Athearn FP 45/F 45 Review.

[nscalesteve]

That would mean that I got 85% of the undec GN style that were made and I just can't see how that could be. Something is not right with that story.

doesn't sound right, that would mean that wiggy didn't sell a singel one under price - I do not believe that...

[David Leonard]

Wouldn't the upcoming undecorated BN versions be the same as the GN? What changes did BN make to the ex GN units?

[wazzou]

Wouldn't the upcoming undecorated BN versions be the same as the GN? What changes did BN make to the ex GN units?

The BN did order some after the merger so they would have rostered some that did not come from the GN.  I am not sure at this moment what, if any changes were made between orders.

[bobcat]

Here's an interesting tidbit for some people perhaps...

For the 2nd time (I came by last week too) I swung by my LHS to see if the 2 Undec GN-style units I ordered had arrived.  They hadn't.

So he called Horizon for me to see what was up.  Turns out, according to the Horizon rep, they Athearn only had twenty Undec GN-style made.  That's it.  And turns out only 19 got sent to Horizon, the entire allocation of which had been been pre-ordered within 2 days of the time Athearn announced the part numbers for these units.

Turns out #19 and #20 were meant for me (I placed an order as soon as the part numbers were released) and they were holding #19 hoping for my other one, but Athearn has no plans to make more Undecs despite there being a backlog of orders.  So it looks like I'll have to strip a GN-painted one.  Not particularly happy about that.

That would mean that I got 85% of the undec GN style that were made and I just can't see how that could be. Something is not right with that story.

Sounds like Chuck is the man to order from.

[Hyperion]

I thought so too, but he's only showing Milwaukee FP45s in stock.  From what I can tell the entire run was about 95% sold on arrival.  Even Ebay only has 1 up.

N Scale Supply is down to just 1 road number of GN dec units.  I may have to grab that one.

[Walkercolt]

The BN purchased units should have dual headlights as some were delivered that way, but quickly changed, at least that's the poop I get from my buddy in the club that's a BN conductor(and worked in the Springfield shops). But you'd just about have to check frame/build numbers to be 100% positive. As I recall, the BN units had 5 chime horns at one point in thier lives, and the beacon was over the conductor's side, with a Sinclair antenna down the middle, but that was after the BN/Frisco merger, based on looking down from the bridge over Cherokee Yard in Tussa at those ugly black and green things taking over our pretty Mandarin Orange units. Not being a GN or BN fan, much less "expert", take everything above with as much salt as you care. I didn't photograph the BN units...I was after Frisco's before they got ruined with black and green. Same with the Santa Fe. Which the "Super Fleet" paint is getter very, very shabby on. The "Yellow Bonnets" don't look nearly as bad. ???

[flight2000]

Here's an interesting tidbit for some people perhaps...

For the 2nd time (I came by last week too) I swung by my LHS to see if the 2 Undec GN-style units I ordered had arrived.  They hadn't.

So he called Horizon for me to see what was up.  Turns out, according to the Horizon rep, they Athearn only had twenty Undec GN-style made.  That's it.  And turns out only 19 got sent to Horizon, the entire allocation of which had been been pre-ordered within 2 days of the time Athearn announced the part numbers for these units.

Turns out #19 and #20 were meant for me (I placed an order as soon as the part numbers were released) and they were holding #19 hoping for my other one, but Athearn has no plans to make more Undecs despite there being a backlog of orders.  So it looks like I'll have to strip a GN-painted one.  Not particularly happy about that.

FWIW, I thought I remembered seeing M.B. Kleins with stock and a quick check shows 3 ea of the F45 undec (GN version) in stock as of now.
 
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/N_Scale_N_Scale_F45_FP45_s_s/2514.htm

Standard disclaimer, no affiliation, yadda, yadda, yadda......

Brian

[diezmon]

while we're talking about these.. anyone know how to get the d*mn cab piece out withOUT breaking it?     

I already broke the light pipe on my first one.   :

[CBQ Fan]

My GN seems very limited on low speed operation and does not seem to have much of a speed band.  So far I am not seeing that this is worth the premium paid.

[Walkercolt]

Qfan, I've test ran a dozen F's and FP's at the shop, and while some of them did run better at one tie per-second speed, they all ran fine at 5SMPH. They are geared "low and slow" especially compared to Kato SD-40-2's(new run) but on DCC(Digitrax, set to 12V) they ran a scale 80+MPH, darn near perfect. You may have a lemon or it may need some break-in. I ran out of 40' MT boxcars before I could drag down an F-45...50-odd. Pulling power shouldn't be an issue with these babies. In Dec. at the OKC train show, I'll see how the McHenry couplers hold up with about 100 cars for 4-6 hours, and destroy a few more early AccuMates. : QC on the AccuMates has improved, but I wish Atlas would put the Chinese on over-time to shorten them.

[jerwayne]

Mine arrived this morning. First thing I noticed was the weight. 6.1!

Second thing I noticed was that the couplers have to come off before I can remove the shell. Correct? Do I then use topothpicks to slide the shell off?

Runs well on DC and has a low top speed right out the box. What should I expect after it is broken in?

Jerry

[nscalesteve]

Do I then use topothpicks to slide the shell off?

No - you can use them but you don't have to - the shell holds the same way on the drive as do Atlas GPs or Kato SDs (not like the F3/7 or F40PH where you have to use them or the shells wont come off...)

[Puddington]

Got my F45 Great Northern - altogether happy with it (DC unit) - looks great (although I must agree with those who say the paint is a wee bit heavy - certainly not a game breaker for me - not sure some of the professional curmugins won't call for the head of Alfredo Garcia, par normal.......)

Mine runs very well at low speed right out of the box - beat the heck out of a new Kato which creeps like a jack rabbit; this is smooth and silky.... Nice lash up with a Kato SD 45 - The Kato is a bit slower but not an issue with the F 45 in front...

I haven't pulled it apart yet nor weathered it but I'm please nevertheless...here are some pictures of 7000 hp of 20 cylinder noise........









I have another SD 45 in the paint shop awaiting a Big Sky Blue livery.... I'm thinking that 10,000 hp plus looks even better.....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !

[CBQ Fan]

Mine is starting to run better with some break in time.  However it still sounds like it has a "flat spot" somewhere when it is running at speed.  Weird thing is no vibration or shaking that I would expect it there was a flat spot.  Physically runs good but sounds a little off.  I am also trying to figure out if it is just my bias.  I have never found anything that would run as good as an Atlas or a Kato based on my last non Atlas/Kato in the mid 90's.

[Virginia Atlantic]

F45's eh?

Whoda thunk it.

Wonder if it'll come out in this scheme?  Oh, wait, thats an F40.  My bad.