MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

Part of the post-World War II experimentation with "super lightweights," the Aerotrain is perhaps the most famous and certainly one of the most unusual attempts at resurrecting dwindling U.S. passenger revenues. Even its design is an example of cost-efficiency: the 1200 horsepower locomotive was basically a dressed-up version of an EMD switcher, and the passenger cars were modified intercity bus carbodies riding on two axles. But having these common mix-and-match parts did not mean the Aerotrain was generic! The distinctive outlines of the turret-cab carbody are unmistakable. Only two Aerotrain sets were built in 1956, and they were leased to four railroads, including the Pennsylvania, for testing before they were finally sold to Rock Island in 1958. They saw service for only ten years before they were donated in 1966 to the National Transportation Museums in Green Bay and St. Louis. This futuristic train is a fascinating part of U.S. railroading history, and M.T.H. is proud to make it available in the livery it wore while in service for the New York Central.