I came across this photo of my early Williams SD45. In 1979, while Williams was assembling FM Train Masters, Jerry Williams asked John Hubbard to design a new locomotive that would stand out from the crowd. Mr. Hubbard fashioned an SD45 body for a shortened FM Train Master frame. It was secured by 2 screws underneath each end instead of a screw above each pilot. This SD45 had Train Master truck sideframes and diecast fuel and air tanks.
On the last page (TIPS) of the May, 2014, issue of CLASSIC TOY TRAINS (Lionel 2368 B&O F-unit on the cover), Robert Rello uses bobby pins to replace broken plastic handrail supports on another early Williams SD45. His model has Train Master parts. When Williams made a big black plastic SD45 fuel tank and SD45 diecast truck sideframes, I purchased them at York and installed them. Easy as pie. Believe it or not, the SD45 truck sideframes camouflage the wide space between the second and third axles. I'll attach a photo of that, too.
These parts are available from Charlie Phillips: kc97trainsmto@aol.com
Picking up a recent Undecorated Topic, I bought this Undecorated SD45 as well as Undecorated F-unit AA's and an Undecorated 60' Madison set (that set from Mike Wolf at the Hamburg PA Dutch Train Meet founded by the late Sam Lenhart) so a custom painter in Pottstown could apply Reading schemes. I agree with other Forumites - undecorated items would sell today.
Williams undecorated trains were great for painting, detailing and customizing.
