{"id":6906340081816,"title":"MTH 30-20890-1 - AS-616 Diesel Engine \"Milwaukee Road\" w\/ PS3 #561 - Custom Run for MrMuffin'sTrains","handle":"30-20890-1","description":"\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eAnnounced Date:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eJuly 2021\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eReleased Date:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eJan 2023\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eIndividually Boxed:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eYes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad Name: Milwaukee Road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad Number: 561\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Line: RailKing Scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: O Scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly 30-208MILW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDie-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Chassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Handrails and Horn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Handpainted Engineer Cab Figures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic Paint Scheme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Wheels, Axles and Gears\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrototypical Rule 17 Lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirectionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLighted LED Cab Interior Light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnboard DCC\/DCS Decoder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1:48 Scale Proportions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnit Measures: 14 1\/2\" x 2 1\/2\" x 3 3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperates On O-31 Curves\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiesel DCC Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF0 Head\/Tail light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF1 Bell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF2 Horn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF3 Start-up\/Shut-down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF4 PFA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF5 Lights (except head\/tail)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF6 Master Volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF7 Front Coupler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF8 Rear Coupler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF9 Forward Signal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF10 Reverse Signal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF11 Grade Crossing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF12 Smoke On\/Off\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF13 Smoke Volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF14 Idle Sequence 3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF15 Idle Sequence 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF16 Idle Sequence 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF17 Extended Start-up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF18 Extended Shut-down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF19 Rev Up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF20 Rev Down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF21 One Shot Doppler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF22 Coupler Slack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF23 Coupler Close\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF24 Single Horn Blast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF25 Engine Sounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF26 Brake Sounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF27 Cab Chatter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF28 Feature Reset\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilt from 1950-1954, the AS-616 was Baldwin's best-selling and final stab at the burgeoning road switcher market, which had been pioneered by Alco's RS-1 and came to be dominated by EMD's GP7 and GP9. In theory - and in practice with EMD Geeps - a road switcher was the perfect all-around diesel, equally adept at low-speed yard work or hustling mainline freight. And indeed, AS-616 stood for \"All-Service, 6 axle, 1600 horsepower\" But the AS-616, like all Baldwin diesels, became typecast by its owners in one particular role: low-speed lugging of heavy loads, both in the yard and in mainline drag freight service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis role stemmed from the De La Vergne diesel motors that powered all Baldwin units. Acquired by Baldwin in 1931, the De La Vergne Engine Company had started life in 1880 making mechanical refrigeration machines for breweries. Its power plant for Baldwin's locomotives was unique among diesels of its time. In order to make the fuel burn slower and give their 4-cycle engine a longer power stroke, De La Vergne's designers used massive cylinders more than a foot in diameter and added a separate combustion chamber above each cylinder. To allow the fuel more time to burn, they ran the engine at a maximum speed of 625 rpm - just over half the speed of most competitive diesels. In the October 1936 issue of Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, the company claimed that \"slow combustion gives low fuel consumption, absence of smoke, quick pick-up, and smooth idling.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately the massive De La Vergne motor proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Teamed up with equally heavy-duty traction motors supplied by Westinghouse, Baldwin's prime mover found its niche in low-speed, heavy tonnage lugging assignments, where engine crews admired Baldwin diesels because they just wouldn't quit. But those were just the types of assignments in which crews tended to abuse equipment and push an engine to its limits. As a result, Baldwin engines eventually developed a reputation for high maintenance costs. The early VO-1000 switcher, with its normally aspirated 8-cylinder engine, was one of Baldwin's most dependable locomotives; but the turbocharged models that succeeded it, including the AS-616, were plagued by problems that included excessive piston wear and chronic oil leaks. In the early 1950s, when diesel power was new and railroads were trying engines from all manufacturers, 19 U.S. and Latin American railroads purchased 221 AS-616s (including 7 cabless B-units). But by the middle of the decade, it was clear that Baldwin was no longer a contender in the diesel business, and in 1956 the nation's oldest locomotive builder threw in the towel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelive the excitement and variety of the early diesel years with the RailKing Scale AS-616. Thanks to Proto-Sound 3.0, our model features authentic Baldwin prime mover sounds and the ability to duplicate the low-speed lugging power of its prototype - as well as the ability to hustle along virtually as fast as you care to run it.