Description
Rapido Trains Inc. is pleased to introduce the first mass-produced HO model of
the New Haven Railroads classic EP-5 electric locomotive.
The New Havens EP-5s are one of the most famous electric locomotives in
North America. Built by General Electric, the ten-strong class was delivered in
1955 dressed in the colorful McGinnis red, white and black paint scheme with
large NH logos on the sides and
The EP-5s were state-of-the-art for their time, being equipped with ignitron
rectifiers to convert the AC power from the overhead wires to DC for use in the
locomotives traction motors. They also carried third rail shoes and DC
auxiliaries to allow operation on the third-rail system into New York Citys
Grand Central Terminal. Crammed full of electronic equipment, the locos weighed
174 tons.
The EP-5s were put into service in the New Havens electrified Shore Line
route between New York and New Haven, Connecticut. They very quickly they earned
the nickname Jets because of the sound of the blower motors need to cool the
ignitron rectifiers.
Their flashy paint scheme combined with their operation in a highly populated
area meant that they quickly became well-known in the areas that they served.
Taking advantage of this popularity, in 1956 both A.C. Gilbert/American Flyer
and Lionel introduced models of Jets to their line-ups in S gauge and O gauge
respectively. Thus many small boys would grow up familiar with this
comparatively rare locomotive.
Like any locomotive in regular service, the Jets were modified over their
service lives. The first modifications came shortly after delivery when large
vents were added to the sides of the otherwise smooth bodies. These provided
extra cooling for the mass of electrical components within the cramped carbody.
The pantograph shoes were modified from a double shoe design to a single shoe
design at about the same time.
In the early 1960s the units had FRA-mandated nose grabs and walkways applied.
At about this time the paint scheme was modified slightly with the nose NH
being reduced in size and the nose road number increased in size and moved onto
the nose from its previous location at the top of the anticlimber. Side skirts
around the fuel and water tank were also removed at about this time.
Several EP-5s continued in service after the Penn Central merger in 1969
while others were stored (with the new class designation E40). The PC
transferred some units to former PRR territory where they were used in freight
service. The last Jet was retired in 1977, shortly after the formation of
Conrail. All ten units were scrapped.
Matter developed a bold multi-color scheme for the EP-5s and suggested two
possible color schemes one with red, white and black the other yellow, white
and black. GE painted one unit in each suggested scheme for review by New Haven
officials and, perhaps most importantly, Mrs. McGinnis! The lady preferred the
red, and so the yellow unit #372 was repainted at the factory before
delivery.
Rapido is offering a special one-time run of #372 in its experimental yellow
scheme. No collection of New Haven power is complete without one!
Six paint schemes
The model will be offered accurately painted for the New Haven in both common
schemes, early Penn Central black and the experimental yellow McGinnis scheme.
The EP-5 will be available as DC (DCC-Ready) or DC/DCC/Sound with working
pantographs. (DC pantographs can be manually raised or lowered).
HO Model Features:
-
Accurately scaled from prototype blueprints -
Period-correct detail options, including carbody, pantograph and hardware
variations -
Accurate paint and lettering -
Several road numbers per paint scheme (where applicable) -
Full cab interior -
New Haven delivery and repaint schemes (repainted
units have smaller NH logo on nose and re-positioned/larger nose road number) -
Directional operating pantographs (sound models only) -
DC/Silent or DC/DCC/Sound versions available -
DC/DCC/Sound version features an ESU Loksound decoder with accurate Jet
recordings -
Complete lighting package including headlights, class lights, ground lights
and cab interior lighting -
Factory-installed MacDonald-Cartier metal couplers
