I like many, as an SP modeler, had to order one. Must support Locos like this. I hope they do an Alco DH643 next. twood Rock. I need to correct you there are only 3 front windows. Both the SP and Demo version have the SP signature L window that was done to give the Engineer a more clear view ahead. SP modelers of the era luv this signature touch. Just like the SP light clusters. Can't wait for mine. I hiked behind the EMD plant in LaGrange when I was younger and took pix of their 'collection' which included the SD45X that was a long hot but fun day.
James , the layout looks great, just keep working at it , and don't forget about the update's on your progress , GOD BLESS, and stay on swift rail👍🖖🏼🙏😇💯%!!!
I lived in northern California from 1967-1984 and SD45's were very common. I may have seen the SD45X among them but as a teen, wouldn't have known enough to tell them apart from the standard SD45. I ordered the 9503 to mix in with my other ScaleTrains SD45's and tunnel motors. Nice looking loco. The demonstrators are nice looking but I don't have the extra funds to buy one as short lived as they were. I've got a lot of pre-ordered D&RGW engines due this fall to purchase. As an SP fan of the 70's, I'm still waiting for ScaleTrains to offer the standard SP SD45 with the L-shaped windshields and high mount brake cylinders. I would like to disable the startup sound sequence on all my sound locos.
As always Great review Sir! They both look and sound Amazing! Scale trains never disappoints in my opinion and by far the leaders of the Pack! I definitely agree with the pre-ordering with Scale Trains that's the way I go! Can't wait till December for the first 5 CSX Heritage Units to arrive! B Safe......
Very nice, James! I got an EMD demonstrator unit on the way, and seeing these in action has me very excited! Also, it'll get here just in time for the Club's annual October display, so we'll know for sure exactly how many cars this thing will pull then!
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. I WANT SEVEN OF THEM, FOR SOUTHERN PACIFIC. THEIR NUMBERS WERE 9500-9505. SP HAD SIX OF THESE. EMD RETAINED ONE. THERE WAS SEVEN BUILT.
Very Nicely Done Locomotives ! And as usual You do a Fine narration James ! I Like the Surface Rust on the Couplers and Wheels ! The Only flaw I see is with the Gyra Light that goes off during its rotation . On the Real Loco it stays constantly Lit
At $379.00 for a sound unit I expected better couplers. The SP front coupler was down by a half which is pretty poor when compared to a 1970's Tyco with horn hook type. Still it is a beauty from any angle and no doubt once broke in a smooth runner. I would say a very good model if you have that kind of money.
Really nice Locomotive. Many details. But what’s the difference to the regular Rivet Counter models? The big blow turbine had things like a moving turbine, doors to open etc. but I can’t see the difference here to rivet counter
Haven’t watched the complete review but I did get one that came yesterday. It has a few more lighting features than regular rivet counter. It also has frog/ rail joint detectors for the clank sound. The trucks have been modeled to be more prototypical with independent traction motors. The wheels are painted which they started doing a year ago and all releases since have had. The radiator grills also have grimy shading which might also be new, but I’m not sure. Overall though you’re right, there isn’t a world of difference between this and rivet counter
the main difference in this locomotive versus other regular diesels is the lighted cab control stand and I believe an extra speaker and that detection of flange squeal through turnouts.
@@jlwii2000 I have tried that before as well! They just don’t get to a brightness level that I would consider prototypical vs aftermarket LEDs. That’s an area I think ScaleTrains really needs to step up. Their lighting for a lot of their engines is just not good enough
Algorithm hasn’t fed me your channel in years sadly but plus side you’ve got so many reviews that I can watch for an hour or two to catch up and see all these locos that don’t fit my modeled eras or budget. Would love to own a museum quality scale trains model my highest quality engine is a rivarossi u28c and I just need to put a speaker in it and it’d be fully dcc sound absolutely amazing detailing on it
I've had 0 issues with the Scaletrains Rivet Counter couplers (which are METAL, NOT PLASTIC, as some people claim), they've always worked good and they seem pretty durable! The couplers used on the Operator and Kit Classics lines, which are plastic, are more of a mixed bag, sometimes they work good, other times they don't work so good.
