Athearn has released a new run of Electro-Motive Division FP45 diesel locomotives in its HO scale Genesis line. The six-axle unit features injection-molded plastic and die-cast metal construction, prototype-specific details, and McHenry plastic scale couplers.
Prototype history
Electro-Motive Division produced the FP45 in 1967 and 1968. During that time, 14 units were built, nine for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Nos. 100 through 108) and five for the Milwaukee Road (Nos. 1 through 5). The six-axle diesels, rated at 3,600 horsepower, were equipped with a 20 cylinder, 645E3 engine and steam generator equipment toward the rear of the cowl body.
Our review sample is decorated as Milwaukee Road No. 4. The full-size unit was built in December 1968 and delivered in the yellow-and-gray passenger scheme. When the diesel was reassigned to freight service in the 1970s, the FP45 was repainted orange-and-black (originally with the herald only, later with billboard lettering), received a winterization hatch over the lead radiator fan, and had the steam generator equipment removed. Locomotive No. 4 was reassigned to Milwaukee Road’s 36EF-6 class and could be found in service throughout the railroad’s network.
Milwaukee Road No. 4 was retired in December 1981. It was sold to National Ry. Equipment Co. on Sept. 19, 1984. The FP45 was scrapped at the Milwaukee Shops.
Model features
The Athearn FP45 features a plastic body with an assortment of freestanding detail parts. Exploded-view diagrams included with the model show the various part combinations for the Genesis-series FP45 and the freight-hauling F45.
Factory-installed and painted wire grab irons; m.u. and train line hoses, all with the glad hands painted silver; and see-through, etched-metal radiator intake grills and radiator fan grills are among the features shared across the road names. All models also feature a detailed cab interior with a control stand, three cab seats, an electrical cabinet, cab heater, water cooler, and floor.
The three Milwaukee Road FP45s in Athearn’s latest run depict the locomotives after they were moved from passenger to freight service. Prototype-specific details on No. 4 include a nose-mounted headlight, an electronic bell and Prime 8911 Stratolite beacon on the cab roof, a winterization hatch with an etched-metal screen over the front radiator fan, and tall m.u. stands. The cab signal light with red emergency warning light between the number boards is plated over on No. 4. The other two Milwaukee Road units have that detail.
The Milwaukee Road model has a plastic 5,000-gallon fuel tank with a step and formed-wire grab irons on the left side. The Flexicoil C truck sideframes have raised EMD logos, Hyatt bearing caps, and freestanding high brake cylinders.
Taking a closer look
Our review sample is decorated in the mid-1970s orange-and-black “billboard” scheme. The paint is smooth and evenly applied, and the color separation lines are crisp. Lettering placement matches prototype images, though the F on the sill by front stepwell was omitted on both sides. The font used for the digit in the numberboards is slightly different than that on the prototype.
The plate covering the cab lights between the numberboards is slightly undersized compared to the one of the full-size diesel when it was in the billboard scheme. Other details align with prototype images.
Drawings of the EMD FP45 were published in Model Railroader Cyclopedia: Vol. 2, Diesel Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co., out of print).The model’s dimensions match or are within scale inches of published data.
I tested the FP45 at the workbench using an NCE Power Cab. At step 1, the six-axle locomotive moved at 5 scale mph. The model achieved a top speed of 67 smph at step 28. With a drawbar pull of 3.2 ounces, the road locomotive can pull approximately 45 free-rolling freight cars on straight and level track.
Then I took the locomotive over to our new Milwaukee, Racine & Troy East Troy Industrial Park layout to test it in an operating layout environment. The cowl-body locomotive had no issues navigating the turnouts at the interchange in Mukwonago.
Though only 14 EMD FP45 diesels were built, several examples have been preserved at museums throughout the United States. Thanks to Athearn, you can bring a well-detailed version of the cowl-body locomotive to your HO scale model railroad.
Watch the Athearn Genesis HO EMD FP45 in action on our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy East Troy Industrial Park layout on Trains.com Video.
Facts & features
Price: Direct-current model with 21-pin NEM connector, $219.99 to $229.99; with dual-mode SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound decoder, $319.99 to $329.99
Manufacturer
Athearn Trains
2904 Research Rd.
Champaign, IL 61822
athearn.com
Era: 1970s to 1990s (varies based on paint scheme)
Road names: Milwaukee Road (faded with herald only, small side letters, and large side letters); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Superfleet and pinstripe schemes); and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (fictional scheme). Two to three numbers per scheme.
Features
- Body-mounted McHenry scale couplers, at proper height
- Metal wheel stubs on plastic drive axle gears, correctly gauged
- Minimum radius, 18”; recommended radius, 22”
- Weight: 1 pound, 10.7 ounces
