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Athearn HO EMD FP45 and F45
This is a model that I would like to get. It has great detail and great speed and also an onboard sound system. Way to GO!!! Athearn!!!
This is a fantastic model, to be sure! You guys missed one thing about the DC version, though…it has both the NMRA 8-pin plug and the JST 9-pin plug, plus voltage regulators for each function output, set to 1.5v so that no resistors are needed in order to use the existing bulbs with a decoder. Also, Athearn made one minor mistake when it came to the Santa Fe FP45 models. The front pilot is notched at the upper right and left corners so that the ends of the handrails on the pilot are even with the ends of the handrails against the nose. From looking at many photos of these units, these notches didn’t appear until the units were shopped to become Superfleet units in 1989. However, if this is the only detail that isn’t perfect, I can live with it!
I purchased DC FP45 and F45 in ATSF passenger and freight. Athearn has truly out done themselves. While I am just strating I have a huge train barn, double head either and you can pull 200 cars easily. I was totally in love with my SD40-2 ATSF machines until these arrived. These cowl units look gorgeous espcially in tunnels. I like these so much I advanced order the FP45s in the after 1980 scheme and retired some older engines. outstanding products Kenner Louisiana
I puchased a DC F45 unit and it ran like a dream, however I had to return it do to an assembly problem at the factory. The engineer side inertia screen was installed incorrectly. Now I have to wait until November to get a replacement. I also heard through the grape vine that there was also a recall do to a problem with the height of the rear anti-climber, don’t they have any quality control?
I have the new Santa Fe FP45 unit and I run it in DC mode only, along with a number of other of my DC/DCC equipped units. While I am not converting to DCC, I wanted to get as much of the availble sound and running functions, as possible, out of my units, so I purchased MRC’s “BlackBox” controller. All my DC/DCC equipped engines perform very close to DCC (idling, starting and running) and the sound fuctions that are available for that particular unit work well. There are a few manufacturer’s, whose units will not work with the “BlackBox”, such as Broadway’s “BlueLine” series, so there is some limitations to the “BlackBox” product. I do not own any “BlueLines”. In your future reviews of units that have DC/DCC sound capability, you should review their performance utilizing the “BlackBox” in addition to normal DC running. Not all of us (at least myself) are going to convert to DCC.
I had been waiting on these since the anouncement was made that Athearn would be producing the model. It was a long wait but worth every minute. I purchased the FP45 and the F45 both with sound. Every aspect of these models is great. They are superb performers in DCC, the detail and paint are remarkable, and the sound is…well you just have to hear it to believe it. If you are a Santa Fe fan or just a fan of the FP45/F45 you have to add this on to your roster!
This is a locomotive anyone would die for in fact I ordered a csx ac6000cw with built in sounds just like it so this one definently gets a five out of five
Does anyone know what the minimum turn radius of these engines are?
I own a sound equiped Milwaukee Road FP45. I’m impressed with the job Athearn has done, but I don’t like the MRC decoder. The manual tells I can change the volume by programming various CV’s but the only way I can change the volume on my engine is to remove the shell and use the manuel volume pot on the board. They should have taken a better sound decoder (GSI or LokSound).
Follow up: I just received two FP45s in 1980 yellow war bonnett set. Again awesome running units, just as impressive as the “the Hundreds” in passenger red. Unfortunately they have some detail problems, first there trucks are blackened which is appropriate for Pin Stripe not Yellow War Bonnet, easy fix with bright silver paint but for a Genisis model you expect more at least I do, especially when I pre-order. FP45 #5941 came with the wrong chief decal on the front, one normally associated with Pin Stripe color scheme which is a yellow background to cover the predominanat blue back ground paint which means that unit looks incorrect and is almost impossible to get correct, I have provided the information to FP45 #5942 was dead on except for the blackened trucks. Great pullers just like the “Hundreds”, super runners, there near 3 pound weight makes the FP45 the best pullers on grade, especially with a large train of 50 cars plus double headed consist moves great at all speed ranges in DC.
Follow up: I just received two FP45s in 1980 yellow war bonnett set. Again awesome running units, just as impressive as the “the Hundreds” in passenger red. Unfortunately they have some detail problems, first there trucks are blackened which is appropriate for Pin Stripe not Yellow War Bonnet, easy fix with bright silver paint but for a Genisis model you expect more at least I do, especially when I pre-order. FP45 #5941 came with the wrong chief decal on the front, one normally associated with Pin Stripe color scheme which is a yellow background to cover the predominanat blue back ground paint which means that unit looks incorrect and is almost impossible to get correct, I have provided the information to Athearn. FP45 #5942 was dead on except for the blackened trucks. Great pullers just like the “Hundreds”, super runners, there near 3 pound weight makes the FP45 the best pullers on grade, especially with a large train of 50 cars plus double headed consist moves great at all speed ranges in DC.
I pre-ordered a BN F45 with sound, number 6635. The detail is great and the fans are really nice. The unit runs well, sounds good, and pulls like mad.
The step edges weren’t painted white, but there are a few pictures of some with out white step edges but all before the early to mid-70s (I think about 72-73 is when they all had white edges). One problem I had with the model was installing the winterization hatch. There are 2 very large mounting lugs, but no drill starter point inside the shell for it. I cut the lugs off and used CA to glue it to the top.
The unit sounds and runs very well. One thing I don’t like is that I can’t turn off the momenteum and get it to change direction without hesitation. Although it is realistic, being able to turn it off would make it easier to speed match.
Despite those qualms, I like it and might get another one. Of cousre it’d be overkill because I’d put it in a consist with my existing F45 and pair of P2K SD45s.
A beautiful, solid performer! I have the FP45 with the factory-installed tsunami decoder. The sounds are fantastic. My ony concern is that I can’t get the slow speed perfomance I desire. At speed step 1, the unit honks and takes off. This occurs even after adjusting CV’s 213 & 214 to a value of 8!
I have an old “Blue Box” FP45, Amtrak. While it may be old, it flew around a grade turn and pulled my heaviest cars behind it-nearly 2 pounds of rolling stock. All in all, this unit is one heck of a pull.