Pre-Order | Next Shipment March 2026
Athearn Genesis - Item No. ATHG-2009
3.1 out of 5 Customer Rating

HO GEN SDP45 Locomotive, Legendary Liveries EMDX 'Demonstrator' #4355

$208.69
RC Club points earned on this item shown at checkout.
Electro-Motive Division was well-known for its demonstrator locomotives. These specially-painted units were owned by the builder and often toured around the United states railroad system to demonstrate the capabilities of a new locomotive model. Decorated to match the contemporary SD45 demonstrator scheme, these SDP45s would look right at home showing off their dual-service capabilities on whichever railroad you model!

ATHEARN EMD SDP45 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

In the 1960s, railroads were looking to replace aging EMD E-units and Alco PAs for passenger service. EMD responded by adding a steam generator compartment to the long hood end of their SD45. This required a longer frame and resulted in the creation of the SDP45. Three railroads originally purchased SDP45s: Southern Pacific, Great Northern, and Erie Lackawanna. Over the decades, the SDP45s were then acquired by other railroads through mergers, leasing companies, and rebuild programs.

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, protofreelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

ATHEARN EMD SDP45 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE MODEL FEATURES:

  • Flexible rubber trainline hose
  • Lift rings
  • Sander lines
  • Full cab interior
  • Windshield wipers
  • Flexible rubber MU hoses
  • Wire grab irons
  • Coupler cut levers
  • Walkway tread
  • Windshield wipers
  • Lit Number Boards & Class lights (if applicable)
  • DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
  • Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
  • Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes
  • Body-mounted McHenry® operating scale knuckle couplers
  • Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
  • All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  • All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
  • Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  • LED Lighting for realistic appearance
  • Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
  • Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
  • Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
  • Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
  • Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage
  • Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

  • Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
  • Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality
  • Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
  • Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
  • Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
  • Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
  • All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
  • Precision slow speed control
  • Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
  • CV chart included in the box

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE:

  • Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment
  • Faded base colors matched to the prototype
  • Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

  • #3201: Fresh red/grey repaint, hi-low brake cylinders, reserved for business train service / special company events
  • #3203: Faded colors, hi brake cylinders, removed cab icicle breakers, painted over class lights
  • #3207: Fresh red/grey repaint, hi-low brake cylinders, reserved for business train service / special company events
  • #6592: Ex-GN #326, hi brake cylinders, cab mounted MILW style electronic bell
  • #6593: Ex-GN #327, hi brake cylinders, cab mounted MILW style electronic bell
  • #6597: Ex-GN #331, hi-low brake cylinders, rear end numbers

SP FEATURES:

  • Forward Gyralights (Effect in DCC)
  • Forward Emergency Light (Effect in DCC)
  • Modified L window cab
  • Nathan P3 Horn
  • Roof mounted icicle breakers

BN FEATURES:

  • Ex-GN
  • Stratolite beacon (Effect in DCC)
  • Steam Generator details
  • Medium front plow
  • Road number specific details

WC FEATURES:

  • Ex-EL unit
  • WC-specific body details on rear
  • Updated colors vs prior release
  • Operating front and rear ditch lights
  • All-weather window
  • Removed class lights
  • 5000 gallon fuel tank

GN FEATURES:

  • Flashing beacon (Effect in DCC)
  • Steam Generator details
  • Medium front plow

MKCX FEATURES:

  • Leslie RS3L low-profile horn
  • Mixed Dynamic brake and radiator fan heights per prototype
  • EMD standard low snowplow
  • Class lights
  • 5000 gallon fuel tank

WAMX FEATURES:

  • Removed class lights
  • Operating front ditch lights
  • Nathan K3LA horn on bracket, mounted on long hood
  • Two Sinclair antennas
  • RV style air conditioners

SP 'Daylight' FEATURES:

  • Large Snowplow
  • Cab with modified L-window
  • Steam Generator
  • Bell mounted on cab roof
  • Multiple cab vents
  • Icicle Breakers
  • SP light package at front

EMD FEATURES:

  • L-window cab
  • Leslie RS4L low-profile horn
  • Steam generator
  • Low-brake trucks
  • Other build details similar to UP

UP FEATURES:

  • Icicle breakers
  • Small EMD style snowplow
  • High brake cylinders
  • UP-style Leslie RS3L horn between radiator fans
  • Western-Cullen Beacon (flash effect on DCC +sound version)
  • Winterization hatch
  • Steam Generator

BNSF FEATURES:

  • Hinged battery box doors
  • Removed class lights
  • Small EMD style snowplow
  • K3LA horn on bracket
  • No steam generator
  • High-brake trucks

HLCX FEATURES:

  • Ex-EL body with short fans
  • Removed class lights
  • Front ditch lights
  • Small front EMD plow

NYC FEATURES:

  • Steam Generator details
  • MU Catch w/footboards

Product Specs

Axles
4
Coupler Style
McHenry Scale Knuckle
DCC
Ready/21-Pin NEM
Era
1941-1970,1971-1990,1991-2009,2010-Present Day
Full Road Name
Electro-Motive Division
Lighting
LED
Minimum Radius
18
Prototype Manufacturer
EMD
Reporting Mark
EMDX
Scale
HO
Sub Brand
GENESIS
Wheel Configuration
C-C