Rapido 84502 HO New Haven No Vents EP5 Electric Locomotive DCC Sound 377

Rapido 84502 HO New Haven No Vents EP5 Electric Locomotive DCC Sound 377

Rapido Trains Inc. is pleased to introduce the first mass-produced HO model of the New Haven Railroad’s classic EP-5 electric locomotive. The New Haven’s EP-5s are one of the most famous electric locomotives in North America. Built by General Electric, the ten-strong class was delivered in 1955 dressed in the colorful McGinnis red, white and black paint scheme with large “NH” logos on the sides and noses.

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 locomotive’s traction motors. They also carried third rail shoes and DC auxiliaries to allow operation on the third-rail system into New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. Crammed full of electronic equipment, the locos weighed 174 tons. The EP-5s were put into service in the New Haven’s electrified Shore Line route between New York and New Haven, Connecticut. They very quickly 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. The first modifications came shortly after delivery when large vents were added to the sides of the otherwise smooth bodies. 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.

The Rapido Trains HO scale GE EP-5 Locomotive features:

• Accurately scaled from prototype blueprints
• Period-correct detail options, including carbody, pantograph and hardware variations
• Accurate paint and lettering
• Several road numbers per paint scheme (where applicable)
• Full cab interior
• New Haven delivery and repaint schemes (repainted units have smaller NH logo on nose and re-positioned/larger nose road number)
• Directional operating pantographs (sound models only)
• DC/Silent or DC/DCC/Sound versions available
• DC/DCC/Sound version features an ESU Loksound decoder with accurate "Jet" recordings
• Factory-installed MacDonald-Cartier metal couplers