Brass SD45 Production samples

Nice brass, Matt.

Mine will have paint on them

Matt,

C&NW SD45 don't have dynamic brakes.

Yes some of them did. I don't see a bell on the nose of any of those locomotives so that would mean none of those are Chicago Northwestern units. The SD45s that the CNW ordered new did not have dynamics but they got a bunch second hand off Conrail that did have dynamics

Matt Makens posted:

Yes some of them did. I don't see a bell on the nose of any of those locomotives so that would mean none of those are Chicago Northwestern units. The SD45s that the CNW ordered new did not have dynamics but they got a bunch second hand off Conrail that did have dynamics

You are correct, when C&NW got second hands from BN and Conrail, they disabled dynamics.

Wish I was rich, they sure are pretty.  Eye candy.

I'm not rich and was able to get two. Erik is really solid guy and his ability to bring this project to life is impressive to say the least. I'm very excited for the SD40-2s

I was a skeptic.  Delighted to see it is actually going to happen!

A few more shots. Erik with his builder Mr. Song. The trucks have a three piece traction motors.

Sheesh!  SD45, SD45-2, SDP45, SD40T-2 Snoot, SD45T-2.

Can't go wrong with any of those!!

I was definitely stunned by the level of detail....the photos don't do them justice. 

I saw Erik's custom drive at the Indy show several years ago and thought it was superb! Now seeing these pics of the bodies that will mate with the drive, makes these absolutely fantastic. I'm glad to see these samples. Thanks for posting the pics!

They will even have traction motors in them 

 I'm going to add a congrats to anyone getting anyone of these. They do look great.

I wish I could even just get those cooling grates on the tunnel motors. I could use them on a G scale build I'm doing. Nice detailing.

in a word, unbelievable. 

Dick

Very Nice!  I wish for a Espee SD-45X, I hope you will make one some day.

mobyduck posted:

Very Nice!  I wish for a Espee SD-45X, I hope you will make one some day.

Oh in your dreams buddy. from Freddy Hanosa  aka froggy

He is and he just told me he might have one you can get if you email him

Matt: Thanks for the photos and I am very glad you are getting a fine piece or ART. SD45 production delivery is looking to be around January 2018. Erik is machining the drive and the final assembly most likely be done overseas. The first photo of the pilot samples is the Santa Fe. The motors for each of the fans  are slightly larger the an pencil eraser. The photos of the truck do not have the brake cylinders in installed yet. The model as anticipated has gone further than any model to date with never before fully modeled trucks, 3D modeled screens, actual modeled traction motors, working fan speeds that will coincide the speed notch of the locomotive, working louvers on the tunnel motor versions, step lights, and even a high end drive that runs and concealed in the model, etc.  A "FIRST CLASS" diesel with all the right stuff!   KUDOS TO ERIK on a job well done so far!!!!!!!  Well worth the wait to have a model as good as this.       

Stephen

Brass IS Class!

Out if curiosity, who's the builder? Is it a new one? I'd buy a Q GP7 if the offer them.

He told me but I forget it's a Dream World or something to that effect. Dream is mo definitely the first word. 

The builder is the Asian gentleman on the right in the photos above

Very impressive, DCC, Sound?

No DCC or sound, he has a remote control lighting system that is pretty impressive that uses an AC injector to the rail to activate the digital lighting control. I asked him about DCC and he didn't put DCC in it because he is trying to keep the price point at $2700. DCC would add a few hundred bucks to that. Mine are both getting LOKSound

Was there any mention of the proposed Norfolk Southern '' Heritage'' locomotives?

Beautiful locomotives and Erik's work is state of the art to say the least.  I'd certainly justify an SD45 demo shelf queen but he isn't doing them due to the lack of interest in the unique L-window cab. 

Of course I'd entertain the Reading version but once again the dual control cab is a one off. 

Lucky me, my wallet is safe from this project. 

Theyre on the list of things to do but the SD40-2 is up next. That much Im sure of

Matt Makens posted:

No DCC or sound, he has a remote control lighting system that is pretty impressive that uses an AC injector to the rail to activate the digital lighting control. I asked him about DCC and he didn't put DCC in it because he is trying to keep the price point at $2700. DCC would add a few hundred bucks to that. Mine are both getting LOKSound

Matt,

A couple others told me on Sunday that if you open the locomotive you void the warranty, does that only include the traction motors, gearboxes, or is that also removing the body from the chassis to install DCC/Sound?   Didn't sound right to me, but perhaps you discussed with Erik to clarify and provide an accurate statement around install of DCC/Sound and the warranty?

nw2124 posted:

Matt: Thanks for the photos and I am very glad you are getting a fine piece or ART. SD45 production delivery is looking to be around January 2018. Erik is machining the drive and the final assembly most likely be done overseas. The first photo of the pilot samples is the Santa Fe. The motors for each of the fans  are slightly larger the an pencil eraser. The photos of the truck do not have the brake cylinders in installed yet. The model as anticipated has gone further than any model to date with never before fully modeled trucks, 3D modeled screens, actual modeled traction motors, working fan speeds that will coincide the speed notch of the locomotive, working louvers on the tunnel motor versions, step lights, and even a high end drive that runs and concealed in the model, etc.  A "FIRST CLASS" diesel with all the right stuff!   KUDOS TO ERIK on a job well done so far!!!!!!!  Well worth the wait to have a model as good as this.       

Stephen

Brass IS Class!

Final assembly back at the factory seems the most practical approach to this project all things considered. JMO

I discussed these points in depth with Erik. The models drive has a life time warranty. If you disassemble the drive gear box you will void the warranty. I have also discussed interfacing with the lighting board and with the fan motors on the loco. As I have not seen the loco yet I do not know how the install will go but I have a couple of strong ideas of the path I want to take to get the functionality I will want as well and utilize all the features of the locomotive.

Final assembly at the factory is not an option. The motor and drive will go in here in the US but the gear boxes in the trucks will be assembled in Korea

These look really good. Unfortunately it wasn't in my budget. I'll have to live vicariously through Matt M.

Matt, I'll be sure to send you photos and videos when I get them. Heck if you have a place to run em I might bring em out when I visit San Diego 

Matt Makens posted:

I discussed these points in depth with Erik. The models drive has a life time warranty. If you disassemble the drive gear box you will void the warranty. I have also discussed interfacing with the lighting board and with the fan motors on the loco. As I have not seen the loco yet I do not know how the install will go but I have a couple of strong ideas of the path I want to take to get the functionality I will want as well and utilize all the features of the locomotive.

Matt,

That makes a lot more sense, and certainly understandable on the drive gear box.  I couldn't see how you could void the warranty removing the body from the chassis.

I mentioned this and as long as you dont mess with the motor and gear box youre alright.

Matt,  Definitely great to hear!  Once these arrive definitely interested in your take on DCC installation!   May jump in on a future model.

Well, I've already got the Loksound decoders for them and a collection of speakers to see which ones will work the best. This may be the most thought out and planned decoder install ever

Mike, I saw your table with the piles of high end brass how come you didnt get on the MMW train and order some of these?

Sometimes that works against you... Too much time.. LOL!

Long story on Erik's models.  Was there and cancelled.  As mentioned in other threads.  I still support his work and wish him the best.  Will jump back in on future models.