Rapido Trains 1078031 HO EMD GP40 (DC/Silent): Rock Island - Blue Scheme: #3003
These GP40 locomotives pay tribute to over 50 years of mainline freight service by this venerable and ubiquitous General Motors product. From the first production order – built in 1965 for the New York Central – to modernized units serving second and third owners, there is sure to be a place on your layout for several of these hard-working Geeps.
As intermodal traffic gained popularity in the 1960s, the New York Central needed a fleet of high-horsepower diesels to move shipments quickly between coastal port cities and inland destinations. Already satisfied with EMD’s first-generation offerings, they placed an order for 50 new GP40s in 1965. Powered by a turbocharged 16-cylinder 645 prime mover making 3000 horsepower, these units quickly became commonplace on high-priority Flexi-Van trains. Numerous other railroads followed suit in acquiring fleets of GP40s, and they racked up millions of miles on Class 1 routes before many were sold off to regional and short lines. Many of these units have been rebuilt and continue to operate reliably to this day.
FEATURES:
- NEW! Tri-color class lights (where appropriate)
- NEW! Early-production truck, handrail and Automatic Train Stop details for New York Central units
- Equipped with licensed Cannon & Company 48” radiator and dynamic brake fans
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters and a silly number of separately applied parts
- Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating ditch lights and beacons (where appropriate)
- Road-specific battery box doors
- Highly detailed cab interior
- Correct fuel tank sizes per road number
- Multiple styles of stepwells
- See-through, etched-metal steps
- Appropriate cab or nose headlights
- Multiple truck sideframes tooled
- Multiple dynamic-brake hatches
- DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready)
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
NOTE: Preliminary artwork