The prototype was not as popular as the model. The main reason these locomotives were not more popular was that they used an air-powered throttle, which meant that it could not be run in multiple unit operation with EMD or Alco diesels without special MU equipment. Only 160 (109 A's and 59 B's) of the RF16 units were built and they went to just three railroads (PRR, B&O and NYC) initially. The PRR had 72 A units and 31 B units, The B&O had 19 A's and 12 B' while the NYC had 18 A's and 8 B's. All three RR's ceased using the Sharks by 1967 with the last seven A units and two B units of the NYC going to the Monongahela RR, a coal hauling RR in Western PA. Two of these went to the D&H in 1974 where they lasted until 1978. They suffered mechanical damage when leased and are now stored supposedly to be donated to a museum. Personally I would like to see them go to the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Sugar Creek, Ohio. https://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.org
The PRR also had passenger Sharks BP20, which were longer 6 axle locos. However, these have not been produced in N scale. There were plastic shells offered for both the BP20 and RF16 sharks in the past by different companies that may be found on second hand. I own several sets of the PRR RF16 units in both 5 stripe and single stripe schemes. The are slow runners (not very fast with full throttle) and are pretty loud. Detailing is decent with free standing handrails. Scott
N Scale Historic Fun Fact -- in 1973 Minitrix announced production of a Shark as seen here in JMC's catalog. Plans were quietly canceled though and the model never appeared. Note that the catalog photo is of an HO model.
I don't know if it's stranger that they were going to offer Santa Fe paint when the road didn't buy any, that they weren't going to offer a NYC version, or that they think there was a C & N railroad. But I do like remembering when a single dollar was still worth more than today's ten dollar bill.
If you are referring to the ER Models version then yes they are not fast runners but like the prototype are great in the traction dept. As for loudness mine were loud too when I ran them with a MRC throttle. However, when I ran them on our clubs layout using filtered DC they made no noise. Get a throttle with filtered DC current and try it.
Yes, I'm referring to the ER Models Sharks. Thanks for the tip on using filtered DC. I have an old MRC Rail line 370 N power pack and three MRC Tech 4 power packs.
