MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

The name "Sharknose" catches the attention, and the unusual, angled profile of these striking diesel locomotives lives up to the name. Although Baldwin's sharknose carbody, which was inspired by the angled nose of the Pennsylvania Railroad's T1 steam engine, was originally developed for 2000 horsepower passenger units, it was used primarily for freight cab diesels. Baldwin's diesels competed for the freight diesel market directly with Electro-Motive Division's F-3 and with Alco's FA-1. It was the longest of the freight cab diesels, and the angled nose intensified that effect, making for a long, lean look. The Sharknose freight cabs did their jobs well, earning the nickname the "hauling fool." Their unusual air operated throttles prevented multi-unit operations with other engines, so the Sharknoses survived in their original matched AB sets far longer than EMD, Alco, and Fairbanks-Morse sets did. The sharknose silhouette was introduced in 1949 on the 1500 horsepower DR-4-4-1500 and used again for freight in 1950-53 on the 1600 horsepower RF-16. M.T.H. models the RF-16 in four exciting roadnames for the first time since 2001. This unusual engine is sure to bring a dramatic new look to any O Scale layout.