The Electro-Motive Division F40PHM-2 is the latest HO scale commuter diesel from Rapido Trains. The four-axle unit uses plastic and die-cast metal construction and has numerous factory-applied detail parts and an assortment of lighting functions.
Prototype history
Electro-Motive Division produced the F40PHM-2 between October 1991 and December 1992. Initial assembly was done in London, Ontario, Canada, with the remaining work completed at LaGrange, Ill. During the course of the production run, 30 units were built, all for Chicago-area commuter railroad Metra. The full-size locomotives, rated at 3,200 horsepower, are equipped with a 16-cylinder, 645E3 diesel engine; an AR10 alternator; and D77 traction motors. The commuter engines are used on Metra’s Rock Island District and BNSF Ry. lines.
The sample we received is decorated as Metra 206, part of the commuter agency’s 185 through 214 series. The locomotive was built in September 1992 under order number 896065. The unit was delivered in the blue-and-orange scheme. When rebuilt in the late 2010s, the 206 was repainted the fade scheme depicted on the model.
The streamlined front end of the F40PHM-2 diesels, with the split windows sloping back from nose to the roofline, earned these units the nickname “Winnebago” as they look similar to the recreational vehicle. The commuter diesels were the last units EMD produced in its F40 series.
Model features
The Rapido model has a one-piece plastic body with a variety of separate, factory-applied parts. The front pilot has a snow plow, m.u. and train line hoses with the glad hands picked in silver, train line receptacles, and an uncoupling lever. The rear pilot lacks a plow but has similar details, in addition to extra train line receptacles along the bottom edge.
Features on the nose include factory-painted and installed wire grab irons; work platforms; windshield wipers; and headlights, marker lights, and ditch lights. The Gyralite and red warning light are located between the factory-printed number boards.
The F40PHM-2 has a multi-piece cab interior that’s painted in prototypical colors. Details on the cab roof include a Sinclair antenna, a metal Nathan P5a air horn, a Positive Train Control antenna array, two air conditioners, and a layover system alarm light.
Additional features on the long hood include a plastic dynamic brake fan with an etched-metal grill and 10-blade fan, three radiator cooling fans with 8-blade fans, and metal lift rings. The radiator grills are see-through, etched-metal parts. Factory-applied plastic parts include the turbo-exhaust silencer hatch, inertial filter hatch, and engine room vent.
Freestanding parts on the rear of the long hood include wire grab irons, a chain for the personnel door, and an etched-metal platform with diamond-tread pattern. The headlight, painted orange, and sand box fillers are molded.
Rapido didn’t skimp on the details on the GP single-shoe trucks. The plastic castings include factory-installed brake cylinders, snubbers, spring hangers, and formed wire air pipes. The lead axle on the front and rear trucks on the conductor’s side are fitted with speed recorder cables.
A 2,000-gallon fuel tank is located behind the front truck. To the rear of that, on the conductor’s side, is the battery box. The main air reservoir is adjacent to that on the engineer’s side. Like other Rapido offerings, the F40PHM-2 has as assortment freestanding underbody piping and conduit.
A closer look
To separate the shell from the chassis, I removed the front and rear draft-gear boxes. Then, as outlined on pages 6 and 7 of the operator’s manual, I gently spread the shell above the second and third axles to disengage the tabs that lock into slots on the shell. No wires or details are tethered to the shell, so it lifts right off.
The five-pole skew-wound motor with dual flywheels is nested in the center of the weight that fills most of the chassis. The motherboard, attached to the weight with two screws, spans the motor. Capacitors for the MoPower temporary energy storage system and ESU LokSound V5 decoder are attached to the board. Above the rear truck are two cube-style speakers.
I compared the Rapido HO scale EMD F40PHM-2 to prototype elevation drawings. The Rapido model matches all major dimensions. Nice work!
Our review sample features an ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder. I tested the locomotive at the workbench using an NCE Power Cab. At step 1, the commuter diesel moved at under 1 scale mile per hour. At step 28, the F40PHM-2 achieved a top speed of 66 smph. The full-size diesel has a top speed of 108 mph.
The commuter unit has a drawbar pull of 3.7 ounces. This is equivalent to approximately 17 free-rolling passenger cars on straight and level track.
In addition to the EMD F40PHM-2, Rapido offers Budd gallery commuter coaches and cab cars in a variety of paint schemes. This one-two combination makes it easier than every to model Metra commuter trains in HO scale from the early 1990s to the present day.
Facts & features
Price: Direct-current model, $239.95; with ESU LokSound V5 sound decoder, $349.95
Manufacturer
Rapido Trains Inc.
500 Alden Rd., Unit 21
Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5H5
Era: October 1991 to present
Road names: Metra (late 1990s to current blue scheme; blue scheme with Operation Lifesaver logo; 2017 to current fade scheme; and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy heritage scheme). One to four road numbers per paint scheme.
Features
- Body-mounted metal couplers, at correct height
- Metal wheel stubs on plastic axles, in gauge
- Minimum radius, 18”
- Weight: 1 pound, 0.3 ounce
