In 1966, the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors introduced a completely new line of locomotives based on its all-new 645-series prime mover. Of the new offerings, the most powerful was the six-axle, six-motor SD45.  With 3,600 horsepower on tap from its V-20 prime mover, the SD45 commanded the most demanding high-horsepower assignments for expedited freight across the United States.  Between 1966 and 1971, 1,260 SD45s were constructed for over twenty railroads.

Arriving now at your favorite dealer is the latest release of EMD SD45 locomotives from Broadway Limited Imports. Each BLI SD45 offers road-specific details that capture the spirit and flavor of each railroad. Liveries for this release include Great Northern (Big Sky Blue), Wheeling and Lake Erie (black, high-nose), Helm Leasing (HLCX), Erie Lackawanna (Bicentennial), Louisville & Indiana (PRR Maroon/Gold), MPI (blue/gold), Montana Rail Link, Wisconsin Central (standard maroon/gold and Operation Lifesaver), and Southern Pacific (experimental Daylight).    Each locomotive is available either with Paragon4 DCC+Sound for $389.99 MSRP or DC/DCC-ready for $259.99 MSRP each. Multiple road numbers per livery where appropriate.

Broadway Limited Imports; 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; (386) 673-8900; Broadway-limited.com

Wheeling and Lake Erie purchased used high-nosed SD45s from the Norfolk and Western.  Now available from Broadway Limited are replicas of these W&LE brutes for HO scale.

After being rebuilt with a 16-cylinder prime mover, the Southern Pacific painted its sole “SD44R” 7399 in an experimental red/orange paint scheme inspired by its legendary midcentury Daylight passenger trains. Road-specific features on this replica of 7399 include the full SP warning light package installed front and rear and a large pilot snowplow.