Description
ATHEARN EMD MP15AC DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
The EMD MP15 is a light road switcher that was built between 1974 and 1980. It came in two designs, the MP15DC and the MP15AC. It was billed as replacement for the EMD SW1500The EMD MP15 is a light road switcher that was built between 1974 and 1980. It came in two designs, the MP15DC and the MP15AC. It was billed as replacement for the EMD SW1500
The MP15DC ’s standard Blomberg B trucks were capable of transition and road speeds up to 60 mph (97 km/h), allowing use on road freights. Soon there was a demand for a model with an advanced AC drive system. The MP15AC replaced the MP15DC ’s DC generator with an alternator producing AC power which is converted to DC for the traction motors with a silicon rectifier. The MP15AC is 1.5 ft (457 mm) longer than an MP15DC, the extra space being needed for the rectifier equipment. The alternator-rectifier combination is more reliable than a generator, and this equipment became the standard for new diesel-electric locomotive designs.The MP15DC ’s standard Blomberg B trucks were capable of transition and road speeds up to 60 mph (97 km/h), allowing use on road freights. Soon there was a demand for a model with an advanced AC drive system. The MP15AC replaced the MP15DC ’s DC generator with an alternator producing AC power which is converted to DC for the traction motors with a silicon rectifier. The MP15AC is 1.5 ft (457 mm) longer than an MP15DC, the extra space being needed for the rectifier equipment. The alternator-rectifier combination is more reliable than a generator, and this equipment became the standard for new diesel-electric locomotive designs.
The MP15AC is easily distinguished from the DC models. Instead of the front-mounted radiator intake and belt-driven fan used on all previous EMD switchers, these have intakes on the lower forward nose sides and electric fans. Side intakes allowed the unit to take in cooler air, and the electric fans improved a serious reliability issue found in its earlier DC sisters.The MP15AC is easily distinguished from the DC models. Instead of the front-mounted radiator intake and belt-driven fan used on all previous EMD switchers, these have intakes on the lower forward nose sides and electric fans. Side intakes allowed the unit to take in cooler air, and the electric fans improved a serious reliability issue found in its earlier DC sisters.
In the early 1970s railroads were starting to convert to AC power, the six largest buyers, Milwaukee (64), Southern Pacific (58), Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (45), Nacionales de México (25), Long Island (23), and Louisville & Nashville (10), were all buyingAC road locomotives. 36 more units were sold to 8 other customers.In the early 1970s railroads were starting to convert to AC power, the six largest buyers, Milwaukee (64), Southern Pacific (58), Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (45), Nacionales de México (25), Long Island (23), and Louisville & Nashville (10), were all buyingAC road locomotives. 36 more units were sold to 8 other customers.
ATHEARN EMD MP15AC DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:ATHEARN EMD MP15AC DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Full cab interiorFull cab interior
Coupler cut leversCoupler cut levers
Flexible rubber trainline hoseFlexible rubber trainline hose
Windshield wipersWindshield wipers
Blomberg-B trucksBlomberg-B trucks
Directional constant lightingDirectional constant lighting
Operating ditch lights (if equipped)Operating ditch lights (if equipped)
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearanceFine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Headlight brightness remains constantHeadlight brightness remains constant
Separately applied photo-etched metal and injection molded detail partsSeparately applied photo-etched metal and injection molded detail parts
Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, breather pipesDetailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, breather pipes
DCC-ready features Quick Plug ™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connectorDCC-ready features Quick Plug ™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
Accurately-painted and – printed paint schemesAccurately-painted and – printed paint schemes
McHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatibleMcHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible
Fully-assembled and ready-to-runFully-assembled and ready-to-run
Replacement parts availableReplacement parts available
Wire grab ironsWire grab irons
See-through cab windowsSee-through cab windows
Flexible rubber MU hosesFlexible rubber MU hoses
Lift ringsLift rings
Sander linesSander lines
Walkway TreadWalkway Tread
Operating ground lightsOperating ground lights
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and moreScaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrainGenesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operationAll-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flowAll-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of trackWheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling powerHeavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Packaging securely holds model for safe storagePackaging securely holds model for safe storage
Minimum radius: 18″Minimum radius: 18″
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.