Well, I have rivet counter products, and a museum big blow, I've had to change the couplers on the two tier 4 out of three and on the B unit and the Tinder because they have came apart at our club multiple Witnesses scale trains couplers stay open sometimes the return spring is not strong enough
Independent Brake sound works while moving. When barake is applied, the loco comes to a stop. When you press F11 again, the air release sounds and the loco moves forward.
Boy oh boy you are 100 correct...I'd rather invest in my retirement now....can't even get a athearn locomotive for under 50.00 and detail it the way I want ...
@@colinmyster7750 by sneezing at it and parts go flying off??? Every RTR engine I buy gets stripped and redetailed using plastic cement and not acc glue. Thankfully I model a railway were only frateschi has factory painted locomotives but I still need to kitbash GT18s, GT22, and GT26s...my 2 SD40Rs and all my SD40T-2s get stripped then I get charged to recycle the solution
These 45’s are amazing. Definitely not for me as I’m still waiting for them to make the 45’s that would fit my region I model, the Reading Lines, and I feel they would do the Reading 45’s justice given their unique cab design for the dual throttle setup and if they would do the matching GP30’s and GP35’s that would be a plus. They’ve done the 30’s in the past and have acquired the tooling from MTH for the 35’s.
Scaletrains need to straighten up their locomotive sills that's why you have coupler problems that's where your cons are for the amount of money that you are spending to buy them.
The reason for the molded plastic chains instead of real ones is basically for easier access to the mechanism for maintenance. Atlas and Intermountain locomotives, which do have actual chains, can be a little trickier to get the shells off because of this.
I WISH I COULD GET THESE IN NONPOWERED MODELS. THEY COST TOO MUCH FOR ME TO AFFORD TO BUY THEM. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE MAKERS OF THIS UNIQUE DIESEL WOULD OFFER THEM AT A PRICE THAT EVEN THE BEGINNER CAN GET THEM. THE HUGHER THE PRICE, THE LESS NUMBER OF THESE LICOS YOU WILL SELL! WHY THE HIGH. PRICES? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THE LOWER THE PRICES, THE MORE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SELL?
This is Scaletrains top of the line model called Museum Quality. It’s got more lighting and more extensive detail that their other two lines of products. That is why they price it this high. And since this a one off type model, the prices will be more to cover the tooling and mold costs to produce the model.
That's what the Operator and Kit Classics lines are for! The SD45X, being a model owned by only one railroad (not counting the demonstrators) and produced in such small numbers (only 7 were built), it would make no sense to do an Operator version, even if Scaletrains still produced locomotives for that line! I actually asked Drayton awhile back about any possibility of bringing the Operator line locomotives back eventually (FYI: that lineup constisted of the ES44AC, ET44AC, SD40-2, SD45, and C44-9W), and he told me that the market has heavily shifted to the Rivet Counter and Museum Quality lines, and that there are no plans to bring back the Operator locomotives at least for the foreseeable future. All is not lost for the Operator and Kit Classics lines as a whole, though, as it seems the market for cheaper and more entry level rolling stock seems to be much stronger there!
I like many, as an SP modeler, had to order one. Must support Locos like this. I hope they do an Alco DH643 next. twood Rock.
I need to correct you there are only 3 front windows. Both the SP and Demo version have the SP signature L window that was
done to give the Engineer a more clear view ahead. SP modelers of the era luv this signature touch. Just like the SP light clusters. Can't wait for mine.
I hiked behind the EMD plant in LaGrange when I was younger and took pix of their 'collection' which included the SD45X that was a long hot but fun day.
Your demeanor is spot on, hard to be an expert on every single bolt, headlight, antenna, etc, etc considering all the things you review!
thanks, I appreciate people that understand that concept more than you could imagine!
James , the layout looks great, just keep working at it , and don't forget about the update's on your progress , GOD BLESS, and stay on swift rail👍🖖🏼🙏😇💯%!!!
Been out of the hobby for several years & stumbled onto this in my feed. Wow the hobby has gotten pricey. But what hasn’t…
I lived in northern California from 1967-1984 and SD45's were very common. I may have seen the SD45X among them but as a teen, wouldn't have known enough to tell them apart from the standard SD45. I ordered the 9503 to mix in with my other ScaleTrains SD45's and tunnel motors. Nice looking loco. The demonstrators are nice looking but I don't have the extra funds to buy one as short lived as they were. I've got a lot of pre-ordered D&RGW engines due this fall to purchase. As an SP fan of the 70's, I'm still waiting for ScaleTrains to offer the standard SP SD45 with the L-shaped windshields and high mount brake cylinders. I would like to disable the startup sound sequence on all my sound locos.
should be an easy cv setting for the startup disable and you'll be good to go!
