K2488-4808HS   SP Trainmaster, Conventional w/Horn & Smoke Southern Pacific
MSRP:  $199.95  ea. KCC Member Price: $179.96
K2488-4808HS


Fairbanks-Morse developed an opposed piston (OP) engine in the 1930s that was utilized in submarines. This engine has two crankshafts, one on top and one on the bottom and each cylinder has two pistons that come together at the same time. Following World War II, Fairbanks-Morse resumed research to adapt this engine to diesel locomotives. One of the most successful diesels to use this unique engine was the Trainmaster. 127 of these diesels were built from 1953 until 1957. The official designation, H24-66, means a hood engine with 2400 horsepower and six motors on six axles. This multi-purpose road switcher was designed to handle anything from mainline passenger service to yard switching.

After testing Trainmaster demonstrators in 1953, Southern Pacific order 14 of the diesels, as well as bought the two demonstators. SP took delivery of these locomotives later that same year and early 1954, and utilized them for freight and passenger duty on their Texas lines. By 1956 they had moved the California coast and were used for commuter service. Finally, in the earlier 1960s, the original Black Widow paint scheme was replaced with the scarlet and gray Bloody Nose scheme.

Catalog: 2005 1st Edition
Release Date: Spring 06

Engine Features
  •   O Scale
  •   Digital Horn
  •   Operating Smoke Unit
  •   Dual Vertical Motors with Flywheels
  •   Die Cast Trucks, Fuel Tank, Pilot & Wheels
  •   Separate Etched Metal Roof Grills with Freely Moving Radiator Fans Visible Beneath
  •   Illuminated Number Boards
  •   Directional Lighting
  •   Separate Metal Handrails and Grab Rails
  •   Dimensions: 17” L x 2.5” W x 3.75” H


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