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2021-07-26T13:40:40-04:00","created_at":"2021-07-26T13:40:40-04:00","vendor":"MTH Electric Trains","type":"Diesel Locomotive","tags":["200-500","3-rail","30-20890","AS616","diesel-locomotive","in-stock","milwaukee-road","mth-electric-trains","railking","scale_o"],"price":29995,"price_min":29995,"price_max":29995,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":36995,"compare_at_price_min":36995,"compare_at_price_max":36995,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":40524898074776,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"30-20890-1","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"MTH 30-20890-1 - AS-616 Diesel Engine \"Milwaukee Road\" w\/ PS3 #561 - Custom Run for MrMuffin'sTrains","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":29995,"weight":2449,"compare_at_price":36995,"inventory_quantity":8,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/IMG_1918_7df220e1-2c33-4610-809a-e917bd5b2e73.jpg?v=1673466640","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/30-20890-1.jpg?v=1673466640"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/IMG_1918_7df220e1-2c33-4610-809a-e917bd5b2e73.jpg?v=1673466640","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":31080039514358,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.333,"height":1512,"width":2016,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/IMG_1918_7df220e1-2c33-4610-809a-e917bd5b2e73.jpg?v=1673466640"},"aspect_ratio":1.333,"height":1512,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/IMG_1918_7df220e1-2c33-4610-809a-e917bd5b2e73.jpg?v=1673466640","width":2016},{"alt":null,"id":24771915448472,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":3.352,"height":716,"width":2400,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/30-20890-1.jpg?v=1673466640"},"aspect_ratio":3.352,"height":716,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/0560\/products\/30-20890-1.jpg?v=1673466640","width":2400}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ctable width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eAnnounced Date:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eJuly 2021\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eReleased Date:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eJan 2023\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 27.2172%;\"\u003eIndividually Boxed:\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 67.7828%;\"\u003eYes\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad Name: Milwaukee Road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad Number: 561\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProduct Line: RailKing Scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScale: O Scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly 30-208MILW\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDie-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Chassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Handrails and Horn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Handpainted Engineer Cab Figures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic Paint Scheme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal Wheels, Axles and Gears\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrototypical Rule 17 Lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirectionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLighted LED Cab Interior Light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnboard DCC\/DCS Decoder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1:48 Scale Proportions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnit Measures: 14 1\/2\" x 2 1\/2\" x 3 3\/4\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperates On O-31 Curves\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiesel DCC Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF0 Head\/Tail light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF1 Bell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF2 Horn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF3 Start-up\/Shut-down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF4 PFA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF5 Lights (except head\/tail)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF6 Master Volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF7 Front Coupler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF8 Rear Coupler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF9 Forward Signal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF10 Reverse Signal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF11 Grade Crossing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF12 Smoke On\/Off\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF13 Smoke Volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF14 Idle Sequence 3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF15 Idle Sequence 2\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF16 Idle Sequence 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF17 Extended Start-up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF18 Extended Shut-down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF19 Rev Up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF20 Rev Down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF21 One Shot Doppler\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF22 Coupler Slack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF23 Coupler Close\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF24 Single Horn Blast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF25 Engine Sounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF26 Brake Sounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF27 Cab Chatter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF28 Feature Reset\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilt from 1950-1954, the AS-616 was Baldwin's best-selling and final stab at the burgeoning road switcher market, which had been pioneered by Alco's RS-1 and came to be dominated by EMD's GP7 and GP9. In theory - and in practice with EMD Geeps - a road switcher was the perfect all-around diesel, equally adept at low-speed yard work or hustling mainline freight. And indeed, AS-616 stood for \"All-Service, 6 axle, 1600 horsepower\" But the AS-616, like all Baldwin diesels, became typecast by its owners in one particular role: low-speed lugging of heavy loads, both in the yard and in mainline drag freight service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis role stemmed from the De La Vergne diesel motors that powered all Baldwin units. Acquired by Baldwin in 1931, the De La Vergne Engine Company had started life in 1880 making mechanical refrigeration machines for breweries. Its power plant for Baldwin's locomotives was unique among diesels of its time. In order to make the fuel burn slower and give their 4-cycle engine a longer power stroke, De La Vergne's designers used massive cylinders more than a foot in diameter and added a separate combustion chamber above each cylinder. To allow the fuel more time to burn, they ran the engine at a maximum speed of 625 rpm - just over half the speed of most competitive diesels. In the October 1936 issue of Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, the company claimed that \"slow combustion gives low fuel consumption, absence of smoke, quick pick-up, and smooth idling.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately the massive De La Vergne motor proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Teamed up with equally heavy-duty traction motors supplied by Westinghouse, Baldwin's prime mover found its niche in low-speed, heavy tonnage lugging assignments, where engine crews admired Baldwin diesels because they just wouldn't quit. But those were just the types of assignments in which crews tended to abuse equipment and push an engine to its limits. As a result, Baldwin engines eventually developed a reputation for high maintenance costs. The early VO-1000 switcher, with its normally aspirated 8-cylinder engine, was one of Baldwin's most dependable locomotives; but the turbocharged models that succeeded it, including the AS-616, were plagued by problems that included excessive piston wear and chronic oil leaks. In the early 1950s, when diesel power was new and railroads were trying engines from all manufacturers, 19 U.S. and Latin American railroads purchased 221 AS-616s (including 7 cabless B-units). But by the middle of the decade, it was clear that Baldwin was no longer a contender in the diesel business, and in 1956 the nation's oldest locomotive builder threw in the towel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelive the excitement and variety of the early diesel years with the RailKing Scale AS-616. Thanks to Proto-Sound 3.0, our model features authentic Baldwin prime mover sounds and the ability to duplicate the low-speed lugging power of its prototype - as well as the ability to hustle along virtually as fast as you care to run it.\u003c\/p\u003e"}

