Description
Specifications
| Manufacturer | RAPIDO |
| Control | DC |
| SCALE | HO Scale |
| Railroad | AT&SF |
| Paint Scheme | ATSF Yellow Bonnet |
HO Scale U30CG Photo Courtesy: Ed Chapman Introducing the all-new General Electric U30CG diesel locomotives in HO scale! By the mid-1960s, most class one railroads couldn’t discontinue their passenger operations fast enough. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, however, went against the grain during this period and purchased new diesel locomotives from both EMD and GE. GE was first to respond with 10 U28CG diesels in 1966, delivered in the famous red and silver warbonnet scheme. While the ATSF was satisfied with the performance of the U28CG, their utilitarian freight-like design did not have the sleekness normally associated with Santa Fe passenger trains. The follow up order from GE introduced a whole new style more in line with the full-cowl FP45 that EMD was delivering at the same time. In addition to the 200 hp bump in power, the U30CG came complete with a full-width cowl carbody featuring steam generator equipment and stainless steel fluting to match the Santa Fe’s large passenger car fleet. The rounded nose up front also distinguished it from the earlier U28CG. A total of six U30CGs would be delivered in 1967, numbered 400-405. These were quickly pressed into service on many of the Santa Fe’s premier passenger trains such as Super Chief and the Grand Canyon Limited, as well as other secondary services like the Texas Chief and San Diegan. Despite their passenger focused design, the U30CG had very short careers in passenger service. A wreck in 1969 soured the ATSF on the big GE units and despite being cleared for service, they were mostly shifted to high priority freights. In the spring of 1970, all 6 were renumbered 8000-8005 and with few exceptions most would never lead a passenger train again. With the introduction of Amtrak in spring 1971, all six would be kept in the general freight pool until final withdrawal in 1980. Despite their short careers, these would wear several paint schemes. Initially painted in the red/silver warbonnet colors, some briefly were painted in the blue/yellow bookends scheme in 1971 before the entire fleet ended up in yellow warbonnet by 1973. Even with the repaintings, the red warbonnet colors would reemerge as the yellow and blue paint faded and chipped off in the late 70s! All new from the ground up, the Rapido U30CG sets a new standard for passenger power! U30CG F eatures:
- Designed from original measurements
- Accurate nose and roof contours
- Three different back ends
- Full lighting package including track lights, step lights, and much more!
- Heavy die-cast frame with many separate details
- Passenger and freight configurations
- Roadnumber-specific stepwells
- Full traction motor casing details
- Etched-metal steps
- Rubber sanding lines
- MoPower capacitor system for uninterrupted DCC running
- DC/DCC ready or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound
- Suggested minimum radius: 22”
