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. At the same time Santa Fe was looking to replace it's aging fleet of passenger locomotives. They wanted something more stylish than a freight hood unit with a steam generator for thier famous Super Chief train. EMD had already extended the SD45 frame and added a steam generator to the rear creating the SDP45. They responded to Santa Fe's request by adding a cowl body to the SDP45 thus creating the FP45. Santa Fe took delivery of the first nine FP45's in December of 1967. Numbered 100-108, they were painted in the red and silver warbonnet passenger scheme with black Roman-style Santa Fe lettering on the sides. The cowl offered a cleaner engine compartment and internal walkways, both of which would lead to production of the F45, a regular SD45 with the cowl. Santa Fe acquired forty F45's in 1968, numbered 1900-1939 and delivered in the blue and yellow 'pinstripe' scheme. The second twenty were equipped with steam lines for use on passenger trains. When Amtrak took over passenger service the FP45's went into the freight pool, receiving blue and yellow paint. The pinstripe paint scheme gave way to the blue and yellow warbonnet scheme by 1980. Milwaukee Road was the other railroad that bought FP45's. Arriving in late 1968 for Hiawatha passenger service, they wore the UP yellow and gray scheme and were numbered 1-5. They differed from other F45's and FP45's as they did not have dynamic brakes installed. Even before Amtrak arrived these locomotives were re-assigned to freigt service between Chicago and the Twin Cities. The Genesis FP45 Features: DCC Ready with NMRA socket; 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; 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 FP45 Parts Diagram by clicking on the image below:  Deadline: May 16, 2008. ETA: October, 2008. |