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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Mar 16, 2014 14:45:31 GMT -5
Wow can't believe there hasn't been any reviews or talk on here about the new SDP45's.Mine are in the weathering shop, so I'll share when they are finished!
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c415rock
Moderator
"Linking the East with the West"
Posts: 1,044
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Post by c415rock on Mar 16, 2014 20:34:31 GMT -5
Mine are on there way to me as I type. I have seen some photos on line, but I am waiting to have them in hand to judge them fairly. They look to be very nice, but they are not without issues being a EL Fan.
Erik
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emdgp10
Probationary Member
Posts: 8
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Post by emdgp10 on Mar 18, 2014 6:32:57 GMT -5
They are freakin' sweet! I need to get a few more. They are going fast. The only thing I have to complain about is the fans (will get cannon fans) and the stupid lights lol.
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Post by T on Mar 28, 2014 12:24:08 GMT -5
Being that I model both in N-SCALE and ho-SCALE I would vote for an EIRE LACKAWANNA SDP45..
Tom
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Post by Canadian Atlantic Railway on Mar 28, 2014 15:42:58 GMT -5
Athearn announced another run this week. link |
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Apr 8, 2014 17:56:05 GMT -5
I am sure these are really nice but the price is a bit over the top don't ya think?
Paulie
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Post by iomalley on Apr 8, 2014 18:38:54 GMT -5
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Post by railfansd40t2 on Apr 11, 2014 17:58:03 GMT -5
I enjoyed reading that,
Thanks for posting the link.
Paulie
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Post by trainnut1945 on Apr 13, 2014 8:53:29 GMT -5
Since SP had both versions rebuilt as SD40-2s I wonder if Athearn will offer both ? These things are awesome but way bout of my wallets reach.  |
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Post by ChessieFan1978 on Apr 13, 2014 19:49:26 GMT -5
For the level of detail on these and the way they run, I thought the price was reasonable. I got mine for about $140.00 each.
Matt
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 7:21:27 GMT -5
I received an EL SDP45 last night. Ordered from Lombard Hobbies in Illinois for $214.00 plus shipping. This unit includes DCC and sound. I do not have my test track setup yet, but I did pull it out of the box and give it the once over.
Overall on a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being best, I give it a solid 7. I have not test run it yet. My review is only visual.
Out of the box it is a beautiful model. The tooling is definitely a solid 10. I'll give Athearn great praise for the tooling. Fit and finish I give a 5. Paint is too thick. The assembly is on par with people who do not care about what they are doing. Handrails are wavy and detract from the model.
All the problems can be fixed my a "modeler" which we all pretty much are. So I am happy I purchased the model and I would like to get two more. I'll need to invest in some Precision Scale/PIA handrail sets, give the things a bath in 91% isopropyl, change a few detail items and put some Sergent couplers on it. I think it will be fun to give this model the respect it deserves.
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Post by antlorch on Apr 23, 2014 8:04:41 GMT -5
I love this model, though I dont have one in my hands yet at least one will be coming my soon. I have seen the rebuilt SP one in SP and UP paint and seeing that has caused the KP to have at least one on the roster. Its a unique engine and I am glad Athearn is doing engines like these.
I know the cost is up but if you think about the cost of everything else in life it really isnt so bad especially if you think about the about of time and energy that goes into these models now-a-days (I know the Chinese are just throwing these together, probably because they are told to hurry up and move them down the line). I the crispness of the models and the detail of the engines is far superior to the BB of long ago.
If you look around you can find great deals on the Genesis stuff all the time. Heck Trainworld had the GP38-2 Genesis for $99 not long ago. So its all about what you want and what your willing to pay. I love the new stuff and since I am a modeler I look for deals first then fix what I dont like.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2014 8:36:31 GMT -5
For an out of the box model, it really only needs one improvement. That being the hand rails.
Mine will get stripped and all the parts removed, cleaned up and rebuilt. I really am happy Athearn produced this model. Very nice and I look forward to buying two more.
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deez
Chairman
Midland Belt Railway
Posts: 949
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Post by deez on Apr 27, 2014 0:47:18 GMT -5
So who is going to be the first one to build the EL SDP45 that got wrecked and was rebuilt with an SD45-2 hood? Didn't that unit end up on the MRL?
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Post by iomalley on Apr 27, 2014 14:06:52 GMT -5
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Post by Packer on Apr 27, 2014 14:23:05 GMT -5
I may get one BN example with sound if they are around by my birthday. I was hoping they'd do the one with the experimental trucks (A1A-B-B) , but they did the number for it; but before the truck swap..
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Post by conrail45dash2 on May 27, 2014 22:41:20 GMT -5
I just received my first Athearn Genesis SDP45 today, I decided to hold off on buying any until I found the best possible deal. I picked up an Erie Lackawanna #3636 for $209 shipped.
First thing I did was an out of the box inspection, a couple issues I found were #1, the unit number on the conductors side is missing part of the first 3, (doesn't matter because I am patching it for Conrail) #2, almost all of the yellow paint has flaked off the handrails, #3 I kind of expected the horn to be bent down due to the design, #4 the front number boards looked like Helen Keller installed them, #5 the light bulbs look like googely eyes, and last mine is missing an eyebolt on the left side long hood end, not a big deal aside from trying to match the size.
Now for the good, the tread plate looks great, the metal drop steps are much tougher than the plastic that was used on SD45-2's, the detailing on the under frame is a nice touch, the new coupler box/buffer plate detail is probably the best I've seen on an Athearn/possibly anywhere. I pulled the shell from the frame to have a peak at the newly designed trucks, I'm still not sure if they could be swapped onto older Athearn products like SD50's or SD40-2's when I weather it I'll do more research on this.
After the inspection I put on my DC test track and the Dual mode decoder and sound performed nicely, I paired it with a factory sound SD45-2 and the pair operated pretty well together.
I can't really give a report on DCC operation as I'm still laying track and working on a DCC system.
The new shell tooling is really well done, the drive is smooth and heavier than other Athearns, the paint is on par with other manufacturers, the only real problem is the careless assembly.
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Post by iomalley on May 28, 2014 18:47:12 GMT -5
It warms my heart that I'm not the only one that the first thing he does is removes the shell on a brand new model...  The careless assembly is pretty typical, my Genesis CN GP40-2L is the same way. |
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Post by conrail45dash2 on May 29, 2014 20:14:35 GMT -5
I was thinking about stripping it and repainting it but decided a patch job and some filthy weathering would do better and I can wait for the 2nd release.
Speaking of tearing a new loco apart, I horrified my LHS owner when he brought over a brand new Kato CSX painted SD80MAC, which I immediately disassembled and tossed it in alcohol to do Demo 8001
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Post by conrail45dash2 on May 29, 2014 20:23:32 GMT -5
So who is going to be the first one to build the EL SDP45 that got wrecked and was rebuilt with an SD45-2 hood? Didn't that unit end up on the MRL? I just re-read the entire thread and just noticed this post, deez you really sent the wheels spinning as I started this unit using a spare Genesis SD45-2 with a Cannon nose and cab but stalled on a frame. I think if I can pick up a cheap SP or GN version I can finish this easily!!! |
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