Today we’re looking at something we haven’t seen before – an end-cab switcher, and one of my favorite models of them to boot!
So without further ado, let’s get going…
EMD MP15AC History: The MP15AC was the last in the long line of EMD end-cab switchers, which consisted several models over several decades.
The MP15AC was actually designed as a road-switcher, hence the “MP” in the designation, standing for “Multi-Purpose”.
They are powered by an EMD 12-645E prime mover, which produced 1,500hp, hence the “15” in the designation.
This prime mover produced power through an alternator rather than a generator, which provided the last portion of the model designation, “AC”, or alternating current. This power was then converted through silicon rectifiers to power the DC traction motors, a setup superior to the long standard generator.
They are equipped with Blomberg B trucks, which were suitable for speeds up to 60mph, which allowed the MP15AC to be used on road freights – or, in the case of the Long Island Railroad, passenger/commuter trains, a highly unusual task for an end-cab unit.
A total of 246 were produced overall, from August of 1975 until August of 1984.
Though several large railroads bought them originally, such as the Milwaukee Road, Southern Pacific, Seaboard Coast Line, etc, most Class 1s have retired/sold off most, if not all, MP15Acs, and end-cabs in general.
They do however continue to have very successful careers on shortlines, with leasing companies, and handling industrial switching.
MILW 460 History: Our prototype for today was built in January of 1976 as MILW 460 for the Milwaukee Road (formally the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific). 10 years after 460 was built, in 1986, the Milwaukee would go bankrupt (which it had done before) and subsequently be merged into/sold to the Soo Line (Soo being the phonetic spelling of Sault, which was part of the original name Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, from which “Soo Line” was derived as a nickname, then officially adopted by the company – weird). Anyway, the 460 would become SOO 1526 and get a patch paint job, the infamous “Bandit” scheme, which were MILW units with swathes of black paint over the name and numbers. Soo would eventually sell it off to Union Pacific, and it became UPY 1407 (UPY is UP’s moniker for yard service units). It would serve UP until … an unknown date. It may still be on their roster – I could find no information on it for around the past 15 years. I’d assume it’s probably still around, but most likely off UP’s roster.
Box Info.
The low air intakes give it something of a tunnel-motor look.
Too bad the class lights are just painted, rather than actually working.
A very blocky, utilitarian design, but still one of my favorites.
The most noticeable issue, a molding problem, though there are a few more issues mentioned below in the breakdown.
Also, I've never understood the design philosophy of the crooked rectangle logos - the MILW is the most well known, probably, but Canadian National had a similar one (and maybe others, not sure). To me it looks like either the paint/decal shop was having a bad day, or a child's design somehow got accepted as a legitimate option.
And here's the ratings...
Good: First off, something I’ve become a bit wary of with Athearn products – in box damage. Thankfully, 460 was free of this issue and was perfectly fine.
Overall the paint was nice, and the lettering and stickers were perfectly applied. The construction quality was generally good, with the small details particularly well made and applied. The ability to actually see through the front grilles was of especially impressive. Also, it came with optional plows.
It operates perfectly, and the lights and sounds are great all around – the electronic bell was particularly nifty.
Weight is a somewhat light 9.5oz, but it still handled long trains perfectly well, so no issue on the tractive effort.
Bad: Some areas of the paint were questionable – the back of the cab has black spatters over the orange, and the join between the black and orange is a little blurry/smudged in places.
There’s a paint and/or molding issue under the fireman’s side window.
Also, as we’ve seen before on Athearn models, the handrails are very flimsy, but weren’t damaged, so that’s more of a questionable design choice than an actual problem.
Overall: I like EMD switchers, especially the later ones, and the MP15AC in particular, so I was looking forward to this model. By and large, I wasn’t disappointed. Overall it looks good, and sounds and operates great.
A couple seeming manufacturing/quality control issues, but they’re relatively minor, and could be easily remedied at the factory level, and don’t impact the model to any great degree. With that all said, I definitely recommend it! Actually, I’m seriously considering picking up more…
That’s all for this review – as always, thanks for looking!
Great video nice engine and enjoyed seeing the caboose thanks