HO SD45T-2 Locomotive Cotton Belt #9403 (ATH86880)

HO Scale SD45T-2 Tunnel Motor in Cotton Belt livery. This six-axle diesel-electric locomotive faithfully reproduces SP’s Cotton Belt SD45T-2 fleet from the 1970s and 1980s, capturing a weathered, in-service look with a nose headlight, a modified “L” window cab, roof air conditioning, and a Nathan P-3 horn, plus a large front plow and anticlimber. The Cotton Belt’s paint fades with heavy use and gyra lights were removed, providing an authentic starting point for grime and rust weathering, while LED lighting and a DCC-ready chassis support modern layout operation.

Detail and performance come together with fine-scale handrails, photo-etched windshield wipers, separately applied air tanks, and see-through cab and radiator features. It rides on an all-wheel-drive drivetrain with a precision 5-pole motor and flywheels for smooth, quiet operation, supported by nickel-plated, blackened machined wheels with RP25 contours for reliable tracking. McHenry scale-knuckle couplers ensure prototypical handling of freight consists, and a 21-pin NEM Quick Plug keeps DCC wiring straightforward (with some versions offering onboard SoundTraxx Economi sound for DC and DCC operation). The model’s minimum radius is 18 inches (22 inches recommended), making it compatible with a wide range of HO layouts. Its grime-ready finish mirrors the prototype’s faded base color, providing a realistic canvas for weathering to create a convincing Cotton Belt locomotive scene.