Can someone tell me what trucks are on this SP SP45?

I posted this link on your other DS45 thread and just now saw this thread so here it is again:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/rrpa_...005%202010-12-25.JPG

Note the as-delivered "L-shaped" engineer's cab front window.

@Engineer-Joe posted:

I can't figure out why Atlas put these different side frames on this model. I need to find out more about the prototype.

When I search for pictures of the real engine, the pictures show a different truck design.

https://ogrforum.com/topic/new-atlas-sd45

It has been suggested that they are GE trucks!

No, they are NOT "GE trucks", but for some odd reason the journal boxes have been changed from the original EMD JMRA oil lubricated Hyatt roller bearing boxes to the Timken cartridge type roller bearings. Also the two air brake cylinders per side would not have been original to an SP SD45. Definitely something odd about those trucks, especially for an SP unit.

I thought they were an early EMD version.

Joe,

The truck side frames are EMD and not GE.  The ones on your locomotive are closer to HT-C trucks which replaced the older Flexcoil design.  Here some nice images from another modeling site of HT-C trucks. The HT-C truck was developed in 1970-1971 and was standard on dash-2 six axle EMD trucks like the SD40-2, SD45-2, or the much maligned SDP40F.

Your SD45 should have Flexcoil trucks.  SP did have the SD45X model with was a test bed for the HT-C truck.  See this link for a photo.  However, you can also see, this not nearly a stock SD45.

The stock SP SD45 is shown here with the Flexcoil trucks.  The good news for you is that if Atlas is using the same truck block as MTH, you can swap the side frames out from say a Railking FP45 to get something closer to the prototype.  I am planning on going the other direction and putting HT-C side frames on my two MTH Amtrak FP45s as a first step to getting them closer to the SDP40Fs they are meant to represent.

I saw your other post and didn't want to comment as I didn't want to start a flame war unnecessarily.  I hope you are able to get the final results you are looking for as that old MTH tooling that dates back to Weaver with a true fixed pilot in two-rail is not too bad looking.  With the correct side frames, I think you have a pretty credible SD45. Best of luck!

@Engineer-Joe, I am in the same boat as you as I have the sister unit to your SD45, #8614, also from Beth at PDT. I have emailed the Atlas customer service department to see what info they can provide.

@GG1 4877 Interestingly, Atlas used the correct truck side frames for other locomotives in this run as can be seen on this Norfolk & Western unit.

For what it's worth, I don't believe that the truck shown in Joe's photos is an HT-C version, since it doesn't have the end transom on the in-board end of the truck (toward the fuel tank). Don't know where Atlas came up with that version of the EMD SD truck, equipped with clasp brakes (that is why there are two brake cylinders per side).

With that single hole spaced midway [ more or less ] between the axles I believe this is the GSC/Rockwell truck used under some UxxC's, along with the AD version.

Of course, I might be wrong....   [ Photo chosen only because it was handy and clearly showed the sideframes*.]

SZ    

*Edited to add:...and I took it.]

@Hot Water posted:

For what it's worth, I don't believe that the truck shown in Joe's photos is an HT-C version, since it doesn't have the end transom on the in-board end of the truck (toward the fuel tank). Don't know where Atlas came up with that version of the EMD SD truck, equipped with clasp brakes (that is why there are two brake cylinders per side).

This is a very curious and interesting thread to follow. I’ve looked through dozens of photos today and still haven’t been able to positively ID what truck it is. Here's a close up from one I saw on the www.

My first thought was it may be one of the trucks shown below, seeing Steinzeit’s photo it does appear to be similar to the GSC/Rockwell truck.

Overland C40-8W

Overland SF30C

From a SD45 GAD

and SD45-2 GAD

It appears to be the same truck MTH used on their Dash 8's.

Yep! Come on Atlas. Maybe they ran out of grey paint?

John,

After seeing your photos, I would agree with you.  It's always hard to tell what happens at the factory.  I am curious if this is an anomaly on Joe's locomotive or common to all the SP ones in this run?

The mystery deepens.

Here are 5 pictures of SD45 engines, the first 3 are the latest Atlas releases (SP, UP, CSX), the last two are from earlier MTH releases (BN -PS3 and UP -PS2). Only the SP is different.

