How bout a Sunset 3rd Rail FP45

I would like to see both FP45 and F45. Follow those with SD45-2 and GP40X.

I would purchase a few of these if made by Sunset. One of the best looking diesel locomotives ever made.

 You asked about schemes other than Santa Fe, but since I model Santa Fe I'd be in for some FP45s in the Superfleet scheme (90 series numbers) and some F45s in the Yellow bonnet scheme. Of course that would require Scott to dirty his fingers with freight engines, so I'm not holding my breath (just wasting my time supporting your idea, I guess). But yes, I would buy.

I added fixed pilots and other details to a Railking model a few years ago, and it's OK, but a Sunset version would be very nice to have.

RM

That's exactly what I told Scott in my email to him Rich. RK is the only offering we have as an option, and even after some modifications it's only a so-so model. The FP-45 and F-45 have very few differences and could easily be done by Sunset, just like all the changes on the FP-7's they have done.

I'm sure the Superfleet version would sell out, and many would even buy the freight version F45 in Santa Fe alone. 

Super Fleet series PLEASE!

Gunny

Don't forget the Milwaukee had FP45's and the GN/BN had F45's.  Then Utah Railroad picked up some used BN units as did Susquehanna.  Then Transisco Tours had one in Purple and silver.

quote:

Of course that would require Scott to dirty his fingers with freight engines, so I'm not holding my breath (just wasting my time supporting your idea, I guess)

So campaign for SDP40Fs, and then tack on SDF40s... Problem solved, then he's making passenger engines, no dirty fingers.

I'd be in for SDP40Fs....

After the FT diesels the next project should be a hood diesel, idealy a plastic version of the -9s Sunset did in brass a number of years back[a very plain unit at the time] since they are doing a plastic version of the RDC they had produced in brass at one time this would be an ideal lead in to additional hood units.

While I'm not personally interested in a FP45, I am very interested in Scott continuing to make high quality plastic shelled diesels that wouldn't otherwise be made by Lionel or MTH.

I have a number of Williams FP-45 units.....I know....not much better than the RK....at least they have the bulk of scale....and at less than $50 I still like them. A nice scale unit would be great!

My WbB unit......custom paint and decals

The FP-45 and F-45 have very few differences and could easily be done by Sunset, just like all the changes on the FP-7's they have done.

Unfortunately the FP45 and the F45 are significantly different in length.  So, as with an F7 and and FP7, a totally different tool is needed for the shell and the frames are different lengths.

The MTH model was introduced in the premier line in the 1990s and was even offered in 2 rail before being demoted to "Scale King."  An updated model with the detail of the current MTH SD45 would be most welcome.  The Milwaukee FP45s did not have dynamic brakes and it would be nice to see some new tooling with the flexibility to model them that way.

An accurate F45 model with the correct length would also be nice to see on the market.  GN, BN, ATSF, WC, MRL and Suzy Q fans could finally get real F45 models.  I'd probably be in for GN, BN and MRL and might even get a yellow bonnet ATSF unit to model the period right after the BNSF merger (sorry to mention that Matt) when all sorts of 645 power was sent to Intrerbay and worked over Stevens Pass.

Some ATSF F45's did get "pass through" passenger and steam lines.

Some BN F45's ran with boiler cars when BN placed extreeme conditions on the SDP40F's.  These ran on the EMPIRE BUILDER

I would be in for at least one Santa Fe. One of my favorite diesels. 

The Great Northern F45 has to be made first.

Andrew

The Great Northern F45 has to be made first.

No argument here! 

MTH has already made these, and they are absolutely STUNNING.  Big sky blue looks the best on this engine and the F7s, IMO.

MTH made a Premier model years ago, which was down graded to a Rail King version... far from a Sunset 3rd rail engine. The finish may be stunning as you call it, but the details are far from it.

originally posted by Laidoffsick:

The finish may be stunning as you call it, but the details are far from it.

OK i'll bite. NOw how"far from" in detail is the scaleking fp45 to a scale fp45?

For what I see it's only:

• cast in grabrails
• older flexicoil truck sideframes
• squished fuel tank

What am I missing?

I have a number of Williams FP-45 units.....I know....not much better than the RK

LOL! Now that's a good one!

The pilots on the Railking model are all wrong and of course the trucks are mounted too far inboard, always an eye-sore in my mind.

Here, by the way, is a shot of my ATSF 90 after a fixed pilot upgrade, tank modifications and various other detailing. I may still play around with the tank and look into a truck frame swap:

ATSF FP45 would be great!

These would have been great in Green and Orange.  Too late for that!

Um,  that's not an FP45.  That's an SDP40F.

This FP45 locomotive would be a great candidate for Sunset 3rd Rail, now with the GGD SC and El Cap cars..... Put me down for 3 right now!

Thanks for the correction. Is this a SDP40F?

Regards,

Swafford

F45 - Freight

FP45 here:

The same FP45 5998 in the Warbonnet colors

Oh yeah, a Beauty in all schemes.

All the info you need to know on these units is at atsf.railfan.net/cowls/f45.html of note the extra 5' of length for the passenger units and after an 82/83 rebuild the F45s were called SDF45s to identify as a 6 axel EMD ,I did not research that far to find if the FP45s were redesignated. I believe USH imported at least one if not both units in 2 rail they occasionally show up at meets[ all imports at that time were unpainted from USH.Only 9 FP45s were built for ATSF in the Warbonnet colors and they were repainted for Freight service and the Steam gens removed after Amtrack took over pass service, they were later repainted and renumbered for Super C service.5 FP45s were built for the Milwaukee RD.

This might be an excellent project for Sunset.

That's what I've been sayin!  

Originally posted by swafford;

Is this a SDP40F?

NO it's an F45. The telltale signs between the two are:

• NO porthole windows on the cowl side acess doors for the SDP40F and
• the additional length and dual half doors on the rear of the sdP40F and
• the HTC trucks for the SDP40F[ they have the snubber[shock] on the center axle with 6 casting holes on the truck frame sides and
• vertical ladders and unique railing for front walkway on SDP40F and
• Big Boxy exhaust silencer on the roof [in front of the dual dynamic brake fans]
• just to name a few differences.. I am sure others will point out more!

I hope this helps!

Heres a pair of FP45s pulling ElCapitan Dec1968 Williams Arz, get your requests in to Scott while he is still doing Cowl units.

Good Day prrhorseshoecurve,

Thanks for the great information. I like the SDP40F the best!

Regards,

Swafford

I'm confused about your statement, ""while he is still doing Cowl units.". When was the last time Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot offered "Cowl unit" models in O Scale?

I think there is simply confusion between a cab unit like the F / E series where the body was part of the structural system of the unit vs. a cowl unit where the body is non structural.

Personally, I would really like to see a correct SDP40F in Amtrak Phase I or II.  That would solve my question of how to power the El Capitan set I plan on ordering. 

Really?  Sorry gang, but that locomotive has a face that only a mother could love.

And only on pay day.

How about some F-3s?

George

Well, I must admit that that is a new one on me. With more than 50 years in the motive power business and also railfanning, and model railroading,,,,,I have never heard anyone refer to EMC/EMD "E" and "F" units as "Cowl Units".

F3's have been done to death. Nobody has done an F45, SDF40 or even a Decent FP45.

I think 45 years should qualify these units to be done.