When the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway sought to restore glamour to its premier passenger trains in the late 1960s, it turned to EMD’s final word in streamlined diesel design: the FP45. Delivered in 1967–1968, these 3,600 HP, full-cowl passenger locomotives combined the proven SD45 mechanical platform with elegant, aerodynamic styling intended for high-visibility service on the railroad’s most prestigious trains.
The FP45s became instant icons, first in gleaming Warbonnet red and silver, later in freight service blue-and-yellow, and finally in the revived red-and-silver Super Fleet scheme of the 1990s. Few locomotives represent Santa Fe’s evolving visual identity as completely as the FP45.
Sunset Models / 3rd Rail proudly recreates these locomotives in O Scale with a precision ABS body, die-cast chassis, and fine brass detail parts, delivering museum-grade presentation and performance.
Paint Schemes & Road Numbers Offered
As-Delivered Passenger Warbonnet (1968–1971)
The FP45s arrived to power trains such as the Super Chief, El Capitan, and Texas Chief, wearing the classic stainless-steel-inspired red and silver Warbonnet.
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1980s Freight Blue & Yellow “Bookend” Scheme
After Amtrak assumed most passenger service in 1971, Santa Fe reassigned the FP45s to freight duty. They received the striking blue-and-yellow “Freight Warbonnet” with yellow ends and Santa Fe billboard lettering.
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1990s Super Fleet Red & Silver (Freight Warbonnet Revival)
In the 1990s, Santa Fe restored several FP45s to red-and-silver for intermodal and priority freight service, creating some of the most photographed diesel locomotives of the decade.
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Model Features
• Precision ABS Plastic Shell with Die-Cast Metal Chassis
• Fine Brass Details Including Grilles, Handrails, Pilot Hardware, and Antennas
• Road-Specific Details — nose headlight variations, horn placements, antenna clusters, truck sideframe styles, and cooling system differences
• Powerful Can Motor Drive for smooth, quiet operation
• All-Wheel Drive and Electrical Pickup
• Advanced electronics: 3R ERR Cruise/TMCC/Railsounds compatible with TMCC/Legacy/DCS, 3R Conventional for your choice of sound, and 2R ESU Loksound 5.0. Blunami is available as well
• LED Lighting Suite — headlights, number boards, class/marker lights
• Minimum Curvature:
– O-54 (3-Rail)
– 48" minimum radius (2-Rail)
• ERR Cruise is compatible with Legacy, DCS, TMCC, and Conventional control systems, Blunami is not and indepently operated through the iPhone or Andriod Apps.
A Santa Fe Icon, Reborn in O Scale
From high-speed passenger assignments in the golden age of Santa Fe streamliners…
to hard-charging freight service in blue and yellow…
to their triumphant return in the 1990s Super Fleet…
…the FP45 remains one of the most recognizable locomotives ever to wear the Warbonnet.
This Sunset Models 3rd Rail release captures every era of this legendary locomotive, each produced with accuracy, presence, and the premium build quality your customers expect.
Reserve your Santa Fe FP45 now and bring home one of the most iconic diesel locomotives in American railroading.
Photos courtesy of brasstrains.com