Looking forward to getting mine soon. Great video man!
As always Great review Sir! They both look and sound Amazing! Scale trains never disappoints in my opinion and by far the leaders of the Pack! I definitely agree with the pre-ordering with Scale Trains that's the way I go! Can't wait till December for the first 5 CSX Heritage Units to arrive! B Safe......
Outstanding Video. ! 🇺🇲😎
Good video 😊
Hi James & it's is Randy and i like yours video is Cool & Thanks James & Friends Randy
Off to purchase one now,,,great review as always
thanks!
Very nice, James! I got an EMD demonstrator unit on the way, and seeing these in action has me very excited! Also, it'll get here just in time for the Club's annual October display, so we'll know for sure exactly how many cars this thing will pull then!
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT. I WANT SEVEN OF THEM, FOR SOUTHERN PACIFIC. THEIR NUMBERS WERE 9500-9505. SP HAD SIX OF THESE. EMD RETAINED ONE. THERE WAS SEVEN BUILT.
get em while they're hot, haha.
Very Nicely Done Locomotives ! And as usual You do a Fine narration James ! I Like the Surface Rust on the Couplers and Wheels ! The Only flaw I see is with the Gyra Light that goes off during its rotation . On the Real Loco it stays constantly Lit
thank you!
At $379.00 for a sound unit I expected better couplers. The SP front coupler was down by a half which is pretty poor when compared to a 1970's Tyco with horn hook type. Still it is a beauty from any angle and no doubt once broke in a smooth runner. I would say a very good model if you have that kind of money.
Southern Pacific goes on and on and on😊
Are the wheels "pre weathered". They look reddish brown?
At 14:18 James has a section of the video that says Rust Colored Wheels
yep
Really nice Locomotive. Many details. But what’s the difference to the regular Rivet Counter models?
The big blow turbine had things like a moving turbine, doors to open etc. but I can’t see the difference here to rivet counter
Haven’t watched the complete review but I did get one that came yesterday. It has a few more lighting features than regular rivet counter. It also has frog/ rail joint detectors for the clank sound. The trucks have been modeled to be more prototypical with independent traction motors. The wheels are painted which they started doing a year ago and all releases since have had. The radiator grills also have grimy shading which might also be new, but I’m not sure. Overall though you’re right, there isn’t a world of difference between this and rivet counter
@@kedarseetal1975 I must admit that I love the frog rail joint detector with my Big blow turbine.
That should be standard soon with rivet counter
the main difference in this locomotive versus other regular diesels is the lighted cab control stand and I believe an extra speaker and that detection of flange squeal through turnouts.
@@jlwii2000 I have to admit, that this detector is actually really nice! I wish this would be a standard feature for ALL rivet counter models.
Mine derails and might be because of those detectors unfortunately.
I have 9503 coming. I'm eager to get my hands on it.
So how you you fix the low couplers on these Scale Trains SD45X locos, when the top of the shank is touching the coupler pocket?
I use thin washer if they're bad or sometimes the coupler box just needs to be tightened by turning the screw clockwise.
@@jlwii2000 Thank-you...
Nice looking models!
Though my chief complaint with ScaleTrains is still present, the headlights and Mars lights are way too dim.
Can be changed with cv's usually
@@jlwii2000 I have tried that before as well!
They just don’t get to a brightness level that I would consider prototypical vs aftermarket LEDs.
That’s an area I think ScaleTrains really needs to step up.
Their lighting for a lot of their engines is just not good enough
Algorithm hasn’t fed me your channel in years sadly but plus side you’ve got so many reviews that I can watch for an hour or two to catch up and see all these locos that don’t fit my modeled eras or budget. Would love to own a museum quality scale trains model my highest quality engine is a rivarossi u28c and I just need to put a speaker in it and it’d be fully dcc sound absolutely amazing detailing on it
So almost $400 for a locomotive and you still got to put in another $6 in couplers where is the museum quality
sometimes the couplers work fine, other times they don't it just depends.
