Due to a recent thread elswhere on this board, I'm now confused. http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/005140/p/1.html#000013 Whats the difference between these model locomotives??? Think I got the F45 and FP45 down but what about the SDP40F?? Show us some pics and explain please. Thanks! [ 10. February 2005, 04:47: Message edited by: John Barnhill ]
IIRC the SDP40 were Amtrak units until a series of derailments prompted them to go with 4-axle units for passenger trains. The SDP40's were sold for freight use. They were modified by having a front porch added and the nose was notched to allow room for the steps and handrails. Here is one I caught at Woodford and Caliente. The notched front does not show well due to sun angle.
F45 and FP45 were equivalents of the SD45 and SDP45 in the conventional fleet. The 'P' units have a longer chassis which allows for a steam generator section behind the radiators, the plain F45's do not have this section of bodywork at all. The longer chassis also allowed for a larger tank, split between boiler water and fuel at first. The SDP40F is a later build and is part of the dash-2 line. In addition to what Alan wrote the unit has the same trucks as the SD40-2 (longer frame though) and an even larger steam generator space. The spotting features I use are: F45 - Radiators at rear of unit. SD45 style flexicoil trucks. FP45 - Steam generator space behind radiator, SD45 style flexicoil trucks SDP40F - Dash2 trucks, notched nose on converted freight Santa Fe units. The roadnames may also help with spotting, if it's GN or BN it's an F45, if it's Milwaukee it's an FP45, if it's Amtrak it's an SDP40F... A 4th similar machine in the mix is a batch of machines built for Chicago commuter service, the F40C, these have SD40-2 style trucks as well, but are shorter than the SDP40F and have stainless fluted side panels and HEP...
Great pic Russell I found some shots of the F40C's http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?locomotive=EMD%20F40C
Thank you for all of the compliments. Here is a few more pics. FP45 97 Tulsa OK FP45 5998 FP45 105 Phoenix AZ
