I have always had a special place in my heart for the Santa Fe. Not to mention that the paint job is one of the most beautiful, distinctive in prototype railroading. If you check the above link, you might understand this feeling I have for the Santa Fe.
I've been getting along well with my layout placed in the steam / early diesel era, but a while back I saw something that just reached out and GRABBED me. The Atlas GE Dash 8-40BW loco in the "Warbonnet" paint. The dealer didn't have it in Santa Fe, but what the heck. Get it in BNSF and then go get a mating Athearn GE Dash 9-44CW in Santa Fe. Nearly the same engine, only the B has 4 wheel trucks and 4000 hp while the C has 6 wheel trucks and 4400 hp. Interesting to me that the B version was only built for the Santa Fe. It was designed for use on high speed container trains from Chicago to LA. I think they built 83 of them. Amtrak had a version of 3200hp made - when we took our trip out west a few years ago we rode behind a couple of them - but I have to tell you, they sure aren't as pretty as those SF guys.
My son Josh loved GE locos. "They are so ugly they are BEAUTIFUL, Dad," was his favorite comment about them. He hasn't seen these in person, but I think that statement will still stand.
Click the image to view an enlarged view.|
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That's the Atlas GE Dash 8-40BW on the front. The guys in the HO model railroad club I belong to say this engine is a ghost. There is hardly any noise as it goes by, just wheels on rails. Smooth as silk! |
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That Atlas engine can stand close scrutiny - and runs as good as it looks. |
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The curve is 24" radius, but it's sure a bit tight for these two guys. |
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Now we start seeing the Athearn GE Dash 9-44CW on the back end. |
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Six wheel trucks + more hp = more tractive effort. |
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It's very interesting to see what the two companies chose to include on the two locomotives. The Atlas is very detailed, while the Athearn is a little less detailed - but still they go very well together and serve as my monument to the Warbonnet paint I remember as a kid in Albuquerque. |
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This is an 'late afternoon or evening shot' of modern 'Superfleet' # 557 again passing an auto carrier train. |
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Same shot only nighttime... Different engine. |
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Actually, this is a shot of a Kato C44-9W with the white led lights. It's one light powering all these lights through formed light pipes. Works pretty well doesn't it? |
e-mail When your e-mail editor starts - please remove the first character (underbar.) It makes it a little unhandy for you - but it's the ONLY way I know to slow down those e-mail robots currently sending so much automated junk e-mail currently.
Copyright © 2002 Jim
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Jim Quarles
Springfield, MO
Revised: May 22, 2003