Walthers Announces the Arrival of Several New Locomotive Runs With Either DC or DCC & Sound

PROTO 2000 Diesel EMD GP7 Phase I & Phase II

While the road switcher concept had appeared as early as 1940, EMD preferred to concentrate on its F series cab unit diesels for freight service. But with no footboards and no rearward visibility, F units were not well liked by crews on locals and similar runs where there was a lot of switching or reverse running. EMD entered the road switcher market tentatively in 1948 with its BL1 and BL2, which mounted a semi-streamlined body on the same frame and machinery as the F3. This was a start, but in 1949, EMD found exactly what the railroads wanted in its new General Purpose series. Simple and rugged, the squared-off lines of the new GP7 weren't necessarily handsome, but this didn't matter to the new owners. In short order, buyers were using GP7s for everything from road freights to commuter service. Production continued with minor changes along the way (these spotting features are referred to as phases by railfans to differentiate variations among the otherwise similar locos) through 1954 when the more powerful GP9 was introduced. Reliable and versatile, many have lead long lives and are still working for shortlines and industrial operators.

Proto 1000 Alco RS-2 Road Switcher

Versatile Roadswitchers For Vintage Layouts

The RS-2 was Alco's first roadswitcher to incorporate its new 244-Series prime mover. The 1,500-horsepower units were designed for versatility - they were equally at home working road freights or switch runs. If equipped with a steam generator, they were adept at working commuter and secondary passenger runs. Production began in 1946 with just over 350 units constructed for U.S. and Canadian roads before the unit was succeeded by the 1,600-horsepower RS-3 in 1950 (although a few late RS-2s were rated at 1,600 horsepower).

RS-2s have worked for Class I, shortline and industrial lines across the continent. The engines have been long lived, with one survivor still holding down daily freight duties in 2007. A few others still see service at museum and tourist lines.

These detailed locos feature a heavy diecast chassis,factory-installed 9-pin DCC harness, 14:1 gear ratio. helical cut gears for quiet operation, a five-pole skew-wound motor, all-wheel drive and electrical pickup, dual machined brass flywheels, RP-25 contour blackened wheels and magnetic knuckle couplers. Each engine is equipped with constant and directional headlights.