SP SD45X reserection project.

[c415rock]

Hi Everyone,

 This is a SD45x that was started by a friend who got into build and like us all at one time or another got frustrated with it. He put it in the box with the hope one day it would see light again. This is where I come in. He sent me what I like to call a grab bag special.  Which is a box of parts and a bunch of parts that say please make make something out of us.

 So when I received the unit I got a a frame, two dummy trucks, and a 2 spliced together RPP SD45 shell with a lot of styrene and a brass step and porch to complete the rear of the engine.  My game plan after doing research and taking in what was sitting on the work bench. Was to work with what I had on hand. A few things that lead to this decision was first the overall cost of this project the owner wanted to keep the cost down, second was what I had on hand could be made into a useable model and third my friend was not looking for a scale show quality model, just a real  close representation of the prototype.

 Here is the background on the prototype.       The EMD SD45X is a 6-axle experimental locomotive built by EMD between June 1970 and February 1971. It was power by a EMD 645E3A 20-cylinder engine @ 4,200 horsepower. Just 7 of them were built. Six of these units would end up in service with Southern Pacific Railroad and the 7th was owned by EMD.

Sources:  
Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4.
Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD SD45X Original Owners.

Prototype Photo: www.ssloan.net/trains/sp/sp9500_0001.jpg

Here is the list of parts I used on this Project:

A-line Chain
A-line 29210 Cab Shades
Cannon 1804 GP35 Extended Range Door
Cannon 1805 GP40 Extended Range Door
Cannon 1806 SD45 Extended Range Door
Cannon 1409 Farr Grilles SD39 (2 Sets)
Cannon 2016 EMD Walkway Safety Tread (2 Sets)
Cannon 2156 Fuel Tank Set (2 Sets)
Detail Assoc. 1508 M.U. Hoses
Detail Assoc. 6206 Air Hose
Detail Assoc. 1402 Drop Steps
Detail Assoc. 2314 Wipers
Detail Assoc. 2316 EMD Tandem arm wiper
Detail Assoc. 1505 M.U. Stand
Detail Assoc. 3001 Sand Filler hatches
Detail Assoc. 1104 Lift Tabs
Detail Assoc. 1003 Dual Pyle late headlight
Detail Assoc. 2303 Cab Armrest
Detail Assoc. 1019 Class Lights EMD Late
Details West  206  Snow Plow
Details West  Air Horn
KD Couplers   #5
Minitronics Constant Lighting Unit  CL-012-01
MV Lenses Red E light  103
Precision Scale  39153 Roof Mounted Bell
Precision Scale  3924  Rear Class Marker Lights
Smokey Valley 104 EMD  SD40-2 & SD40T-2  Handrail Stanions
Smokey Valley 135 EMD SD60 Handrail Stantions
Tichy  3015  Drop Style Grab Irons
Tichy  1106 .0125 Bronze wire for Hand Rails
Tichy  1103 .020 bronze wire for Air Lines

Enjoy!
Erik


SD45X nose shoot by WB Route, on Flickr

Sd45X fully detailed by WB Route, on Flickr

SD45X by WB Route, on Flickr

SD45X by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

sd45x by WB Route, on Flickr

sd45x by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

Untitled by WB Route, on Flickr

[lindsaya99]

Very cool project. I think it is safe to say you are the only kid on the block with one of those. Is that a SD40-2 frame that it is on?
Charlie Lindsay

[c415rock]

Hi Charlie,

It is a RPP SD60 Frame.

Erik

[m a y o r 79]

Wow very nice work. Proves that you can definately make a nice model still with railpower parts.

Looks way too clean for an SP unit though.

[c415rock]

Hi Mike,

Thanks I agree with you. It would look much better dirty, but my friend like his engines clean.

Erik

[conrailpres]

Excellent work - and a great prototype. I'm sure this will turn lots of heads.

[spike]

What trucks does this have? I am wondering if it was a test for the HT-C.

Will the Athearn old 6 wheel trucks, with Flexicoil side frames fit on the newer chassis? Has this changed with the introduction of the RTR SD40 and 38?

[Jack Napier]

Jan 24, 2014 1:16:08 GMT -5 spike said:

What trucks does this have? I am wondering if it was a test for the HT-C.

Will the Athearn old 6 wheel trucks, with Flexicoil side frames fit on the newer chassis? Has this changed with the introduction of the RTR SD40 and 38?

The SD45X's were testbeds for GM's new HT-C trucks and Dash-2 electronics. They predate the Dash-2 line by about two years, since the first SD45X entered service in 1970.

Out of curiosity, is your model riding on an SD45T-2 frame?

[jmlaboda]

I have always liked these units, though I never saw one in person. You've got a great model there!!!