Emd sdp40f or f45?

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L

LATX

Member
Ok I'm confused here. For those who don't know I model AMTRAK. What I'm confused about is, Wat is the differences from the SDP40F and the F45? I thought they were built on the same chassis of the SD40's. But some other searches and other websites claim the F45's are built like the F40's off a GP unit. But if this the case why they have 6 axles like an SD? I'm confused some one help.
 
The SDP40F was built on the SD45-2 frame. It had the SD40-2 innards, with a unique truck underneath. They had steam generators behind the prime mover, that were originally planned to be replaceable with HEP generators, but were removed from service before any conversions were done. Externally, they were very similar to an FP45, but since the carbodies were longer to accommodate the equipment behind the radiators, such as the steam generators and an extra water tank, they had no front walkway. After Santa Fe acquired the ones they got, they added a claustrophobic front walkway, then further modified the front with notches cut in the corners so crews would have more room to get on and off, along with different stairways. Santa Fe called them SDF40-2's.
 
Ok if that was the case why is the picture I found on google images the amtrak 500-510 had the same knotches in the window and a front platfrom that's why I'm confused. I have a model of which I thought was a EMD SDP40F but it looks like a F45 to me thats why I really need to know the differences. I like to keep my locomotives in protoypical forms. But run a freelanced rail. If it sound confusing I know but its what I like. So if you can help me understand what I need to do. When it comes to the roof detail it seem like there is a water tank detail due to the locomotive is extended.
 


I think what you are seeing on the front is the anticlimber pilot, and not a platform. I'm not sure what you mean by notches in the window, the notches Santa Fe cut in the nose were in the sheet metal where the front steps are, after they put an end platform on. If you have a model, what scale is it, and who made it (Atlas, Athearn)? I don't remember any true SDP40F models produced, though Athearn sold the FP45 painted in Amtrak colors many moons ago.
 
bnsf971 said:
I think what you are seeing on the front is the anticlimber pilot, and not a platform. I'm not sure what you mean by notches in the window, the notches Santa Fe cut in the nose were in the sheet metal where the front steps are, after they put an end platform on. If you have a model, what scale is it, and who made it (Atlas, Athearn)? I don't remember any true SDP40F models produced, though Athearn sold the FP45 painted in Amtrak colors many moons ago.
Click to expand...

I believe its an athearn and it has the cab front windows of a FP45 its HO. I'm goin to try to take a pix of it and upload it.
 
<a href="http://s825.photobucket.com/albums/zz171/LATRR/?action=view&current=utf-8BSU1HMDAwMTYtMjAxMDA0MDgtMT-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz171/LATRR/utf-8BSU1HMDAwMTYtMjAxMDA0MDgtMT-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here is the picture of it
 
LATX said:
<a href="http://s825.photobucket.com/albums/zz171/LATRR/?action=view&current=utf-8BSU1HMDAwMTYtMjAxMDA0MDgtMT-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz171/LATRR/utf-8BSU1HMDAwMTYtMjAxMDA0MDgtMT-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Here is the picture of it
Click to expand...
That's an FP45 that's been painted in Amtrak. The nose should be almost identical to that of the F40PH sitting next to it.
 
Here...

utf-8BSU1HMDAwMTYtMjAxMDA0MDgtMT-1.jpg
 


bnsf971 said:
That's an FP45 that's been painted in Amtrak. The nose should be almost identical to that of the F40PH sitting next to it.
Click to expand...


Amtrak's SDP40F's had the same windshield arrangement as the FP45/F45. Plus the front has a very small ledge, but with-out any handrails. Whereas the F40PH has no ledge, it's pretty much flush down the front.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/amtk/amtk500awp.jpg

Dan
 
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Never done one myself but it can't be any harder than a craftsman plastic kit using ACC instead of plastic cement. You'll also have to add details like whistle, bell, lights, etc. plus paint & decal it. Think of doing one as a learning process. Try searching on other MR forums for this model. Here's one from thev Atlas HO forum:
http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=53653&SearchTerms=kaslo,shops,SDP40F
Also found a pic of a detailed & painted one.
 
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One of the best, if not the best, websites that clearly explain what an Amtrak SDP40F looked like and then what they looked like after being traded to the Santa Fe can be found here:

http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/sdp40f.html

And if you need more info on F45s, FP45s, and other cowl units of the Santa Fe, here is the main page to the above link:

http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/

The thing about your Athearn model is that, well it is completely wrong for an Amtrak SDP40F. It kind of looks like an SDP40F, but it is not the right model. Unfortunately no plastic ready to run model of either version (flat nose or pointy nose) of the SDP40F has ever been made. I believe one or two brass versions may have been produced over the years.

The Kalso Shops resin kit is the best out there right now...actually the only thing out there. But it is offered in only one version (pointy nose). And there are reports of serious warpage to some parts of the kit.
 
Southwest Chief said:
One of the best, if not the best, websites that clearly explain what an Amtrak SDP40F looked like and then what they looked like after being traded to the Santa Fe can be found here:

http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/sdp40f.html

And if you need more info on F45s, FP45s, and other cowl units of the Santa Fe, here is the main page to the above link:

http://atsf.railfan.net/cowls/

The thing about your Athearn model is that, well it is completely wrong for an Amtrak SDP40F. It kind of looks like an SDP40F, but it is not the right model. Unfortunately no plastic ready to run model of either version (flat nose or pointy nose) of the SDP40F has ever been made. I believe one or two brass versions may have been produced over the years.

The Kalso Shops resin kit is the best out there right now...actually the only thing out there. But it is offered in only one version (pointy nose). And there are reports of serious warpage to some parts of the kit.
Click to expand...

Ok well it looks like im goin have to get one of those than. I have a majority of F40's but I need 1 or 2 SDP40F's to show then getting the "boot" from service
 
Glad to see other SDP40f fans here. Note: Several modelers and I have been emailing Athearn and the other manufacturers to produce the flat-nosed version of the SDP40f, of which was the majority of the units Amtrak had. Would be super if others joined in. The manufacturers do read our emails.

OK, Re: Appearance. The SDP40f and FP45 differ a good deal, visually, which is easy to see if you compared photos with similar views. The roof fans, side radiator grills, dynamic brake grills, air tank location over the fuel tank, square cab door window vs round cab door window, engine access door location on the carbody, the "porch" vs lack of one, ....I could go on and on. Funny thing is that the F40PH's carbody is much more similar due to the time period of manufacture. The F45/FP45 class was built circa 1967. SDP40fs were built starting in 1973 and the F40 in 1976. Hence, many of the same body and mechanical components from the SDPs were used in the F40. Both the SDP40f and F40PH were essentially Dash-2 units that used the turbocharged 16 cylinder 645E3 engine. The F45/FP45 used the monster 20 cylinder 645. Here's a shot of an SDP40f: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=298734&nseq=41 and now here's an FP45: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=56200&nseq=123 Look carefully and you can see the visual differences. One more monkey wrench. The SDP40f had a "cousin" called the F40C which ran successfully for years on "Metra". Here's one: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=285804&nseq=25
 
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