Midwestern Model Works SD45's and related SD/FP family members

I would be interested in some smaller diesels...GP40-2's, 38-2's..etc.

I love the fact that it will be made in the USA too!

Ummmm, I don't really want to play spoiler, but it says right under the list of various models that the bodies are assembled and painted in Korea.

Jim

It's the drive that's made in the USA

Looks promising, SD-45 and SDP-45's especially, I wonder how many reservations they have?

This is the first I've seen or heard of this as well. Great news though as I've been hoping for a decent O Scale SD45 for a really long time so I hope this works out and the project moves forward.

Here is the link to their website:

http://midwesternmodelworks.com/

John

Interesting project. They're also doing the SD45-2 B-units in ATSF. I had to ask about pricing and delivery which means I probably can't afford them, but if there's a chance...

I am in for a FP45 in the Warbonnet Red . I would like to see a photo of a production model.

Bernie

Note that if you "hack" it or damage it, you void the warranty. I like some of the listed featurs though. Too bad I cannot justify one, it looks to be an intersting project.

Way too early for a production model. Actually if you wait for a production model it will be too late to reserve a model. We will have to trust that Erik will produce a First Class Model. If you've seen his drive you will have no doubts about what he will produce. From what I see on his web site he's trying to produce the Finest "O" Scale Diesels ever.

Seems like Erik has a great ideal, the best of both worlds, a highly detailed painted body built in Korea (impossible to do here) and a his incredible drive train completely built by Erik here in the USA. And Proto48 or 5' models. If you haven't see his drive in action you can at the Chicago of Indy shows. No other drive has ever come close to what Erik produces.

What more could anyone want?

Why would anyone would want to 'hack" one of Erik's drives. They are flawless.

Thanks for the insight Roger.

I was clueless as to who Midwestern Model Works was until this morning but several friends have since told me they have met him and have seen his drive at the March meet, all of them said the same thing about his drive as you.

I emailed Erik at Midwestern Model Works today to ask him about the project and I really liked his response. If anyone is interested in the details email him to find out more.

The contact email address listed on their website is:

info@midwesternmodelworks.com

John

Hmm,maybe because I am an incorigable tinkerer . . .

Pffft, FP45s again and no SDP40-2Fs? Gonna have to ask him.

I got an E-mail from Erik this afternoon. Really tempted to put in a reservation. Right now I feel like I'm about to jump into the deep end of the pool.

I'll jump with you Matt.

John

quote:

Originally posted by SRoten:
Hmm,maybe because I am an incorigable tinkerer . . .

You would really tinker with the best drive ever produced? Why?
I "tinkered" with all my early Overland drive to make them actually
operate, built new motor mounts, added Pittman 9000 motors with flywheels, etc.
They now actually run like they should have to begin with. Erik's drive is as close to perfection as I think you can get, my opinion with my Mechanical Engineering Degree.
Erik has 2 of my Overland U50's to re-power and I can hardly wait to get them back with a totally new drive. His drive will start to move on 0.5 volts and almost 0 amps.

I will have to email him to see if the correct truck sideframes will be with each different phases of SD45s. NW had three different truck sideframes. His list of roadnames looks great, but he does not mention paint schemes.
I may place and order of 4 of the N&W if they are correctly done with the correct side frames. Maybe a bicentennial N&W SD45! nw2124

Is this the same guy that builds this drive?(pic below) If it is, these will be outstanding runners. I talked to this gentleman at the Indy show in September for about a half hour while examining the drive pictured, and I must say that I was completely blown away by how smooth and slowly it operated. I remember taking my finger and flicking it on the flywheel and was in complete awe at how easily the unit moved,as if it were a freewheeling freight car or a dummy locomotive. I hope the project moves forward and is a success. Once I get my layout to the running trains stage, I plan on upgrading the drives on several of my OMI diesels.


Travis

Superpower -

That's the same guy.

I am pretty sure I've seen this guy at the March Meet. If it is him, ( guy with long hair?) I think I'll pay more attention to his work now.