New MTH Premier SCL SD45 in 2015 V.1

Probably an un-answerable question right now, but do you happen to know how much difference in detail there is between this Premier SD45 and the recently released RailKing Scale SD45?

 

I had just gotten the RK scale BNSF version from the 2014 v1 catalog about a month before the 2015 v1 catalog came out, which had the Premier version in BNSF. The RK version is nice and has really good sound, but it is sort of plain looking and not very detailed. I didn't pre-order the Premier version, but was wondering if it would be worth trying to order the Premier version or should I just stick with the RK version I already have?

 

Here are links to each one. Premier does seem to look a little nicer, but I can't really tell a lot from these pictures.

RK Scale SD45   Premier SD45

I can't say for sure...but I do have a premier Southern SD45 and it has amazing detail and proportions.  

The Premier is probably much nicer then...decisions, decisions...

 

I added some pictures, anything you can compare to yours is appreciated. Thanks

 

I myself am torn between the scl sd45 and the csx sd40-2 with new boxcar logo to be my premier purchase for the year. Decisions........sd40-2 are my favorite, but I've been waiting for something with the scl road name to come along.

I recently purchased a railking dummy prr sd45 off DA bay. I also have two ps1 premiers plus o have seen the premier ps2 sd45 in prr. The difference's between the tk and premier-esp the prr units- are the:
Paint- premier has a dlge rk is a dark olive green
Add on details for the premier unit- wipers, lift rings,separate grab irons
Add on graphics- warning labels on premier, radio decal on premier
Lighted number boards on premier units
Lighted marker lights on premier units
See through grills on premier units
See through fans that manually rotate
Painted end railings in yellow.

Its a lot of difference between the two and the price difference is not much when you just add up the details alone- never mind the additional time it takes to install those details.

Where is the SD40-2 with Boxcar logo?  I will compare once mine arrives.  The proportions on the RK version look good to me as well.

 

Were SD40-2 actually made by EMD or by the specific railroads via modification?

The Premier and Railking versions are two completely different pieces- the Premier is totally retooled with correct truck placement, see through grills, etc. The Railking is the original model with older tooling. No comparison here as they are two different models....

 

The whole "Dash 2" model line was introduced by EMD in 1972, i.e. GP38-2, SD38-2, GP49-2, GP40-2, SD40-2, and SD45-2. One of the biggest improvements, and probably most visual difference on the "SD" models was the new HT-C three axle truck.

I did notice from the pictures I took yesterday that I posted above, the engine says SD40-2 below the cab. I double checked and MTH says it's an SD-45? I am prototypically challenged with poor eyesight as well, but something looks a bit fishy here? About all I know is what the manufacturers say they are, I can tell a few of the different prototypes apart (like ES44 and SD70), but not very many.

 

Mike W, this is also listed by MTH as RailKing Scale in the catalog, so I guess it's their old Premier tooling that was used for it? It sounds like I am going to want the Premier version. I have two engines ordered from this catalog and was hoping to get through it without further damage...drat!

Jeff's point about truck placement is a good one. That's also one of the areas in which the re-tooled Premier Dash 8-40CWs are an improvement over the old (now Railking Scale) model. Here's a look at the re-tooled Premier SD45 (from the very first run). In addition to all of the details, the sounds are top-notch:

 

 

I returned my EL SD.

Quality issues and other incorrect features.

H.O. sized number board fonts.

The entire piece looked like a big boat anchor to me.

MTH had to eat it.

Rich, awesome pic!! Love those Santa Fe units- just incredible looks and sounds!! 

 

RTR-- your unit is an SD40-2R, which is a rebuilt SD45 unit that was updated to SD40-2 internal and electrical standards. So technically it is a SD45 with SD40-2 internals. BNSF did that to several of their older SD45 units to keep them on the road in service and in operable condition....

Thanks, I didn't even notice that label until I took the pictures. Pretty sure they do this to me because they know I don't know one from the other. If you all keep pointing these things out, I may just fool them one day.

I just hope MTH adds the "Pulling for You" slogan below the cab window.  Pretty sure it was added later in the SCL life but looks great and sticks in my head as a sight from years ago.

The people at MTH have not offered the RailKing or Premier SD45 locos in either of the Rio Grande groups.

 

This is from the Action Road website.

Rio Grande's SD45s came in two groups, as shown in this  table.

Number Range	Date Purchased	Comments
5315 - 5324	Jan - Feb 1967	All SD45s delivered in the small "Flying Rio Grande" scheme.
5325 - 5340	Mar - May 1968

 

Does anybody need a Rio Grande SD45 better than the Williams model?

 

 

Andrew