs resemble these units.

BTW: Accoriding to info on the TRAINS thread, the Wisconsin unit has been sold to a man that deals in reconditioning and leasing out units. MIlwaukee units were scrapped (why?? They weren't that old at the time! ).

I mentioned before that the Athearn units do look decent but I've been hoping that Proto, BLI, or Kato would produce one. I've always felt that since the SF FP45s were "special" they would sell

These were the first units repainted back into the red "Warbonnet" scheme for "SUPER FLEET" service, equipped with high speed gearing, used to pull the hotshot freight "SUPER C",and they were also the last units to pull the Santa Fe "SUPER CHIEF",) Stories of these units hitting 90mph speeds were common and in one instance the speeds were mentioned in either a TRAINS or MRR article. [:D][8D][;)][8)]

In the mid 1990s, however, more locomotive engineers reported not being very fond of running these cowls as they lacked good rearward visibility and in the 65-70 mph speed range, they rocked excessively on segments of the Santa Fe high speed lines. The rocking stopped when they were either running over or under this speed range.

Seven or eight of them are still in existence in museums. There are several websites with detailed info on these "Big Jacks". Just type in Santa Fe FP45 or Santa Fe subjects on your search engine.

Cheers, guys! [:)][:D][8D][8)]

[Anonymous]

I have one of the Life-Like "Delux Series" FP45s in B&O. My grandma bought it for me whan I was 7 or so. From this model I assume the "Delux Series" was a trial run for the "Proto 2000" Line that was started a few years later. It has a Can Motor. Fly Wheels Die Cast Frame. and an Early PC Board LED headlight system. Right now I am in the process of looking for the parts to rebuild it from the sufferings of my childhod antics. (All the steps and the front and rear pilots are missing. Interestingly though I kept the original box.) But when I get it fixed I wil have it head up a String of Life-Like Streamlined passenger cars for B&O.

Anyone else have the Life-Like FP45?

James

[michealfarley]

I have two FP45's that I reworked into SDP40F's and painted them in Amtrak schemes for my North Coast Hiawatha. They pull like everything. You can even weight the heck out of the shell if you like. I also have two F45's, one in BN and the other in GN Sky Blue. I love the look of the front ends on these locomotives. Just gives you a sense of power!

[AntonioFP45]

Gentlemen,

Please consider and do the following:

Go to the websites of: Broadway Limited, Kato, LifeLike(Proto), and Atlas. Once on the individual websites, E-Mail each company and tell them that you would like an FP45 produced. You can tell them why, and how the history of this unit is significant.

These companies actually consider customer input in addition to marketing sales statistics, so you would not be wasting your time.

MichaelFarley,

Good job on being able to convert your unit into one of the SDPs! Some modelers might not realize that there are very significant differences between these two cowl units. BTW: www.ASModels.com produces the SDP40f resin shell in HO scale.

Enjoy your cowl units!

Peace out, Amigos!

[dharmon]

An Athearn FP45 was my first "real" locomotive when I made the leap from Tyco and Life Like. I loved that thing. Todat I run one SDF40-2 (SDP40F) made from an FP45, 1 FP45 and have have another on the bench that I'm going to do something with. I love the big cowls.

[Anonymous]

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.

Could be something I'm not familiar with, but sure looks like one.

[dharmon]

I believe that the only original owners of the FP45s were ATSF and Milwaukee Road and ATSF, BN and GN for the F45s,

Montana Rail Link, WC, WSOR and Utah has F45/FP45s as second hand users. B&O may have considered it at one time...I don't know, but as far as I can tell, the B&O paint in a Athearnism.

[Nieuweboer]

I have an Athearn FP45, MIlwaukee # 1. that I didn't know what to do with (must have bought it cheap at a swap meet). I also had a monster of a canmotor that didn't fit any hood unit but the wide body FP45 took it without problem, so now I have a FP45 that weighs a ton and will pull anything put behind it and I still don't know what to do with it. Any ideas?

[dharmon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nieuweboer

I have an Athearn FP45, MIlwaukee # 1. that I didn't know what to do with (must have bought it cheap at a swap meet). I also had a monster of a canmotor that didn't fit any hood unit but the wide body FP45 took it without problem, so now I have a FP45 that weighs a ton and will pull anything put behind it and I still don't know what to do with it. Any ideas?

Send it to me..[:)]

[Anonymous]

BigBoy 4515, I have a great big ole FP45 in the OLD MILWAUKEE road name in UP colors. Gota bout 3 of 'm. I really like the size of this brute and will have no problem keeping them and running them. Pulls like a mad beast.

Only thing I don't care for about it is the changing of the coupler.

[Anonymous]

dharmon, try not to be as greedy as me, OK?? HeHeHE

[Morpar]

I am in the midst of shortening a DD40 frame to fit under an FP45 shell. I have seen pictures of an SD45 with the DD trucks under it that EMD had built for a South American line at www.northeastrailfan.net . I figured why not do the same with the "wide 45"? I need to get another F or FP45 shell, as I would like to add a fourth fan and radiator grille to make it an FP45X. I have shots of the SD45X, which was basically an SD45 on steroids. 4250 h.p., and 4 radiator fans, but otherwise a regular SD45. Unfortunately, my LHS has no more F or FP45 shells, and strangely enough, he doesn't expect any more! Any suggestions on who still has shells in stock would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Nice to know you guys like my overall favorite diesel! [;)][:D]

Plans are to re-engine with Mashima motor, precision flywheels, Soundtraxx decoder, speaker, gyra light, and "warm white" LED headlights. Along with the "Pearl Drops" treatment it should run much quieter. Only noise I want to hear is that of a turbocharged 645 series diesel, a bell, and a multi-chimed horn. Planning on purchasing a 2nd unit and performing the same.

