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Norfolk Southern colours finally come to Atlas’ small EMD.

One of the switcher sets at Norfolk Southern’s Norris Yard in Irondale, Alabama, on October 13th, 2005, included ex-Southern MP15DC No. SOU 2397. The large silencer on the top of the hood marks this unit out as one of the later build of MP15DCs (actually the third of five batches, built in November 1979).

IT HAS TAKEN four runs and over two and a half years, but Atlas has finally announced its useful little ‘HO’ scale MP15DC in the black and white of Norfolk Southern, one of the largest operators of these multi-purpose EMD switchers.

In a nice touch, I noticed that the six numbers announced (three in the ’silver’ range and three ‘gold’ DCC sound-fitted versions) all represent locomotives from the fourth batch of MP15DCs built for Southern Railway. These feature a prominent silencer box on the top of the long hood. The earlier run of locos produced in Southern ‘tuxedo’ paint was taken from earlier builds and thus did not sport this obvious extra. They help to add a bit more rugged character to locomotives which can otherwise be easily confused with the SW1500s.

As can be seen from the artists impression supplied by Atlas, these will be finished in the most common version of NS black minus frame striping. I was half expecting the latest ‘horsehead’ scheme with white cab roof as some sort of ironic twist having waited so long for this paintjob to be produced.

The image below shows some common detail extras that will no doubt be for the consumer to source and fit, including air conditioner equipment on the cab roof, a plethora of multiple working sockets, and the square electronic horn on the front of the long hood. Ditch lights, as per usual, will be noticeable by their absence.

Entrusted with working a trip composed mainly of scrap carrying gondolas from NS’ Norris Yard to Ensley Yard in Birmingham, Alabama, Norfolk Southern MP15DC No. NS 2402 splutters past FL Shuttleworth Drive grade crossing on October 13th, 2005.

Norfolk Southern MP15DC No. NS 2353 (ex Southern) looks very smart in a new coat of black paint outside Enola shops on March 15th, 2005. This locomotive was only the sixth MP15DC to be purchased by Southern, arriving in mid-1977. Note, no large silencer.

So far so good. However, things get more tricky when you look elsewhere in the new colour schemes that Atlas has revealed, specifically with the Canadian Pacific red version.

Look at the small print and you’ll note a disclaimer which explains that the radiator section on the Atlas model is slightly different to the actual version fitted to these machines. They in fact seem to sport something more akin to that found on the MP15ACs (so close that it may be possible to get Athearn Genesis spares that will be an almost straight swap)!

Unlike the MP15ACs, the CP MP15DC fleet has been acquired from a number of different sources, including USS MinnTac (including an ex Conrail/Reading machine), North Louisiana Gulf and Mobil Mining & Minerals. Atlas has chosen four numbers from the five ex MinnTac locos leased from Trinity Leasing in early 2003 (Nos. 1440-44), which appear to be the main active members of the small CP MP15DC fleet (pictures of No. 1443 seem to be rare, so I am not surprised that Atlas has missed out on this one). The NLG locos would have been the closest to Atlas’ model, but these never gained CP red and now look to be off the roster.

Like the Athearn MP15AC, Atlas has no chance of accurately representing the Canadian Pacific locomotives in every detail anyway, as modifications, mainly the flush plating of cabside and cab rear windows has been rife. Of the four chosen numbers, only No. 1442 has kept its full complement. All weather windows have also been fitted.

Anyway, after 30 months or so of looking enviously at the numerous different colours of MP15DCs so far produced, it’s nice to finally get a couple of livery choices that I wouldn’t mind adding to my fleet. Delivery is planned for the third quarter, so plenty of time to save up too!