Description After World War II, GE began work on a locomotive using a gas turbine power plant specifically designed for locomotive usage. The gas turbine had an advantage in that it could burn Bunker “C” fuel oil. Bunker “C” is a thick, low-grade oil that is a left-over when crude oil is refined into higher quality products like gasoline and diesel fuel. Being a residual of the refining process, it was both very cheap and widely available. GE’s locomotive gas turbine was about 20 feet long and created 4,500 horsepower, three times as much as a contemporary diesel. GE’s test-bed and demonstrator gas turbine locomotive was completed in November 1948. Numbered as UP 50, it spent twenty-one months testing on the UP, covering 105,732 miles of operation and moving 349 million gross ton-miles of freight. UP’s first gas-turbine, numbered 51, was received at the Omaha shops on January 28, 1952. It had a full car body and a single cab. It carried 7,200 gallons of fuel oil and 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel. In addition to the gas turbine, there was also a 250 horsepower diesel engine. The diesel was used to move the locomotive around yards, power the auxiliaries, and crank the turbine. The locomotive weighed 551,720 pounds and was just over 83 feet long and stood 15 feet six inches tall. It rode on two sets of span-bolster AAR Type B trucks with a wheel arraignment of B B-B B. The gear ratio was 74:18 that gave a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour and a starting tractive effort of 137,930 pounds. Like contemporary diesels, the gas turbines were equipped with dynamic brakes. CO FEATURES: Short nose door and handrails FARR Grilles 24,000 gallon Tender Legendary Liveries Scheme The Chesapeake and Ohio did in fact own turbine locomotives- three giant M-1 class units built in 1947-1948. These, however, were steam turbine locomotives built for passenger service, and were ultimately unsuccessful. We have hypothesized a historic version of the C&O that wasn’t ready to give up on the turbine concept and ordered GE units in 1953. We think that the C&O turbines would have looked mighty impressive dragging coal over the eastern continental divide on the Alleghany Subdivision, although surely the track structure would have taken a beating! GENESIS GAS TURBINE FEATURES: Fully assembled and ready for your layout or display Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation Sound versions feature Soundtraxx Tsunami2 sound with 2 speakers installed DCC ready version wiring harness installed (21 pin harness) Razor sharp painting and printing McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed Minimum radius: 18″ – Recommended radius: 22″ LEGENDARY LIVERIES What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, proto-freelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”