Antonio
Dont forget to re-wheel the thing too! NWSL make great nickel-silver replacement wheels that run much quieter and much cleaner than the stock Athearn wheels. I've used them for years in my favorite Athearn "big cowls", PA-1's![:D][:D][:D]

[AntonioFP45]

Kbfcsme

Thanks for the tip on the wheels. Will do it. Since I'm going through all the effort of upgrading these units for optimum performance, might as well go for the best!

[Anonymous]

I want an FP45 really bad! Anyone know were I can get one at a fair price?

[AggroJones]

I would be running a crunked up Athearn SF blue F45, if I could find one. But it seems hopeless. These cowls are very appealling. They remind me of a cross between E units and later Geeps.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it looks like a DDA40X cab on a GP60M body with cowling and 6 axles.

[METRO]

I saw some FP45s on eBay last week, really really cheap too. Also if you're ever in the Milwaukee area, I found a shop there last week near Southridge Mall that had 4 of em. I haven't found any stores in Toronto with em, but I'll keep an eye out.

I actually chose to run P42s and rebuilds of first gen Alcos on my freelance commuter line instead of FP45s. It was nothing against the big units but was more of a nod to Metro North and Long Island which are two of my favorite commuter lines.

I would also bet that Athern would be the most likely to do another production run of FP45s as they still probably have the shell tooling. They'd probably run it in their RTR line and double the price though.

[Anonymous]

Metro, it is an Engineering phenaomena for the modeling world to imitate the real world.

With an engine of this type, it favours us modelers. More room for engines (motors) that will allow us to run almost the prototype of the Engine in question.

Say what you will, Athearn really hit the head of the nail with this one in my book.

I would welcome another run, if Athearn chose to do one.

[Anonymous]

Just think of how awesome it'd be if they did an FP45/F45 in their Genesis line! Of course, the price would be, well, up there..............$$$$$$$$

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Gentlemen,

Please consider and do the following:

Go to the websites of: Broadway Limited, Kato, LifeLike(Proto), and Atlas. Once on the individual websites, E-Mail each company and tell them that you would like an FP45 produced. You can tell them why, and how the history of this unit is significant.

How about e-mailing Athearn and telling them to do it in there RTR or Genesis line?[?]

[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!

[AggroJones]

If they declined the Genesis version, mabey Athearn will do it the RTR line. This way, they won't need to retool one. With better paint and enhanced detaling over the regular bluebox. Should be pretty sweet.

[Anonymous]

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

[AntonioFP45]

4884BigBoy,

This is exactly what I was talking about! Great!!!!!!!

I still have the copies of the e-mails from 2003 as well as this year that I've sent before with the same old "bland answer" from Athearn! [B)]

Apparently, I might have been the only one, or one of a few suggesting to Athearn about upgrading these "Big Jacks". As I stated before I even included the Santa Fe's FP45 history to them.

Apparently your letter, along with others on this Forum might have made the difference! I'm sure too that Athearn is still going to conduct marketing research to see if retooled "Cowl" units would sell. As a result of your letter I'm going to e-mail Athearn again and include your name and comments. Hopefully I'll get the same or similar answer as you did! Thanks for doing it! [:)][:D][8D][;)]

Those of you reading this thread should take just a few minutes to go to Athearn's website, click on the "Customer Service" icon and when the e-mail box opens up, let Athearn know that you want to see these sleek brutes upgraded and that you would purchase them, even if it means layaway!

4884BigBoy, I sincerely salute you! [4:-)][tup]

[Anonymous]

[:D][:I] Well, I'm quite flatered, Antonio.[:)] I really hope Athearn considers re-introducing the FP45/F45. If more people e-mail them, who knows............[;)]

[AntonioFP45]

4884BigBoy and other "Big Jacks" fans

Check out this link: [swg][tup]

http://archive.trainpix.com/ATSF/EMDORIG/FP45

When you get to the sight, click on the yellow numbers and you'll see some very good shots of the prototypes! I've downloaded about 15 photos and use them as my computer's wallpaper. There is also a "Thumbnail" photo section too. [C):-)]

What do think?

Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

My first loco I bought since I was a kid was the Athearn FP-45 diesel for passenger service about 3 years ago. I could not resist the looks and cowl that were captured on that model. I took it home with some HO tracks and made an oval on a desk. I spent Halloween night putting the handrails and stanchions on the loco. The FP-45 roared around the track pulling the two freight cars I got. Yes, its GROWLS! I don't mind it at all though, I think Athearn makes a great product. Now I do understand that this model does not have the see-thru moldings on the shell as a Genesis series or Life Like P2K would, I would love Athearn to make another run with the detail found on their Genesis line F-7's!!

Tom M.




I have often thought of getting a passenger consist from Walthers, but I've held off with each car over $30.