Motive Power

Kids of all ages love railroad locomotives. These powerful beasts thunder through canyons, through city streets, and across great expanses of countryside. Even when sitting still, they rattle, snort, and make noises that give the impression they’re alive. Metal monsters that have unlimited pulling power (well, not really), and are nearly unstoppable (unfortunately in some cases).

The majority of locomotive power from 1970 was four axle based, including EMD GP-9, EMD GP-35, EMD SW-7, EMD NW2, EMD F3 and EMD F7 class engines. The six axle locomotives used by the noted rail lines were (for the purpose of this project), primarily EMD SD-9s.

All N Scale locomotives used for this project must have been actually used by the railroads features (and at the right time period). The must be all digital DCC, and include sound capabilities.

Check out some of the locomotives being used on the Fallen Flags Junction:

ATSF emd gp35

The EMD GP35 is a 4-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between July 1963 and December 1965 and by General Motors Diesel between May 1964 and January 1966. The Santa Fe had 161 units of this type. This represents a renumbered unit, but we’ll let that slide for now and see it assigned to Hobart Yard in Los Angeles. Not weathered.

EMD F7A

The EMD F7 is a 1,500 horsepower (1,100 kW) Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1949 and December 1953 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) and General Motors Diesel (GMD). EsPee had 250 A units and 220 B units. Cotton Belt has 28 A Units and 17 B Units. This unit, along with a B partner, will be assigned to road service between LA and Portland. Not weathered.

NP EMD SD45

The SD45 is a six-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1965–1971. It has an EMD 645E3 twenty-cylinder engine generating 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) on the same frame as the EMD SD38, EMD SD39, EMD SD40, and EMD SDP40. Northern Pacific has 30 of these units and all were absorbed into the Burlington Northern. This unit will be assigned to road and helper service. Not weathered.

BN SW7

The EMD SW7 was a diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between October 1949 and January 1951. It was powered by a 1,200 horsepower (895 kW)12-567A engine. The SW7 replaced the earlier 1,000 horsepower NW2 switcher in EMD’s catalog. This unit was originally a Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Unit. Now repainted as BN # 125, it will be assigned to the yard in Portland. Not weathered.

CB&Q EMD SW7

The EMD SW7 was a diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between October 1949 and January 1951. It was powered by a 1,200 horsepower (895 kW)12-567A engine. CB&Q had 20 of these units, and all were eventually absorbed into the Burlington Northern. Prior to being repainted in green, this unit #9255 works the yards in Portland, and on occasion is used in local freight hops. Not weathered.

SP EMD SW1500

The EMD SW1500 is a 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) Diesel-electric locomotive intended for switching service and built by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division from 1966 to 1974. The SW1500 replaced the SW1200 in the EMD product line. St Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt) had 36 units. This one will be assigned to the 8th Street Yard in Los Angeles. Not weathered.

GN EMD NW2

The EMD NW2 is a 1,000 hp (750 kW), B-B switcher locomotive manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The NW2 was manufactured from February 1939 to December 1949, and 1145 were produced – 1121 for the U.S., and 24 were exported to Canada. This is an older GN unit, and is assigned to switching duties in Portland. Not weathered.

SP EMD SD9 Black Widow

An SD9 is a 6-axle road switcher diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1954 and June 1959. An EMD 567C 16-cylinder engine generated 1,750 horsepower (1.30 MW). The EsPee had 150 SD-9s, and this one, #5472 originally had steam boilers for passenger train use out of San Francisco. In 1970, this unit is assigned as a helper for heavy freights headed to Portland. PRE-weathering.

Santa Fe nw2

The NW2 was EMD’s best selling switch engine of all time. The NW2 was manufactured from February 1939 to December 1949, and 1145 were produced. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe ordered 15 units, placing them in service in 1942, their first diesel switchers and a replacement for the 0-6-0 steam locomotives running their yards at the time.

Cotton Belt GE B30

The GE B30-7 road switcher diesel-electric locomotive model was offered first by GE in 1977, featuring a 16 cylinderengine. It is 61 ft 2 in (18.64 m) long. St Lous Southwestern (Cotton Belt) purchased 26 units. Technically, this locomotive is newer than the Fallen Flags time period, but due to the lack of 4 axle diesels with DCC/Sound, we’re stretching things a bit!

CB&Q F3-B

The first Burlington F3’s arrived in October 1947 as four-unit (A/B/B/A) sets 116-121. B-Unit #160-C was one of the last units in the railroad’s roster, and would occasionally be added as additional power to heavy road freights. Earlier units were in silver for passenger service, while others were in the grey with red stripe for use in freight service.

SP Century C-628

Primarily used for heavy-haul road freight service throughout the US, the C-628 generated a total of 2,750 hp, and was part of the American Locomotive Company’s (ALCO) Century Locomotive Line. Southern Pacific purchases 25 units in the mid 1960s. This is a terrific example of motive power on the Fallen Flags Junction layout project.