It's what we've all been waiting for. Athearn is doing smith run of frisco sd45s. Road numbers this time will be 944, 945 and 947, which means all three will have gyro lights. Something new is that rtr models will now be offered with tsunami sound. I haven't looked to see pusher price yet, but msrp is $135 non sound, $185 sound. Now the hard question. How many to order. Ethan
Re: At heart sd45 re release Thanks Ethan, 135 no sound and 185 sound HHHMMM for 50 bucks maybe sound huh?
Re: At heart sd45 re release I have to admit the DCC stuff and sound is a mesmerizing thing. I have to wonder what and when DCC will evolve into, and where I may fit into that. I dont think DCC is done evolving.
Re: At heart sd45 re release Sorry about the typo on the thread. My phone autocorrected it and I didn't notice. As for as which version to order, I think its better to order without sound because the ones that come with sound don't have all the bells and whistles (pun intended) of the decoders you buy from tsunami and install your self. Just my 2c. Also, I checked wholesale trains, and toy train heaven and neither have the sd45 available for preorder yet. Ethan
Re: At heart sd45 re release Wonder why they are doing all of them with gyralights, since the majority of the Frisco SD45's didn't have them? Neat feature though. Nice model - glad they plan to run them again. They must have sold well the first time! Ken
Re: Athearn SD45 re-release From my post on the Athearn Genesis GP38-2 thread. "Note to group self - If Athearn ever announces another Frisco unit to be equiped with a gyralite, immediately send note to them to make sure a working gyralite is in the production specifications!" And don't forget a working roof beacon. Hopefully, Bob will be kind enough to remind the folks at Athearn that if they are going to the trouble of adding the correct light fixtures, then they should also work. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
Re: Athearn SD45 re-release I'll echo mark. It would be nice to take it out of the box and just hook up a few wires to my decoder and it's ready to go. If wst ever gets them posted, I would recommend anyone that wants one, order one now because last time they sold out fast and their appearances on eBay are scarce. Ethan
So far, when Athearn has released a locomotive with an OEM Tsunami, the horns available in the decoder have been correct; there would not be a need for the full complement of diesel horns Soundtraxx has in their arsenal. I would recommend ordering with sound, especially if the difference in price is $80 or less. You normally can't buy the decoder and get it installed for less than $145.00.
Reading through the Athearn announcement, I noticed that they say "Athearn RTR Sound by Soundtraxx" and do not mention the word Tsunami. I still agree that for most people the $50 adder for DCC/sound will be worth it. Athearn does state that these locos will be DCC and sound ready which should mean that there will be room for a speaker, thus making it an easy conversion for those who opt to do so. Keith Edgington
Re: At heart sd45 re release After speaking with Keith Robinson this morning we both agree that from a manufacturers perspective the more bells and whistles (aka gyralight in this instance), the more enticing an offering is. Compare it to buying a new car and looking at the sticker. The answer as to how well they sold the first time is YES, they actually sold out immediately. In response to another posters concern, the feature listing clearly states that the gyralight would be operational. As I've stated before, my contact at Athearn asked that we accept their sincere heartfelt apology for omitting the bulb the previous time. I guess that in some peoples eyes seeing is believing and they won't be convinced until the GP40's arrive and go gyrating happily down the track. Same applies here.
In a separate conversation with a contact within Soundtraxx this afternoon, I learned that the decoder that will be used in the RTR line is different than that used in the Genesis line. Supposedly there are only three lighting function outputs; Front Headlight, Rear Headlight and one other. Athearn's spec sheet on the SD45 states that it will have an "Illuminated beacon" and an Illuminated nose gyra-light. That could be interpreted to mean that they may be connected together on one output, with the headlights on separate outputs. Additionally, I was told that although the RTR decoder will support the Braking Function, the Brake Squeal sound will not be included.
With respect to Keith and all my good friends on this website. I realize, I may be stepping on some toes here but, I honestly want to say; If the brakes are squealing with composition brake shoes, we got bigger problems, LOL. Thats just part of the "any noise is better than no noise" issue. Sound should not simply be diluted to any noise available. While locos are idling, and they may idle for days at a time, there should be dryer valves spitting all the time, air compressors on and off line all the time. At the end of the day, when you leave yard limits, and lean into a grade, these locos should be pulling with all they have, run 8, every DCC operation sounds like were at at throttle 3-4 or similar throttle, while ascending any grade, whether it .05, .5, or 5.0%, while they should, and would have been in throttle 8 for a "while". Similarly where is the dynamic brake whine? If you have been around any locomotives under a load, whether in draft, or buff, they are noisy and definable at work. That's exactly why I am not DCC yet. When DCC makes that final move to realism, I will be on board, heart and soul. Otherwise my friends, its just noise to me. Sorry, but when you have lived on these things, doing their job, I myself would like to see their efforts better represented. I dont want to start a DCC flame war here, but for me... Thanks but no thanks, YET!! I remain confident that Keith and my many other friends will be at the forefront of such software. And will gladly convert upon such a monumental realization. Again, not trying to be a affront, but, lets be keeping it real.
I also like the sound to be as realistic as possible. I enjoy the decoder sound, but don't think they are quite up to the throttle 8, it really is massive in 8. Again with all due respect, to me, some is better than none, but I would like it better. The brake squeel, sound is kinda nice on the switch engines. Would be nice to hear a little rail squeel, popping, like around curves. When the train is drifting, rail squeel, to me, being a track guy is nice. Have tried the, whats called "scale sound" some say the 3 foot rule, but "like them loud" thats my memories. ​Although, it is very different, if you have rode engines a lot, for me especially, about 1 or 2 am, up logan hill with 5 units horsing in 8 throttle, running about 8 to 12 mph and 15K tons.
Agree! The SD45's sounded great working east up Rolla Hill coming up from Newburg! No U-boat chugging from these guys - a real throaty chant. Ken
I gotta agree some of the sounds are really good, like the horns and the light control and stuff like that is just plain incredible, to a guy like me that uses slide switches I wish when Keith was out here that he and his traveling companion would have had more time to really get into showing me the ins and outs of the newer DCC stuff. Maybe next time. I agree William, rail squeal and popping would be a great thing too. Need to have some wheel slip at the oilers too.
Tom, all the things you describe are configurable on Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders. Automatic compressor on/off, spitter valves, manual notching (if you want it), and dynamic brakes (with various throttle responses when dynamics are turned on), not to mention the lighting functions. However, the main reason that I revisited this thread was I got a poke by Factory Direct Trains about the new Athearn RTR SD45s with sound for $147.98 plus shipping: http://factorydirecttrains.com/PREORDERAthearnRTRATH65108SD45w/DCCandSoundFrisco947HO.aspx. They are accepting $0.01 pre-orders for all three numbers; 944, 945, and 947.