I've had 0 issues with the Scaletrains Rivet Counter couplers (which are METAL, NOT PLASTIC, as some people claim), they've always worked good and they seem pretty durable! The couplers used on the Operator and Kit Classics lines, which are plastic, are more of a mixed bag, sometimes they work good, other times they don't work so good.
Well, I have rivet counter products, and a museum big blow, I've had to change the couplers on the two tier 4 out of three and on the B unit and the Tinder because they have came apart at our club multiple Witnesses scale trains couplers stay open sometimes the return spring is not strong enough
Independent Brake sound works while moving. When barake is applied, the loco comes to a stop. When you press F11 again, the air release sounds and the loco moves forward.
They need the SD-45 2xR on the 9503. The v16 .
It's really hard for me to watch this because, I remember a time when it was affordable to do model railroading.
That's right. Plenty of affordable model trains.. Especially in HO Scale...
Boy oh boy you are 100 correct...I'd rather invest in my retirement now....can't even get a athearn locomotive for under 50.00 and detail it the way I want ...
Yeah most high end models cost more than they are worth but you can’t argue the quality has gotten much much better
@@colinmyster7750 by sneezing at it and parts go flying off??? Every RTR engine I buy gets stripped and redetailed using plastic cement and not acc glue. Thankfully I model a railway were only frateschi has factory painted locomotives but I still need to kitbash GT18s, GT22, and GT26s...my 2 SD40Rs and all my SD40T-2s get stripped then I get charged to recycle the solution
I remember when groceries were affordable too. Everything is expensive.
These 45’s are amazing. Definitely not for me as I’m still waiting for them to make the 45’s that would fit my region I model, the Reading Lines, and I feel they would do the Reading 45’s justice given their unique cab design for the dual throttle setup and if they would do the matching GP30’s and GP35’s that would be a plus. They’ve done the 30’s in the past and have acquired the tooling from MTH for the 35’s.
Scaletrains need to straighten up their locomotive sills that's why you have coupler problems that's where your cons are for the amount of money that you are spending to buy them.
Thanks for the input, I'll keep an eye on that in the future.
6:01 ACI Plate!
Hope they bring gp40x
Athearn did the GP40X
I have 5740 in brass----750$ I'm waiting for my X's from ST's
No excuse for misaligned couplers straight out of the box. MRNA standards are well known and it's the only thing that has to be bang on functionally.
I’ll stick to Rivet counter.
You won't get the SD45X in rivet counter.
me neither
Why can’t they use real chains on the trucks?😎
The reason for the molded plastic chains instead of real ones is basically for easier access to the mechanism for maintenance. Atlas and Intermountain locomotives, which do have actual chains, can be a little trickier to get the shells off because of this.
@@randallellison6421 thank you
🫶🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
I WISH I COULD GET THESE IN NONPOWERED MODELS. THEY COST TOO MUCH FOR ME TO AFFORD TO BUY THEM.
IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE MAKERS OF THIS UNIQUE DIESEL WOULD OFFER THEM AT A PRICE THAT EVEN THE BEGINNER CAN GET THEM. THE HUGHER THE PRICE, THE LESS NUMBER OF THESE LICOS YOU WILL SELL! WHY THE HIGH. PRICES? DON'T YOU KNOW THAT THE LOWER THE PRICES, THE MORE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SELL?
NICE CAPS LOCK USE
It’s model railroading. Buy what you can afford like anything else in life.
This is Scaletrains top of the line model called Museum Quality. It’s got more lighting and more extensive detail that their other two lines of products. That is why they price it this high. And since this a one off type model, the prices will be more to cover the tooling and mold costs to produce the model.
That's what the Operator and Kit Classics lines are for! The SD45X, being a model owned by only one railroad (not counting the demonstrators) and produced in such small numbers (only 7 were built), it would make no sense to do an Operator version, even if Scaletrains still produced locomotives for that line! I actually asked Drayton awhile back about any possibility of bringing the Operator line locomotives back eventually (FYI: that lineup constisted of the ES44AC, ET44AC, SD40-2, SD45, and C44-9W), and he told me that the market has heavily shifted to the Rivet Counter and Museum Quality lines, and that there are no plans to bring back the Operator locomotives at least for the foreseeable future. All is not lost for the Operator and Kit Classics lines as a whole, though, as it seems the market for cheaper and more entry level rolling stock seems to be much stronger there!