MTH 30-20890-1 - AS-616 Diesel Engine "Milwaukee Road" w/ PS3 #561 - Custom Run for MrMuffin'sTrains

$ 299.95 $ 369.95
Maximum quantity available reached.
Product Description
Announced Date: July 2021
Released Date: Jan 2023
Individually Boxed: Yes
  • Road Name: Milwaukee Road
  • Road Number: 561
  • Product Line: RailKing Scale
  • Scale: O Scale

Formerly 30-208MILW

Features:
  • Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body
  • Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank
  • Metal Chassis
  • Metal Handrails and Horn
  • (2) Handpainted Engineer Cab Figures
  • Authentic Paint Scheme
  • Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears
  • (2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers
  • Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
  • Directionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlights
  • Lighted LED Cab Interior Light
  • (2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors
  • Operating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust
  • Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
  • Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
  • 1:48 Scale Proportions
  • Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects
  • Unit Measures: 14 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
  • Operates On O-31 Curves 

Diesel DCC Features

  • F0 Head/Tail light
  • F1 Bell
  • F2 Horn
  • F3 Start-up/Shut-down
  • F4 PFA
  • F5 Lights (except head/tail)
  • F6 Master Volume
  • F7 Front Coupler
  • F8 Rear Coupler
  • F9 Forward Signal
  • F10 Reverse Signal
  • F11 Grade Crossing
  • F12 Smoke On/Off
  • F13 Smoke Volume
  • F14 Idle Sequence 3
  • F15 Idle Sequence 2
  • F16 Idle Sequence 1
  • F17 Extended Start-up
  • F18 Extended Shut-down
  • F19 Rev Up
  • F20 Rev Down
  • F21 One Shot Doppler
  • F22 Coupler Slack
  • F23 Coupler Close
  • F24 Single Horn Blast
  • F25 Engine Sounds
  • F26 Brake Sounds
  • F27 Cab Chatter
  • F28 Feature Reset
Overview:

Built from 1950-1954, the AS-616 was Baldwin's best-selling and final stab at the burgeoning road switcher market, which had been pioneered by Alco's RS-1 and came to be dominated by EMD's GP7 and GP9. In theory - and in practice with EMD Geeps - a road switcher was the perfect all-around diesel, equally adept at low-speed yard work or hustling mainline freight. And indeed, AS-616 stood for "All-Service, 6 axle, 1600 horsepower" But the AS-616, like all Baldwin diesels, became typecast by its owners in one particular role: low-speed lugging of heavy loads, both in the yard and in mainline drag freight service.

This role stemmed from the De La Vergne diesel motors that powered all Baldwin units. Acquired by Baldwin in 1931, the De La Vergne Engine Company had started life in 1880 making mechanical refrigeration machines for breweries. Its power plant for Baldwin's locomotives was unique among diesels of its time. In order to make the fuel burn slower and give their 4-cycle engine a longer power stroke, De La Vergne's designers used massive cylinders more than a foot in diameter and added a separate combustion chamber above each cylinder. To allow the fuel more time to burn, they ran the engine at a maximum speed of 625 rpm - just over half the speed of most competitive diesels. In the October 1936 issue of Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, the company claimed that "slow combustion gives low fuel consumption, absence of smoke, quick pick-up, and smooth idling."

Ultimately the massive De La Vergne motor proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Teamed up with equally heavy-duty traction motors supplied by Westinghouse, Baldwin's prime mover found its niche in low-speed, heavy tonnage lugging assignments, where engine crews admired Baldwin diesels because they just wouldn't quit. But those were just the types of assignments in which crews tended to abuse equipment and push an engine to its limits. As a result, Baldwin engines eventually developed a reputation for high maintenance costs. The early VO-1000 switcher, with its normally aspirated 8-cylinder engine, was one of Baldwin's most dependable locomotives; but the turbocharged models that succeeded it, including the AS-616, were plagued by problems that included excessive piston wear and chronic oil leaks. In the early 1950s, when diesel power was new and railroads were trying engines from all manufacturers, 19 U.S. and Latin American railroads purchased 221 AS-616s (including 7 cabless B-units). But by the middle of the decade, it was clear that Baldwin was no longer a contender in the diesel business, and in 1956 the nation's oldest locomotive builder threw in the towel.

Relive the excitement and variety of the early diesel years with the RailKing Scale AS-616. Thanks to Proto-Sound 3.0, our model features authentic Baldwin prime mover sounds and the ability to duplicate the low-speed lugging power of its prototype - as well as the ability to hustle along virtually as fast as you care to run it.