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After almost 7 years of constant searching I still haven't been able to come up with an Atlas O scale SP mp15ac yard switcher. There have been a few Atlas HO scale SP mp15's up for auction on the bay plus 1 or 2 O scale brass units (very pricy) but not a single example from Atlas Models. To made matters even worse when Atlas shut down their on-line forum a couple of years ago I lost a good source for my search plus the only response from Atlas was they might do a re-run sometime in the future - I'm not holding my breath! I've been told the Atlas model isn't exactly 100% correct but I'm more than willing to live with a few detail errors. My guess is Atlas made very very few SP switchers in O scale so my thought is someone on the OGR 2-rail forum might be able to help me locate one. It already occur to me that I could purchase an undecorated mp15 and have it painted in SP colors but I prefer a factory painted version if possible.

 

So any help would be greatly appreciated.............

Last edited by nyccollector1
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Originally Posted by nyccollector1:

HW,

 

I'm sure you're correct about which exact MP15's and or SW1500's units SP did or did not own. Frankly it doesn't matter to me one way or another - I just want an Atlas O scale SP MP15 period!

Well then, I suggest that you be more specific, as the EMD MP15AC model looks COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than the "regular" MP15 model. Also, has Atlas O ever even PRODUCED a model of the EMD MP15AC? I model steam locomotives so I don't follow model diesels that much.

The switcher you are looking for is actually an "MP15DC".  It differs from the MP15AC in that the DC version has a DC main generator, while the AC version has an AC main "alternator".  The AC and DC versions are also very different on the outside.  The easy way to tell the AC version is that it has see-through radiator intake grills low on the sides, instead of in front, akin to a SD45T-2/SD40T-2 tunnel motor.

 

The traction motors; however, on both versions were still DC motors, not to be confused with today's AC traction motor equipped locos, like the SD70ACe.  EMD was using the DC/AC suffix on their model designations at that time since it was a transition period when AC alternators were starting to appear as an option on their locomotives that were once produced with either DC main generators or AC alternators.  They also used this suffix on their GP38AC units. 

 

Overland may have produced an SP detailed MP15AC in brass but they are going to be more rare than the Atlas MP15DC version, that's for sure .

 

Here is a link to more detailed info on the MP15DC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_MP15DC

 

Also, in this issue of OST there is a great article on weathering the Atlas SP MP15DC and it is free to download.

http://www.oscalemag.com/docs/ost_44.pdf

 

Good luck in your search.  The SP version is definitely a looker in my book.

 

Scott K.

Austin, TX

Last edited by Scott Kay

Scott,

SP MP15DC it is and I can't thank you enough for telling me about the excellent article in 'O Scale Magazine' - very impressive indeed! Frankly, I had absolutely no idea this particular little SP yard switcher was so popular or desirable in the O scale 2-rail community. Devoting and entire detailed article to weathering this diesel came as a complete and pleasant surprise to me.

FWIW .... months back I inquired at Atlas about MP15's. I don't have the email and I don't remember who it was at Atlas, but I was told that they were going to do another run of them after the latest batch of SW's, which are due in March.

 

They were going to do new roadnumbers of previously run roadnames, but they did not know which roadnames.

 

 

"Guess I never realized that the SP purchased any MP15AC units. I know that SP had lots of SW1500 and MP15 units though."

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the big majority of SP MP15's are AC units.

 

 

Last edited by CNJ Jim
Originally Posted by Hot Water:
Originally Posted by EBT Jim: 

"Guess I never realized that the SP purchased any MP15AC units. I know that SP had lots of SW1500 and MP15 units though."

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the big majority of SP MP15's are AC units.

Then you would be wrong.

 

MP15DC  12 units  #2690-2701

 

MP15AC  58 units  #2702-2759

 

That's not correct?

Last edited by CNJ Jim

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