How many MP15's did/does NS have? And were they relegated to yards or did they venture out to switch local industries too?
Per http://utahrails.net/loconotes/MP15.php , Southern originally had 82 or so, sublettered for several subsidiaries. Per http://www.ole.net/~rcraig/NS.HTML , NS has 87 on the roster, #2348-2435. ~Tim
See link http://www.thedieselshop.us/NS.HTML Says 87, does not indicate AC or DC. Search MP15DC at http://www.railpictures.net/index.php to find photos (mostly yard work). Bob.
If NS used them like Mopac did, they probably ventured out from the yards on long locals and did more than just yard duties. I think EMD touted the MP15 as a roadswitcher and equiped them with trucks that were better suited for this service.
no i'm not saying Atlas SHOULD see if the models are in the pipline from other manufacturers, it just seems thats what they do anyway. I think the reason why that wasn't the case here is because the CC mp15 has been vaporware for nearly a dacade. From what I understand, the SW1500 is either 6 or 12" thiner on the long hood then earlier models. This was due to the structure of the 645 vs the 567 engines. Yes, MP has anounced the sw1500, but aside from their FP7, they have been pretty quick with their product development. I think that engine they may have screwed the pooch on and are redesigning from the ground up. They stated the SW1500 will feature extensive use of ethched metal. Forget BLI, It looks like MP is starting to capitalize on the fusion aproach to model manufacturing in N. this is wiered. I own SW900, SW1200, will be getting an SW1500, but the MP15 is TOO EARLY for me. Unfortunatly CR's lease expired in 89 for these babies. I guell i'll get one just for posterity sake.
The VARR (and it's subsidiary roads) will be big users of the EMD MP15DC. Between my well-worm SD-9's and this new MP15DC, the VARR's Yard Power/Switching/Local needs will be well handled by quality Atlas EMD Power! This is GREAT News!! Next up.....EMD F45's!
The Golden State RR will purchase 2 o each version for its yard jobs. YIPS, there goes my xmas money!!!.
Southern had 88 units #2348 - 2435 all were Southern the roads assigned marked on the units were purely for accounting as the owner (tax) &, they were system wide and all marked Southern. The last MP received before the awful merger was in May of 82, 2435 & was used for switching TOFC in Cinicnnati. #4235 GS&F All were DC This is very nice, what a sweet deal!! [ 30. December 2004, 17:27: Message edited by: Curious_George ]
And a toilet! The other selling point on the MP-series was provision for a toilet, which earlier switchers did not have. That and the Blomberg road trucks were were big selling points to make it a true multi-purpose unit that could kick cars in the yard, then go out on the road.
Very interesting. CSX has a few, and several were previously in predecessor roads (although I'm not yet sure which all had them) so I'm interested. I don't have a switcher, so I need one bad. I do hope it's DCC ready/friendly though....
Just looked at the Richard Percy Espee site: http://espee.railfan.net/espee.html Espee/SSW had 70 MP15DC/AC. But, they had 240 SW1500s! I guess the SW1500 was a lot more common. I will have to look at my railfan photos at home. Most taken at yards 1993-1998. Were SW1500s around then?
The SW1500 was THE Espee switcher, serving from the 1960s until the end, with many still working for UP today (with even a few unpatched!). To clarify things a bit, Espee only bought 12 of the MP15DC (which Atlas just announced), and bought 58 of the very-different, very cool-looking MP15AC. So yes, the SW1500s were very common all over the SP/SSW system, working most yard and local assignments. The MP-series switchers were a bit more confined; the MP15ACs were mostly assigned to the Texas lines, and for the most part, were very rare in California. The same applied to the MP15DCs; they made rare appearances in SoCal, but were more at home on the Texas lines. Still, the MPs got around, and even someone modeling SoCal can make use of one or two.
WooHoo! Can't wait! I am getting closer to being able to model the LIRR with off the shelf stuff! Atlas already gave us the RS-1 and H16-44 in LIRR livery.......wonder if it is on the plate for the MP's!!!!?? Russ
Thanks to Mike Skibbe for writing this topic. I would have missed this news totally, otherwise. This is an engine that I've wanted to see made for quite a while. The amount of detail, and the different versions are very impressive. Something to look forward to this Fall! Al.
Sneaky Atlas Moderator. Not a model I would likely buy... but I'm happy for those model railroaders which have been asking for a modern switcher for so long.
Hey, Joe, we can paint them in Perlman Green, or maybe Pumpkin, and tell eveyone they were the very last switchers WP bought. ;=}
SP8299: Several years ago I was a regular San Antonio railfan. Didn't know too much, but I liked the MP15s I saw there. I was asked by one of the hard-core Espee fans what I thought the switchers were. He was testing me. I said MP15ACs. He was astonished that I knew that! It was the only switcher that I had seen out at Kirby yard. Now I understand, because the switcher was so rare on the west coast. I worked on the west coast, so he thought that was where I saw all my Espee stuff. (He did not know that I did not rail fan there.) Thanks for the good info.
UP, SP, NS. Yikes!!! Thankfully these are nearly a year away. My CCd's should be payed off by then. Drats!!! These are nearly a year away. What will come along between then and now?? Don't you just love it when you want it both ways?
