As I sit here and think about the good ol' times on the Grande and what "could" have been at the same time programming CV inputs on a Cotton Belt SD45T-2 I began to wonder... Why did the D&RGW stop with the initial order of SD45 engines? Why not add the Dash 2 models and more specifically the SP inspired SD45T-2 engines? Did they quickly fall out of favor once the SD40 Tunnel motors appeared? Negating any need to order the refined SD45-2 or SD45T-2? Josh
Firstly, the Rio Grande didn't stop with the initial order, they made a second order too. They purchased 10 in the first batch #5315-5324 and then a second batch of 16 #5325-5340. The SD40T-2's picked up in number series directly after the SD45's starting with #5341 and ending with 4413 (73 total). From Rio Grande Diesels Volume 2, Joseph Strapac said that Rio Grande found that the top 600 HP of the 3600 was not usable to them. That extra horse power would have been useful if the Rio Grande wasn't a mountain RR and could run at high speeds. But since speeds were relatively low, being that freight trains were usually climbing grades or going down grade at a safe speed, the Grande found that 3000 hp was adequate so they concentrated all future orders on 3000 hp SD's and GP's. The SD45's did have some problems according to the book, crank shafts and thirsty, so between the fact that higher HP was not actually needed and the other issues, the SD40T-2's became the favorite. BTW, did you have any trouble getting that SD45T-2 shell off of the frame to install the decoder? I had an SP SD45T-2 that had a truck hanging out and I couldn't get the frame to separate from the shell after removing the coupler pockets and the 2 screws. People tell me the chinese put too much glue and it seeps in and glues the frame to the shell. I'm planning on using the TCS T4X or T1A decoders.
SD45s of any vintage had higher fuel costs and maintenance costs than SD40s of the same age... many roads did not feel the extra 600hp justified the incurred costs. Factor in that below 15mph SD45s had a horsepower limiter (to avoid traction motor damage) which effectively made them SD40s anyway and you can see how a mountain road like the Grande would simply buy 40s instead.
They actually had three different EMD orders for SD45s, though the last two were built within months of each other.
Not much trouble. It was easier than some of the other GP diesels with those internal frame tabs. As you said there are the 2 couplers and then the two hidden screws. After that is just a matter of slightly rocking the frame while pulling on it. I used my regular ol' fleet NCE D13SR decoders. So you're doing a full board replacement? Is that for better lighting functions? As for the Rio Grande, as simple as they operated, they made some interesting choices over the course of their operations. Josh
No, unless my source is wrong there were 2 orders. According to Joseph Strapac in Rio Grande Diesels: Volume 2, the Rio Grande ordered 10 SD45's (order #7951) in May of 1966. In September 1967 Rio Grande placed a 2nd order (#7085) for 16 more. That adds up to two orders in my book. (I realize there are a few errors in these books so I'll defer to other documentation if you have it. The actual delivery's were often in smaller batches and if you read about the orders Rio Grande made, they often came in a couple batches a month or few months apart.
I have heard some are glued to the frame. My first one was, but hopefully the replacement unit will be better. Full board replacement? I don't think so, the TCS T4X or T1A just plug in but they have gyra light effects built in plus back EMF that helps Athearns run better according to Joe Fugate. They have a 9-pin plug which is supposed to fit the DCC ready plug in the tunnel motors and SD45's from Athearn.
Ah I was thinking of the A4X which is a full board. I have read with interest what Joe Fugate does, but I am not sure what he is referring to when he mentions the "stiff" mechanisms of the Tunnel Motors. My SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 engines run fantastic with standard NCE D13SR and Digitrax DH123D decoders. As a matter of fact those engines (I have 8 RTR and 8 BB engines) ran the best with less CV twidling than any of my RTR SD45s, GP35s or GP40s. The smoothest non-Genesis has been the Athearn RTR SW1200. WOW! I agree with him about the NCE's lack of realism with the gyralight/ mars light, but it's not something I lose sleep over. I haven't tried any lighting effects with the Digitrax decoders. Josh
http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/sd45.htm DRGW.Net : DRGW EMD SD45 Roster Order # Serial # Unit # 7951 32689-32698 5315-5324 7085 33757-33768 5325-5336 7106 33931-33934 5337-5340 The last two were built concurrently, but there was three orders. If the last four were ordered to a different spec (i.e, Locotrol) that would explain having a separate order.
Robbman, I'll pass the buck to Joseph Strapac on the order info in order to save face. *points finger* I'm not sure, unless it is just the typical Athearn mechanisms that have always required some breaking in to run more smoothly and quietly (not to mention the coffee grinders). I have two of the SW1000's and they seem to run well, at least the one I test ran. I have 6 of the RTR SD45's along with 12 D&RGW tunnel motors, 2 SP SD40T-2's and 1 SP SD45T-2. Plan on getting more!
