Athearn HO RTR SD45T-2, NREX #9308

ATH86712

ACCEPTING PRE-ORDERS FOR FEB. 2019 DELIVERY

Regular price ~~$149.98~~ Sale price $127.48

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

The SD45T-2 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Like the similar SD40T-2 it is nicknamed a “tunnel motor”. 247 were built from February 1972 to June 1975, including 84 for SP’s subsidiary Cotton Belt. From April 1986 to December 1989 about half were rebuilt and designated as SD45T-2R and 24 of the 126 rebuilds were built for Cotton Belt.

The SD45T-2 is an SD45-2 with cooling system modifications. The intake for radiator cooling air was moved to the walkway level and the cooling fans themselves were under the radiator cores, instead of above. Tunnel motors were built to perform best in tunnels in mountainous areas in the western United States. The air intake grills at the lower rear of the locomotives’ long hoods were intended to bring cool and clean air into the radiator section. The larger area of the intakes would also provide a less restrictive airflow.

NEW FEATURES FOR ALL SD45T-2S IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT:

First time offering DCC+Sound Version, including new T-2 rear truck design for more visibly see through grilles
All-new LED lighting
First-time pilot detail including rubber MU hoses for durability
Photo-etched stainless steel windshield wipers

NREX FEATURES:

Ex SP
Whip antenna
Large EMD style plow
Small anticlimber
Coupler cut levers with loops

#9308:

Frame mounted bell
Illuminated ditchlights
Rebuilt EMD style nose
Cab mounted headlight
Hood mounted Nathan air horn
No rear MU catch trays

According to Espee’s internal memos, the Bicentennial locomotives were affectionately referred to as “Snowflakes.” These unique and colorful Espee locos appeared quite often separately on company public relation exercises, with #9389 being a part of most helper consists for the Freedom Train, and GP40P-2 #3197 was seen everyday as part of the Peninsular commute fleet. The SP ‘snowflake’ paint schemes were all designed by the late Mr. Chester Mack, famed RR designer.

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

Fully assembled and ready-to-run
Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends, first time offered
“Mushroom” nose vent on right side
Separately applied wire grab irons
Standard late Dash-2 4-window/L-window cab without louvers or roof seam per prototype
See through cab windows
Fixed cab side windows
Welded ECAFB
See-through dynamic brake fans
See through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox speific for the tunnel motor
Fine scale handrails
Photoetch windshield wipers, first time offered
Separately applied air tanks
Speed recorder attached to appropriate axle per prototype (except undecorated)
McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
Highly-detailed, injection molded body
Painted and printed for realistic decoration
LED Lighting, first time offered
New tooling HTC truck sideframes
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup
5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
Compatible with Genesis motor retrofit kit
Window packaging for easy viewing
Interior plastic blister safely holds the model for convenient storage
DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plug™ technology
Available also with factory installed Econami Sound by Soundtraxx, first time offered
Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Replacement parts available including motor brushes
Minimum radius: 18”
Recommended radius: 22”

Athearn HO RTR SD45T-2, NREX #9308

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