By the early 1960's the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) was at a big disadvantage. Their 567 engine, in use for over 20 years, had reached it's peak at 2.500 horsepower in a turbocharged 16-cylinder version. EMD released a new 645 engine in 1966. The most powerful locomotive using this series of engine was the SD45, powered by a 20-cylinder turbocharged 645E engine producing 3600 horsepower. Orders from railroads all over the country, especially western roads, poured in. Great Northern received the first one off the production line and Santa Fe took delivery of a 90-unit order the first year. Great Northern acquired fourteen F45's, numbered 427-440 and painted in the Big Sky Blue scheme, in 1969. The internal walkways were important to the GN given the winter weather on the line between the Twin Cities and Seattle. Crews no longer had to worry about ice and snow covered walkways like on their hood units. GN planned to run all of their main line freights with a F45 on the point. GN ordered an additional 12 units, which were delivered as Burlington Northern 6614-6625 in 1970. BN continued the F45 purchase in 1971 with 20 additional units numbered 6626-6645. The 46 F45's were regular power on the Chicago to West Coast trains over the former GN lines. Three of the original GN units were leased to Utah Railway for five years after being retired by BN. Two other units were sold to Susquehanna and three went first to Trancisco, then to Wisconsin and Southern, and finally to Montana Rail Link. One of the two Susquehanna units was re-sold to MRL in 1993. The Genesis F45 Features: Factory installed DCC decoder and Sound; Sound remote included for DC operation; Genesis driveline with dynamically balanced five pole skew wound motor and dual flywheels; All-wheel drive and electrical pick-up; Cab interior; Detailed multi-piece fuel tanks; Wire grab irons; Metal lift rings; See-through fans; Celcon handrails; Photo-etched non-skid end walks; Flush mounted individual window 'glass'; Road specific details, as per prototype, include: Dynamic brakes; Snowplow or streamlined pilot; Flush or hinged number boards; Rectangular or oval cab door windows; Selectable effect lighting; Photo-etched metal and see-through molded intake grilles; As built or rebuilt pilots and cut levers; High or low headlights with appropriate housings; Air conditioner, beacon, antennae; Lost wax casting brass horns. You may view the Athearn Genesis F45 Sound CV Guide by clicking on the thumbnail image below on the left; the F45 Parts Diagram is found by clicking on the image below on the right:
Deadline: May 16, 2008. ETA: October, 2008. |
