HO Brass CMStP&P Milwaukee Road EF-1 Box Cab by Suydam

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HO Brass model of a Milwaukee Road EF-1 Electric Freight Locomotive Built in Japan and Imported By Suydam Models. A Little History from Wikipedia The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) classes EP-1 and EF-1 comprised 42 boxcab electric locomotives built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1915. Electrical components were from General Electric. The locomotives were composed of two half-units semi-permanently coupled back-to-back, and numbered as one unit with 'A' and 'B' suffixes. As built, 30 locomotives were assigned to freight service, classified as EF-1 and numbered 10200–10229. The remaining twelve locomotives were assigned to passenger service as class EP-1, numbered 10100–10111, with higher-speed passenger gearing. The design was highly successful, replacing a much larger number of steam locomotives, cutting costs and improving schedules.In 1919, with the arrival of a newer generation of passenger power, the EP-1 locomotives were converted to EF-1 freight locomotives, and renumbered 10230–10241. In this role, they served until the 1950s, when the arrival of the Little Joe locomotives began to replace them in freight service. They were fitted with multiple-unit train control systems, and could thus be joined together into larger sets and operated from a single control station. They were also retrofitted with a special multiple unit control system designed by an electrical engineer of The Milwaukee Road. This enabled the crew of a Boxcab to control trailing diesel electric locomotives. However, the EF-4 "Little Joes", which were also retrofitted, were more often seen leading diesel electrics than Boxcabs, which had by then been largely relegated to the role of helper or bank engine.The maximum speed of an EF-1 as built was 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). Higher speeds led to excessive strain on the traction motor armatures. The rebuilding program of the 1950s raised this to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) to help maintain faster schedules. The two powered trucks were connected together with a ball-and-socket joint, and the couplers were also attached to the trucks. The bodywork, therefore, did not take the load of the train. Each truck had outside bar frames, allowing more room for the traction motors and equipment. The front powered truck's frames extended forward and carried an outrigger truck and the heavy snowplows the units bore. Condition and Testing (This is not a loco you see on eBay very often!)This locomotive is from my large collection of HO brass that I'd like to sell while I'm living and breathing - instead of letting the kids dispose of it after I croak! I'm building a O/On30 layout in California and planning a On3 layout for our dream home in Colorado, so the HO brass must sadly go. To my recollection, Suydam is one of only two importers to import this fairly rare prototype, but they chose a very interesting spring drive that - well - might take some work to get running smoothly. If you plan to operate this locomotive, plan on re-motoring and re-gearing it for best performance. Folks tell me that the spring drive can be made to run well, but that would be a challenge for the new owner! The original box is in OK shape and the foam is replacement but manageable. As always I will pack very carefully for shipping. Payment Details Paypal is accepted. We do not have the means to accept credit cards directly. We can accept other forms of payments - If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Shipping and Combined Order Details We have decided to go with a flat shipping fee of $19.20 for all locomotive auctions in the Continental United States. This covers the cost of USPS Priority Mail ($14.50) with 2-3 day business day delivery AND insurance for the full auction price (averages $4.70). There is never a "handling charge" and we do not charge for packing materials - this would annoy me if I were a buyer. Handling time is 3-4 business days - My wife and I have full-time jobs and kids, so this... read more

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