Kato N scale SD45 diesel locomotive

This well-detailed N scale General Motors Electro-Motive Division SD45 is an upgraded version of a Kato USA model first released in 1996. This model’s all-new mechanism is easy to convert to Digital Command Control (DCC).

The prototype. Built by EMD beginning in 1965, the SD45 was the first locomotive to use a single diesel engine with more than 16 cylinders. The SD45’s 20-cylinder 20-645E3 diesel engine produced 3,600 hp. Electro-Motive built 1,260 SD45 locomotives for North American railroads.
 
The prototype for our review sample was delivered to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. in October 1966 and was originally numbered 1840 by the railroad. The locomotive was renumbered 5540 in 1970. In December 1982, as part of a remanufacturing program, the locomotive was designated an SD45u and renumbered 5345. At that time the locomotive was also repainted in the “Kodachrome” paint scheme in anticipation of a merger between the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific railroads. After the federal government failed to approve this merger, the Santa Fe repainted no. 5345 in its warbonnet freight scheme.

Most of the Kato model’s dimensions match drawings of a prototype SD45 published in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia: Vol.2, Diesel Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co., out of print). The coupler shanks of the Kato couplers on the model are each one scale foot longer than the length shown in the drawing.

The model. The molded detail, including access hatches along the long hood,  on the N scale locomotive matches the prototype. Separately applied detail parts include a three-chime air horn, m.u. hoses on the pilots, and scale-profile handrails. The model doesn’t have the cab roof antenna and other details specific to the Santa Fe prototype.
 
The model’s paint matches prototype photos. The placement of the “SF” on the sides of the long hood is correct. On the engineer’s side the letters are farther forward than on the fireman’s side. This was done in anticipation of the “SP” to be added for the SPSF logo.

The separation lines between all the colors are well-defined. The shade of yellow used on the model looks more orange than the prototype’s.

Mechanism and performance. The body shell is press fit, so it can be removed without tools. The motor and flywheels are encased by a split die-cast metal frame. A printed-circuit board with two light-emitting diodes for the headlights is on top of the frame.

The headlights operate automatically according to the locomotive’s direction, which is unlike a prototype locomotive where the engineer must manually turn the headlights on or off. The red number boards, which are correct for this paint scheme, are set in illuminated boxes.

Both Digitrax and Train Control Systems make board-replacement DCC decoders for this model. You can find more information at www.digitrax.com and www.tcsdcc.com.

I tested the Kato SD45 with an MRC Tech 4 power pack. I was impressed by how smoothly the locomotive ran at its slowest speed of .5-scale mph. At 12 volts the model’s 190-scale mph top speed was much higher than the top speed of the prototype. The mechanism was exceptionally quiet at all speeds.

The SD45 ran well along our Salt Lake Route N scale layout, which has a minimum radius of 10″ and no. 6 turnouts. If you need a six-axle second-generation diesel for your N scale layout, the Kato SD45 is definitely worth a look.

Price: $105

Manufacturer
Kato USA Inc.
100 Remington Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173
www.katousa.com

Era: 1965 to present

Road names (two road numbers each): Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe “Kodachrome” pre-merger scheme, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Great Northern “Big Sky Blue” scheme. GN no. 400 “Hustle Muscle” green and orange scheme also available.

Features

• All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
• Metal wheels in gauge
• Body-mounted Kato operating couplers at correct height with user-installed trip pins
• Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual brass flywheels
• Minimum radius: 93⁄4″
• Weight: 3.5 ounces