Just to add some more excitement to this search for accuracy, here are two pictures, the first being a MTH SD45 SP tunnel motor and the second being a MTH Dash8-CW.  The UP Dash8 looks like it has the same side frames as the just released Atlas SP SD45 - and YES I intentionally picked an engine with same color side frames.

Let the opinions begin..

The tunnel motor has the correct HT-C side frames as it was actually an SD45-2.  The SD45-T2 was unique to the SP.

Sorry guys, I just can’t resist throwing some more “meat” into the fire 🔥 of this mystery. This is a picture of a MTH Railking SP SD45 engine that was released a few years ago using the original trucks and side frames from the PS1 and early PS2 5V engines where the “blind” wheel is next to the fuel tank. The side frames are not compatible with newer trucks on just released Atlas SD45 engines.

Top photo is an MTH Premier Dash 8-40C and the bottom is an MTH Premier SD45. Both engines are PS3.

Those photos a too underexposed to really see any detail.

Definitely General Steel Castings (GSC) looking trucks which are common on many GE locomotives.   Agree many others stating this fact.  Hoping Atlas resolves the issues for you guys which got the wrong sideframes on your SP SD45's

@GG1 4877 posted:

John,

After seeing your photos, I would agree with you.  It's always hard to tell what happens at the factory.  I am curious if this is an anomaly on Joe's locomotive or common to all the SP ones in this run?

The mystery deepens.

On my SP unit (other roadnum) they are the same so I assume it is an issue with the whole SP portion of the run. I will take photos tonight to corroborate.

I called Bill at Atlas. He said it was the whole run?

They are aware of the problem and are "painting up some sideframes" now. But, "They won't be available until the end of the year."

Then, he said, I "could purchase" some and "the good thing, is I could have spares with the removed ones".

I don't need spares as I already have these from another -8 UP narrow nose.

I took all day to mull over whether to post this or not. I've never had any better luck with any of these importers. Wrong colors, bad wiring, zinc rot, wrong stuff,.... I'm guilty because I bought it?

@Engineer-Joe posted:

I'm guilty because I bought it?

Enablement.

One of the interesting things in real railroading is prototypical is a word we never used. You would be surprised some of the things I have seen as I’ve mentioned in other posts Penn Central magical electrical structural black paint. I always tell people at the end of the day if you like it it’s good to go, it does make me laugh on how some of these manufacturers will go all in on detail and then one thing is not correct. I often say to a friend of mine Big Engine Joe did they get bored? Did somebody decide we have to leave now? These are the questions that need to be asked Then again maybe not.

BTW it does set my hair on fire with the simple mistakes Lionel/MTH/Atlas and alike seem to make……..given the detail they try to put in.

Perhaps what Bill at Atlas was saying that while Atlas is having EMD sideframes for the SD45 made and will probably offer them on a UX basis, you could buy the replacements now and keep the 'GE' ones -- the same thing I suggested over on your other complaint thread.

As far as your complaining about mistakes by the importers in general -- yeah, there are too many of them, the price we pay for subcontracting everything to a workforce a jillion miles away.  But for some reason I seem to recall a Forum topic not too long ago where 'somebody'-- I'm not going to mention any names here, EJ -- ordered and got from MTH Parts TRAXX electric loco trucks for their RK switcher.......

SZ

Good memory!

Not sure what that has to do with this, but you are right.

and no, he said they were painting some in grey for the SP version and they would be available for order (sale) later in the year. He said if I bought them the good thing was, I'd have spares. Nothing about any exchange.

What if you don’t want spares and simply want to exchange the wrong truck side frames for the correct ones? This was Atlas’ mistake and they should offer the buyer the option to exchange the side frames free of charge.

I’m following this as this will affect future purchases from Atlas. In the past, I had a Master cylindrical hopper with the wrong RB trucks and I was able to exchange them for the correct ones.

I’m noticing more factory mistakes coming from Atlas. The last run of 2-rail 17,360 gallon tank cars were missing the coupler uncoupling levers on either end that were present on preceding runs. The last run of 60’ Berwick high cube boxcars had the uncoupling levers mounted upside down/backwards.

We are getting replacement frames from the factory.  I am not sure of the delivery date yet as they have to be molded and painted, but if you purchased an SP model and need the truck frames replaced, please contact our Customer Service Department.  Note that you will also have needed to have filled out and returned the warranty registration card to receive the replacements.

Didn't get a card inside. I took one from another engine and will mail it.

I already contacted service but I guess I will again.