MTH Premier 20-21285-1 Norfolk Southern Dash-8 Narrow Nose Diesel Engine ProtoSound 3.0

In the mid-1980s, as computers found their way into homes across America, they made their way into locomotives as well. In 1982, a year after IBM debuted its Personal Computer, General Electric fielded its first computerized diesel, test unit No. 606. With microprocessors controlling its engine and other systems, including a MicroSentry Adhesion System for wheelslip control, No. 606 and its counterparts at EMD ushered in the third generation of diesel power. By the end of the decade, the typical American road diesel would be profoundly different both inside and outside - evolving from a four-axle hood unit with a narrow short nose and electronic controls to a high-horsepower, six-axle computerized heavy hauler with a wide "North American" cab.

After extensive testing of several prototypes, GE delivered its first production units in 1984, models B32-8 and B39-8 - "B" for two-axle trucks, "32" or "39" for 3200 or 3900 horsepower, and -8 to indicate the new model, succeeding the second-generation -7 lineup. In part due to the recession of the early 1980s, orders didn't really heat up until late 1987, when GE uprated its prime mover to 4000 horsepower and changed the model's name to "Dash 8." In the ensuing years, as GE took the lead from EMD in North American locomotive sales, the Dash 8 series became a best seller, with over 1500 units delivered by the end of production in 1994.

From the beginning, the Dash 8 was offered in both four-axle (Dash 8-40B) and six-axle (Dash 8-40C) versions. With six-axle units outselling four-axle units almost seven to one, the sales numbers told the story of what was happening out on the road: as engine power increased, twelve wheels were proving superior to eight in getting all that muscle onto the rails. A 1991 Santa Fe order for 83 Dash 8s would prove to be the last four-axle road freight diesels GE ever built.

Features:

• O-Gauge, O-Scale, 3-Rail
• Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS Body
• Die-Cast Truck Sides, Pilots and Fuel Tank
• Metal Chassis
• Metal Handrails and Horn
• Moveable Roof Fans
• Metal Body Side Grilles
• Detachable Snow Plow
• (2) Hand Painted Engineer Cab Figures
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Metal Wheels, Axles and Gears
• (2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers
• O Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Directionally Controlled Constant Voltage LED Headlights
• Lighted LED Cab Interior Light
• Illuminated LED Number Boards
• Operating LED Ditch Lights
• (2) Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motors
• Operating ProtoSmoke Diesel Exhaust
• Playable Horn Sounds
• Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
• 1:48 Scale Proportions
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures: 17 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 4"
• Operates On O-42 Curves

This engine is new in the box and has been tested only. The odometer shows 16.5 scale miles. We have tested it to make sure all features work and that it runs properly. Includes the quick start instructions, optional snow plow, starter tube of smoke fluid and spare traction tires, . Comes in the original box with Styrofoam insert and all packing materials.