The 44-tonner is an engine that has been rarely produced in the toy train scales. The notable exception is Lionel’s O gauge model first introduced in 1956. Slim in detail and way out of scale even by toy standards, the Lionel 44-tonner has never found a vast following.
The USA Trains 44-tonner commemorates one of General Electric’s early successes. The weight of the prototype meant that the locomotive could be run without a fireman. The design also featured superb visibility, so there weren’t “bad” sight-lines like there were from the cab of many Baldwin, Alco, or GM switchers. As a result, the engine proved to be popular with large railroads, stone quarries, grain elevators, and industrial plants, and this model may well find a warm place in your heart as well!
This is a good model of the prototype. General Electric made many slight carbody variations to meet the requirements (or tastes) of its customers, and in fact the same or similar carbodies were used also for 45-ton, 65-ton, and 80-ton switchers.
The locomotive is of comparable size and utility to USA Trains’ NW2 (CTT, July 1997), measuring 14 inches long compared to the NW2’s 19 inches.
The model has ample simulated door hinges, latches, and fore and aft vents, which should made detail mavens very happy. As with all USA Trains engines, there is some interesting underbody detail: a simulated toolbox on one side and two fuel tanks on the other.
The engine has two simulated horns and simulated window wipers. The handrails are very nice and interestingly, there is a single air hose on each pilot instead of the usual array of hoses and multiple unit connectors on some models. The nose of each end features a bright directional headlight. Easy to use controls located on the belly include motor, lights, smoke, and sound control for an optional sound system.
All wheels are metal and there are two power pickups per truck. There are a total of four traction tires. The engine also features metal sprung trucks in black or silver, as appropriate to the paint scheme.
Some of the finest paint application in the industry can be found on USA Trains products, and the decoration on this unit is no exception. The Union Pacific and Great Northern samples we saw have exacting detail, clean numbering, and no overspray, and we noted no drips, mars, or other defects to spoil the finish.
Even small detail items such as the General Electric logo, “350 H.P.” on the Union Pacific version or “380 H.P.” on the Great Northern model, help add authenticity.
The cab interior is decorated pale green and has the usual complement of simulated gauges, hand-brake controls, and an engineer figure. The cab even features an opening door that USA Trains fans have come to expect.
With power provided by an LGB Jumbo DC transformer, the 44-tonner delivered an excellent speed range that we’ve come to expect from USA locomotives. Our test samples had a very slight whirring noise in one direction, but they were otherwise silent. Response to commands was instantaneous, and speed transitions from low to high and back were all very smooth. Drawbar pull was 1.2 lbs.
The low-end speed was 2.9 scale mph, and the high-end speed was 63.3, which probably would have been high for the real thing, but any slower and you’d probably fall asleep waiting for your engine to return to the home station or starting point!
USA Trains has made a great model of the 44-ton switcher. This smooth-running locomotive is a great candidate for giving your line “personality” without being too “cute.”
After years of use on my outdoors railroad I can honestly say that this unit is my most reliable locomotive. It runs where others may stall or hesitate probably due to the power pick-ups, it and smokes up real well. This is a very good, basic and pratical loco. I would give it the 5th star if I didn't have to convert the USA coupler.