Broadway Limited - 6620 - Locomotive, Diesel, Alco RSD-15 - Penn Central - 6811

Model Information: First released in 2022, BLI are offering models of the RSD-15's in N scale with DCC & Sound for the first time. BLI are offering models of RSD-15's from 9 railroads in 10 distinct paint schemes. All road numbers and paint schemes are prototypically accurate. They are also building three models that were very similar in real life - two C&O RSD-7's and a CP RSD-17. The models will be BLI RSD-15 models with the C&O and CP paint schemes applied. There wasn't a lot of detail variation among the RSD-15's, and they were making three distinct models - a standard low-hood model, a standard high-hood model, and a PRR-type high hood model with different locations for the bell and horns.

Independently controllable lights in each RSD-15 model:

• Headlight
• Rear Light
• Cab Light
• Front & Rear Numberboards

Model Features:

• Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
• Precision Drive Mechanism Engineered for Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed Operation
• All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
• ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
• Premium Caliber Painting
• Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
• Many Separately Applied Details such as Handrails, Grab Irons, Horns, Bell, and Antenna
• Prototypical Light Operation
• MicroTrains-compatible couplers (2)
• Will Operate on Code 55, Code 70, and Code 80 Rail
• Minimum Operating Radius: 9 inches

Read our article on this model here.

DCC Information:
Paragon4 Sound and Control System:

• Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the Alco RSD-15 Diesel Locomotive
• Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
• Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track
• Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
• Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
• Record & Play Operation - Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
• High Resolution Audio
• Quillable Horn for various whistle lengths and patterns
• Choice of 3 selectable Horns
• Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle - both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
• Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
• Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
• Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
• Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
• Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal
• Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load
• Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
• EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

Prototype History: The ALCO RSD-15 was a diesel-electric locomotive of the road switcher type built by ALCO (the American Locomotive Company) of Schenectady, New York between August 1956 and June 1960, during which time 75 locomotives were produced. The RSD-15 was powered by an ALCO 251 16-cylinder four-cycle V-type prime mover rated at 2,400 horsepower (1.79 MW); it superseded the almost identical ALCO 244-engined RSD-7, and was catalogued alongside the similar but smaller 1,800 hp (1.34 MW) RSD-12, powered by a 12-cylinder 251-model V-type diesel engine.
A single example of the very similar model RSD-17 was built by the Montreal Locomotive Works in 1957 and purchased by the Canadian Pacific (as #8921).

The locomotive rode on a pair of three-axle Trimount trucks, in an AAR C-C wheel arrangement, with all axles powered by General Electric model 752 traction motors. These trucks have an asymmetrical axle spacing because of the positioning of the traction motors. The six-motor design allowed higher tractive effort at lower speeds than an otherwise similar four-motor design. The RSD-15 could be ordered with either a high or low short hood; railfans dubbed the low short hood version "Alligators", on account of their unusually long low noses.

From Wikipedia

Road Name History: The Penn Central Transportation Company, commonly abbreviated to Penn Central, was an American Class I railroad headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that operated from 1968 until 1976. It was created by the 1968 merger of the Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads. The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad was added to the merger in 1969; by 1970, the company had filed for what was, at that time, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history.

The Penn Central was created as a response to challenges faced by all three railroads in the late 1960s. The northeastern quarter of the United States, these railroads' service area, was the most densely populated region of the U.S. While railroads elsewhere in North America drew a high percentage of their revenues from the long-distance shipment of commodities such as coal, lumber, paper and iron ore, Northeastern railroads traditionally depended on a mix of services.

As it turned out, the merged Penn Central was little better off than its constituent roads were before. A merger implementation plan was drawn up, but not carried out. Attempts to integrate operations, personnel and equipment were not very successful, due to clashing corporate cultures, incompatible computer systems and union contracts. Track conditions deteriorated (some of these conditions were inherited from the three merged railroads) and trains had to be run at reduced speeds. This meant delayed shipments and personnel working a lot of overtime. As a result, operating costs soared. Derailments and wrecks became frequent, particularly in the midwest.

The American financial system was shocked when after only two years of operations, the Penn Central Transportation company was put into bankruptcy on June 21, 1970. It was the largest corporate bankruptcy in American history at that time. Although the Penn Central Transportation Company was put into bankruptcy, its parent Penn Central Company was able to survive.

The Penn Central continued to operate freight service under bankruptcy court protection. After private-sector reorganization efforts failed, Congress nationalized the Penn Central under the terms of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976. The new law folded six northeastern railroads, the Penn Central and five smaller, failed lines, into the Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail. The act took effect on April 1, 1976.

Read more on Wikipedia.

Brand/Importer Information: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC defines itself as "the world's foremost producer of top-quality HO and N scale model trains".

The company was founded in 2002 and introduced its first N scale model in 2009.

Broadway Limited Imports is composed of a team of 15 fun loving individuals who are dedicated to creating the most realistic model railroading experience possible, with the best customer service possible.

The Broadway Limited Imports headquarters is located in Ormond Beach, Florida at 9 East Tower Circle. It's just under an hour's drive from Disney World.

About Broadway Limited Imports.