Similarly, the difference between 3rd Rail’s brass diesel and a 3rd Rail steamer is like night and day. The company makes superb-looking steam models, but this diesel adds a new dimension to brass detailing.
The General Electric C44-9W, or Dash 9, is an exceptionally popular diesel; more than 400 were sold just in the first year it was on the market. The Dash 9 is popular in the three-rail market as well, with models offered by Lionel, MTH, Williams Electric Trains, and now 3rd Rail. Each locomotive has its own claim to fame, and 3rd Rail’s Dash 9 is the most detailed of the fleet.
As the photos show, this is a work of the modeler’s art. Praise for the high level of detailing can’t be overstated. Hatches, grates, vents, are all wonderfully replicated.
The wire grab irons on the rear of the engine are matched by wire grab irons behind the brakeman’s side of the cab. A terrific recessed fuel cap is on the rear of the engine and wire-simulated air hoses are fore and aft. There is a movable (but non-functional) coupler-release bar. Even the handrails over the forward cab windows are replicated. All of the mesh screens in both the radiator and air intake areas, are amazingly intricate, and the silver-painted sprung trucks really stand out. They look good, and after applying a wee bit of finger pressure, they actually spring.
The safety cab’s angular snout looks terrific, as do the gull wing shades over the side windows. This cab looks like it was designed with the Santa Fe’s nose logo in mind! Inside the cab you’ll find a control panel. The compartment is illuminated, but dimly, which benefits the number boards more than the cab control stand.
This is a fairly large diesel measuring 19 inches, or 75 feet, in O scale. While the locomotive itself is to scale, it is a tad longer than the prototype’s 73 feet, because of the oversized O gauge couplers. Make no mistake about it, this Dash 9 requires O-72 or wider radius track. All wheels are flanged, but what really limits the locomotive to O-72 or wider curves are its frame-mounted couplers. They look great, but they also limit the engine’s free movement. The couplers are mounted on the frame with springs to hold them taut. Metal thumbtack uncouplers are attached; however, during our testing, the rear thumbtack fell off our model and rendered the rear coupler inoperable.
The Dash 9 has all-wheel drive via a drive shaft. The engine’s single can motor, mounted in the middle of the frame, has a drive shaft that extends into each truck. This type of system is more likely to be seen in HO and two-rail O scale trains than in three-rail tinplate.
We lubricated the axles per the operating instructions. The gearboxes come lubricated and the company recommends follow-up lubrication after 20 hours of operation, with a 50/50 mix of Slick 50 lubricant and 30 weight motor oil.
During testing, the engine performanced well, averaging 23.5 scale mph on the low side and 121 scale mph on the high end. Drawbar pull for the 6 lb. locomotive was 1.0 lb. Acceleration and deceleration were a bit rough, but I suspect this would improve as the engine breaks in. Be advised that this engine has no flywheel, so when it stops, it really halts. You might try a few practice stops before you strap a piggyback train on this engine, or you risk a derailment of epic proportion.
We noted a sound that we suspected was drive train friction. It didn’t appear to interfere with performance, but it was quite audible on the quiet test track.
The model we tested has a sound unit by QSI. 3rd Rail has announced that (shell space permitting), the company will offer a Lionel TrainMaster-ready, RailSounds-equipped version of the Dash 9. The QSI diesel sounds, horn, and bell were very pleasing. We found no obvious volume control, which might be a limiting factor if you’re running on benchwork that echoes the rumble of the rails.
Five road names are being offered: Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, Chicago & North Western, CSX, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific. Keep in mind that 3rd Rail produces only limited runs of all its locomotives, so check with the company for availability.
The 3rd Rail Dash 9 is a nice entry for the company into the modern diesel market.
