ATSF train #6, the Ranger, bound for Chicago out of Houston, ran on track rights over the SP to Rosenberg before getting back on Santa Fe tracks. It is seen here on the SP tracks in Sugar Land.
Steve, those are F45/FP45 EMD diesels. Think of them as a "cowl" or "carbody" version of the SD45 "hood" unit, and you will be sorta close. There have been resin shells of varying accuracy and quality available over the years. As was mentioned earlier, Lima made a pretty awful one in the formative years of N Scale. There have been brass models, but N Scale brass has a bad reputation for poor operating performance. There is a toy F45 available that is pretty close to N Scale. In fact, they may have copied or may even be re-using the tool for an old N Scale trainset loco. Whether the shell is worth it or not depends upon how bad you want one, I suppose. On the Atlas forum in the past, the F45/FP45 was one of the most frequently requested diesel models, whenever someone started one of those types of threads. It is an important model for many of us, but was not used by that many roads, and that may compromise the return on investment for a prospective importer. Certainly, now that we have MP15s, F40PH's (besides the trainset-grade LifeLike one), FTs, and F3s, with F7s and FP7s coming hot on their heels, I suspect, the gaping holes in the N Scale diesel model offerings are still the big U-boats and the F45/FP45. They have been in the "top 5 most requested" models in various surveys for at least 10 years. In my outspoken opinion, we need U boats and F45/FP45s a lot worse than we need another round of dueling PA's from Kato and LifeLike, or a new manufacturer making E7's.
Grant, Nice shell. What will it fit over? Will I have to buy an SD40 from Kato and then pay to have it painted?
Steve, Drops over a Kato SD40 chassis. Not sure if I'll be offering built up units or not. The kit is not quite ready to go yet. Waiting on etchings and instruction diagrams. There was a topic on this a few weeks ago. http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/006551.html grant
Grant-SAR, Sir, that is a lot better quality shell than any of the prior attempts at a resin lid for an F45/FP45 I have seen in the past. You still need to buy a Kato C-trucked loco to provide a mechanism, I suspect. While I think you did a great job, and I'm certain you will fill a niche in the market once you get your product to market, I'm personally looking for an acceptable out of the box commercial model of pre-1972 blue and yellow ATSF F45's to pull my TOFC/COFC train on NTrak. I can't justify a project of that magnitude to put at risk on public display. For home use maybe, but at home, I'm coastal Maine in the early 1950's and don't need a brute like that. I do tip my hat to you for a job well done, though.
We NEED U boats! Arghhh. Kato, come on, it's been what 10 years or something? With their advancements in detail, the U boat models would probably blow any ATSF fan's pants off.
My three cowl units are as follows: 5942: Lima FP45 shell, lots of custom parts added, put on an Atlas SD50 mechanism. Testors paint, Micro-scale decals. Richmond Controls lighting system with top Mars light and constant headlights. 5928 & 5938: Lima FP45 shells with steam generator section cut out to make a quasi-F45, Kato SD45 mechanisms. Scalecoat paint, Micro-scale decals. 5938 just got redecaled and weathered about a month ago - not shown in this shot. If you search on Ebay for "Lima" you'll usually find the old units, but most people don't know what they are and identify them as everything under the sun. They came in PRR, CN, UP, B&O, and ATSF freight. Usually can get them for $20 each. Throw out the mechanism. Del Prado's FP45 looks a little better, I think, as a static display mode.. JnJ's F45 shell is a resin takeoff of a Lima body with corrected side panels. The new shell out has the most promise.
That storm picture is one of the cooler train pictures I've seen in a long time. However it was done it is seriously awesome. Good capture.
Originally posted by Jman: Thanks Jman. It was a time exposure with a cable release. (the best of several different length time exposures). Kodachrome 64. Cannon AE-1. Thunderstorm at Fort Madison, Iowa. May 9, 1991. Eastbound intermodal train changing crews. Those are tied down barges on the Mississippi river in the background.
Ah, I should've known it was film, digital is good but it just seems like somehow actual film pictures really get the job done, expecially when one slows down and knows what to do. Again, great job.
Great shot Don. Another cool cowl unit. SDF40-2. What do you think Randy? Next shell project???... grant
Did some checking on this engine and I should have said second Alco or second switcher or maybe freight diesel. I forgot about "Amos & Andy" the two passenger box cab engines delivered for the Super Chief from EMD. They kind of sneeked in between 2300, the first diesel and 2301.
