Rapido Trains 34002 HO Scale GP40TC Diesel Canadian National "Blue Scheme" CN 607 - DC
To power most of its new trains, GO turned to GMDD in London Ontario. GMDD responded with an all-new purpose-built locomotive: the GP40TC. Largely based on EMD’s new GP40 freight locomotive on a stretched platform, the GP40TC was powered by a 3000 turbocharged 16-645 prime mover with a smaller EMD 12V-149 for HEP.
Constructed in 1966, these were delivered several months in advance of the start of service, and most were pressed into freight service by CN. Painted solid dark blue with red railings and a small white CN noodle on the cab, these were regularly seen in freight service in Southern Ontario. Early in 1967, they were returned to London for the installation of the HEP equipment. Repainted in full GO livery in the spring of ‘67, all 8 units were on hand for the beginning of service on May 23, 1967.
Over time, GO renumbered and made several modifications to all the GP40TC fleet. This included modifications to the HEP setup with mufflers to make them quieter, as well as changes to the rear anticlimber setup.
By the late 1980s, GO decided to retire the GP40TC fleet in favor of the new F59PH, which went on to be their standard power through the 2000s.
After their illustrious careers for GO Transit, all 8 GP40TCs, along with the F40PH fleet, were sold to Amtrak in 1988. They were be repainted into Amtrak’s Phase III scheme and dispatched into revenue service. Some were placed into Hiawatha service and could be seen with Metra’s Gallery Cars running between Milwaukee and Chicago. Their mainstay was on short haul “intercity” trains in the Midwest. A few were assigned to Albany-Rensselaer and hauled such trains as the Maple Leaf, Adirondack, Empire Service runs and the Lake Shore Limited. A few found their way into Auto-Train service, as well!
The GP40TC fleet was rebuilt multiple times throughout their careers on Amtrak. Their current assignment sees them in work train service on the Northeast Corridor and Empire Service areas. They are now classified as “GP38H-3”, after their mid-2000s rebuild. Nearly 60 years of service since leaving the shop floors of London, Ontario!
FEATURES:
- Design created from original drawings and measurements
- Rapido’s innovative dead straight metal side handrails with plastic stanchions
- Incredible underframe detail including traction motor cables, air filters, HEP cabling and more
- Cannon and Company licensed fan designs
- See-through, etched steps
- Separate metal grab irons and handrails installed at the factory
- Operating headlights, rear lights, marker lights, and inspection and walkway lights
- Suggested minimum radius: 18”
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready