Rapido is excited to present a brand - new set of HO scale locomotives, the General Electric 44 - Ton diesel. Commonly known as '44 - tonners', these locomotives were designed with a compact build. In 1937, a labor agreement with railroad unions stated that locomotives over 90,000 pounds needed a fireman. With a target weight of 44 tons (88,000 pounds), these diesels only required an engineer, saving on crew costs. They're great for light switching, industrial, and shop use. Between 1940 and 1956, over 300 GE 44 - ton locomotives were built in different variations. They served across North America (Canada, USA, and México), as well as in Australia, Cuba, India, France, Saudi Arabia, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. The US Navy and Air Force also owned some. Many are still in operation in industrial and short - line services, and numerous examples have been preserved. Rapido's HO model has all - new tooling, representing units from Phase Ic, Phase III, and Phase IV, most of which have never been available in a plastic ready - to - run model before. The Rapido Trains HO scale GE 44 - Tonner locomotive has multiple phases and detail variations. Phase Ic (new in plastic) comes with or without lighted hood side number boards. Phase III has positionable top hood hatches, and there's also Phase IV. It features a heavy, die - cast chassis and fuel tank, correct fuel tank skirting in two styles, separately - applied door latches, a full cab interior, photo - etched cab steps, a smooth - running, strong coreless motor with dual flywheels. DC models are DCC ready with NEXT - 18 decoder socket and speakers, while DCC models have sound with ESU decoders and sounds, along with our 'Mo - Power' power capacitor.

Using your Rapido HO scale GE 44 - Tonner locomotive is easy. First, make sure it's on a clean and properly connected track. If you have a DC model, you can connect it to your DC power source and it's DCC ready, so you can upgrade to DCC later. For DCC models, you can enjoy the built - in sound right away. When handling the locomotive, be gentle as it has delicate parts like the separately - applied door latches and photo - etched cab steps. To maintain it, regularly clean the wheels with a soft, dry cloth to ensure smooth running. Check the motor and other components for any signs of wear or damage. Keep it stored in a dry and dust - free place when not in use. If you need to replace the decoder or capacitor in the DCC model, follow the instructions carefully. Enjoy your model train adventures with this high - quality locomotive!