Rapido Trains Inc. Ho Penn Central E40 Model Train Locomotive

Road Number Will Be #4974New Page 1Rapido 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.

- Ginnis red, white ...Road Number Will Be #4974New Page 1Rapido 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.

- Ginnis 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. 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.

Mc - Ginnis! - 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 Mc - Ginnis 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). - Donald-Cartier metal couplers