I recently saw a photo of a New haven engine that looked like an Alco FA1 with an "A" cab on both ends. It also appeared to be an electric and was, I believe, in commuter service around New York City. Could someone tell me what engine type this was? Maybe post a picture? I thought it was pretty unusual. Thanks.
This is it, I believe; it is an EP-5. Looks like six axle trucks, too. A-1-A type trucks? It appears the axles are uneven. Thanks, Russell. BTW, in the picture referenced above, that's a nice purple ACL baggage car in tow, too. :thumbs_up:
New Haven's EP5 "jets" were among the very first rectifier locomotives, using ignitron rectifier tubes to convert AC power from the catenary to DC for the traction motors. They got the sobriquet "jet" from the noisy blowers used to cool the tubes and the traction motors. They were a GE product. Some got painted PC black, but none made it to Amtrak or Conrail.
Personally, I think that NH's EP-4 was a better looking design. http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/v8_nh_30.html Actually, the EP-4 frame and power plant was based on Pennsy's GG-1, but incorporating most, if not all, improvements developed from the GG-1's five years of road experience.
Actually, two EP-5s (by that time redesignated E40 by PC), 4973 and 4977, made it to the beginning of Conrail. Neither saw Conrail patches, let alone blue, as they were retired very soon. http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/894830/ShowPost.aspx http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/elec/e40/e40.html
'HO' EP-5s from FRATESCHI FRATESCHI , the Brazilian model train maker whom Model Power has gotten some locos made by with US paint schemes (Steam locos and U boats) that they sold, here in the US , also makes a model of Brazilian loco equivalent of the NYNH&H's EP-5s. Frateschi website is at : < Frateschi :::::: Trens Elétricos > Miami Trains in Vero Beach, Florida sells them for $92 an engine, and is easily found online. Good-Luck, PJB
I don't know details, but the Frateschi model looks similar to a NH EP-4 or a MLW Little Joe, which were both beautiful locomotives IMHO. $92 certainly would be a good price if the mechanism is modern quality and the pantographs are wired for pickup. EDIT - Having re-read my previous post above (2-18-2007), I realize that this locomotive is a copy of the NH EP-4 or EF-3a. http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/v8_nh_30.html .
I regularly see these models for sale during train shows. The locos look quite simple, something like Lima etc looked. No premium quality.