Generatig 3,600 horsepower and built between 1968 and 1971, EMD's F45 production totals 86 examples for three railroads: Santa Fe, Great Northern and Burlington Northern. The Athearn model arrives in 1974 and was offered in all three prototype owner dress. Unlike the similar FP45, released at the same time as the F45, Athearn did not produce any fantasy scheme F45 models like the Amtrak and B&O FP45 releases. Thanks to their cowl carbody design, both the F45 and FP45 feature correct width hoods. The F45 was issued in one style only, equipped with dynamic brakes. This is accurate for all three prototypes.

The FP45 would see competitor examples in HO-scale from Lima in Italy and Mehano of Yugoslavia, but Athearn remained alone in the offering of a plastic F45.