Athearn 86870 HO Scale EMD SD45T-2 Southern Pacific SP 9340

The SD45T-2 is a six-axle diesel electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division having a 20-cylinder 645-series diesel engine producing 3600 horsepower. Over 200 examples were produced between 1972 and 1975. This locomotive including the SD40T-2 were nick-named “Tunnel Motors” due to the rear cool air intake lowered to just above the walkway at the rear of the locomotive. This helped provide cooler air into the locomotive’s radiator cooling system and ultimately reducing the chance of the engine overheating in tunnels.

To help combat locomotives overheating in tunnels, SP and EMD developed the SD40T-2 and SD45T-2 models. The “T” (or Tunnel) refers to the modified design of moving the air intake lower near the rear end walkway to bring in cooler air and thus reducing engine overheating in tunnels. With the success of the EMD SD45, SP ordered the SD45T-2, needing the higher HP to help move heavy freight over the steep grades of Donner and Tehachapi. SP was pleased with the results and ordered over 200 units from 1972 to 1975 becoming part of the backbone of their locomotive fleet.

FEATURES:

• Full SP front headlight package w/ cab gyralight (Operates in DCC mode)
• “L” window cab
• Roof A/C and bell
• Nathan P-3 Horn
• Large front and rear plow
• Large front anticlimber
• Fine scale handrails
• Photo-etched windshield wipers
• Separately applied air tanks
• LED Lighting
• HTC truck sideframes
• See-through cab windows
• Welded electrical cabinet air filter box
• All-wheel electrical pickup
• See-through dynamic brake fans
• Separately applied wire grab irons
• Rubber trainline and MU hoses with silver ends
• Standard late Dash-2 cab with or without “L” window per prototype
• See-through radiator grilles with new rear truck gearbox specific for the tunnel motor
• Speed recorder attached to appropriate axle per prototype (except undecorated)
• McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for trouble-free operation
• Chassis accepts Genesis motor retro fit kit for an even higher performance motor.
• DCC Ready 21-pin NEM Quick Plug™ technology
• Nickel plated, blackened machined wheels
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• Highly-detailed, injection molded body
• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

SPECIFICATIONS:

• DCC: Ready / 21-Pin NEM
• SOUND: Ready
• PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER: EMD
• Axles: 6
• LIGHTED: LED Lighting
• Minimum Age Recommendation: 14 years
• Is Assembly Required: No