Description
FOR ACTUAL ROAD NUMBER, SEE PRODUCT TITLE.
The Alco PA series locomotives are considered by many to be the most attractive
diesel locomotives ever produced. The PA locomotives were built by a partnership
of American Locomotive and General Electric between 1946 and 1953. They offered
two models, the PA-1 initially followed by the PA-2. Both were powered by Alcos
16-cylinder 244 diesel engine generating 2,000 HP in the PA-1 and 2,250 in the
PA-2.
The PA locomotives were designed to compete with General Motors EMD E-units in
the passenger locomotive market. While one could argue the Alcos won in style,
they did not win in reliability. Their 244 prime movers could not unseat the EMD
567, and the PAs were demoted to secondary service on many lines. Most were
retired as passenger service declined in the 1960s, and nearly all were
scrapped.
Happily for railrfans, in 1974 four retired Santa Fe units were bought by the
Delaware and Hudson and sent to Morrison-Knudsen for rebuilding and upgrading
with Alco 251 V-12 engines. These four units were used on Amtraks Adirondack
for several years and also saw service on Boston area commuter trains under an
MBTA lease. All four units eventually ended up in Mexico.
Two of the ex-D&H units have since been brought back to the US, one residing at
the Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, Texas. The other unit is
privately owned by Doyle McCormack and is being restored to operating condition
painted as Nickel Plate #190.
Rapidos all-new HO scale model will be the first mass-produced plastic HO scale
model of the PA series to feature completely accurate contours and road-specific
details. Carbody contours have been generated using a 3-D laser scan of Doyle
McCormacks preserved unit. Both PA-1/PB-1 and PA-2/PB-2 variants will be
offered.
Our first run of HO Scale Alco PA models feature:
-
Correct nose and roof profiles 3D-scanned from the prototype - Loads
of roadname-specific details - A
units and A-B sets available -
Dynamic or non-dynamic brake versions, where appropriate - Full
underbody piping and conduit -
Separate grab irons and handrails installed at the factory -
Etched-metal grilles, where appropriate - Lit
number boards, headlights and green and white class lights - Lit
control stands and full cab interior -
Operating Gyralite or red Mars light, where appropriate -
Rapidos proven drive system adapted from the FA-2 -
DC/Silent (21-pin DCC Ready)
Available as single powered A-units or in A+B powered sets
Detail Variations:
-
Dynamic Brakes -
Correct lighted body side and rooftop number boards -
Nose-side ladders -
Nose MU receptacles -
Correct stainless paint finish on sides -
Lever style pilot uncoupling lever
