HO Gas Turbine w/Tender UP #55 by MTH (MTH8021561)

80-2156-1

Product Line: MTH HO
Roadname: Union Pacific
Signature Series 4500hp Gas Turbine & Tender Set With Proto-Sound 3.0 - Union Pacific

Cab No. 55

First appeared in: 2011 HO Volume 1

New for 2010, MTH is proud to introduce the UP "Baby" 4500 turbine locomotives, with all the same detailing and features of its bigger brother, the Veranda. Variable intensity smoke, a broad range of sounds, turbine crew conversations, remotely controlled couplers, operating Mars light, built in DCC decoder, and die-cast metal construction, twin flywheel-equipped motors, and four traction tires to provide pulling power all cumulate in a model that rivals the prototype.

In the late 1940s, even as it was building diesels in partnership with Alco, General Electric was experimenting with ways to apply its aircraft jet engine technology to railroading. Its gas turbine electric (GTEL) was basically a diesel engine with a large turbine replacing the diesel as the prime mover. In a turbine, intake air is compressed by spinning turbine blades and fed into combustion chambers, where fuel is added and ignited, as in a jet engine. The hot exhaust gases spin the blades of another turbine that powers one or more generators, which produce electricity to power diesel-type traction motors. Compared with diesels of the period, GE's GTEL put three times as much power (4500hp) in one locomotive, had significantly fewer moving parts, and did not vibrate like a diesel. The major drawback was a voracious appetite for fuel.

Undeterred by the failure of its steam turbine prototypes, GE perused the development of a gas turbine engine, and in June of 1949 UP added the prototype to their roster for further testing. Locomotives #51-60 were then ordered by UP in March of 1951. In their first year of operation the locomotives averaged approximately 4.2 gallons of total fuel per 1,000 gross ton-miles. Union Pacific's president A.E.(Art) Stoddard referred to the locomotives as "jet propulsion on wheels", claiming the turbine gas engines "might well revolutionize American railroading". The Baby's 4500hp turbines demonstrated the locomotives ability to go faster then diesel engines and appeared, at the time, to be the more economical choice.

While not intended for passenger use, on occasion the gas turbine 4500 locomotive pulled in a streamlined passenger train after a diesel engine would break down. Although the locomotive was not designed for multiple unit operation, they were occasionally double loaded, even through long tunnel routes where recalculation of exhaust gasses could pose problems. After two years of testing GE's prototype, the Union Pacific ordered its first ten GTELs in 1951. The engines were designed to burn Bunker C oil, a byproduct of petroleum distillation that was almost considered waste material. The low cost of Bunker C more than compensated for the turbines' high consumption, although the oil was so thick it had to be heated to 240 degrees Fahrenheit to flow though the fuel system. In 1955 auxiliary fuel tenders were added to the locomotives, this additionally 24,000 gallons of oil allowed the train to make longer runs, increasing monthly mileage.

Averaging around 10,000 miles a month (400 turbine operating hours), the locomotive also contained a 250hp diesel engine, which was used to bring the turbine engine up to its firing speed of 700RPM. This allowed the engine to then run fans, pumps, cooling motors, auxiliaries, and allowed the locomotive to move around terminals when running light. Unfortunately, by the early 1960s, the turbines' use of Bunker C fuel had changed from an advantage to a problem. The plastics industry had found new uses for the former waste product and its price skyrocketed. At the same time, the corrosive nature of the fuel led many of the turbines to develop engine problems. The Verandas were retired in 1963-64 in favor of newer 8500hp Big Blows, and the UP's entire turbine program was finished by 1970.

Signature Series models feature professionally weathered finishes by a master modeler with more than 30 years of modeling experience. The resulting finish ensures that these new Signature Series models will look right at home on any fully sceniced and weathered layout.

All models will be airbrushed weathered, using special proprietary techniques designed to capture subtle natural processes that show details previously only obtainable using chalks and pinpoint washes.
No two finishes will look exactly alike so that you may have numerous models of the same engine, each with its own unique finish.
All models will be flat sealed to allow handling and use of smoke fluid.

These unique offerings provide a level of customization never before offered by a major model railroad manufacturer and are an excellent solution for those who have either not had the confidence to attempt weathering techniques or simply don't have the time to do it themselves. Most importantly, these professionally weathered models can withstand the rigors of operation while mimicing the real-life look needed to recreate a world class model railroad.
Features
Intricately Detailed ABS Body
Authentic Paint Scheme & Cab Numbers
Detailed Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank
Die-Cast Metal Chassis
Detachable Scale Snow Plow
(2) Cab Figures
Directionally Controlled Headlights
RP-25 Metal Wheels Mounted On Metal Axles
Powerful 5-Pole Precision Flywheel Equipped Motor
Locomotive Speed Control in Scale MPH Increments
Lighted Cab Interior
Illuminated Number Boards
Lighted Marker Lights
Operating Ditch Lights
(2) Scale Kadee Compatible Remotely Controlled Proto-Couplers
On-Board DCC Receiver
Operates On Code 70, 83, & 100 Rail Curves

Proto-Sound 3.0 equipped locomotives can be controlled in command mode with any DCC compliant command control system. While the user won't have access to all of the incredible features of Proto-Sound 3.0, independent control over the locomotive is possible. This means you can continue to use your existing DCC controller to independently control your other DCC equipped locomotives in addition to your Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive on the same track at the same time.

When using a DCC controller, the following Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive features are accessible:

F0 Headlight
F1 Bell
F2 Whistle/Horn
F3 Start Up/Shut Down
F4 Rear Coupler
F5 Front Coupler
F6 Engine Sounds On/Off
F7 Sound Volume
F8 Ditch Lights Auto/On/Off
F9 Forward Signal
F10 Reverse Signal
F11 Grade Crossing Signal
F12 Cab Light On/Off
F13 Extended Start Up
F14 Extended Shut Down
F15 Rev Up
F16 Rev Down
F17 Coupler Slack Sound
F18 Coupler Close
F19 One-Shot Doppler
F20 Feature Reset
F21 Idle Sequence 1
F22 Idle Sequence 2
F23 Idle Sequence 3
F24 Ditch Lights Auto/On/Off
F25 Brakes Auto/Off
F26 Cab Chatter Auto/Off
F27 Clickety-Clack Auto/Off
F28 Coupler Slack Sound
Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring: Freight Yard Proto-Effects
Unit Measures:
Operates On 18" Radius Curves

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