HO Scale Atlas MARC #4902 AEM-7 Electric Locomotive. Powered with Box.
I. History:
a. The AEM-7:
The AEM-7 is a twin-cab four-axle 7,000 hp (5.2 MW) B-B electric locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) and ASEA between 1978 and 1988. The locomotive was a derivative of the Swedish SJ Rc4 designed for passenger service in the United States. The primary customer was Amtrak, which bought 54 for use on the Northeast Corridor and Keystone Corridor. Two commuter operators, MARC and SEPTA, also purchased locomotives, for a total of 65. The Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD, now Electro-Motive Diesel) built them, with carbodies from the Budd Company and electrical and running gear imported from Sweden.
Amtrak ordered the AEM-7 after the failure of the GE E60 locomotive to replace the GG-1 fleet. The first locomotives entered service in 1980 and were an immediate success, ending a decade of uncertainty on the Northeast Corridor. In the late 1990s, Amtrak rebuilt 29 of its locomotives from DC to AC traction. The locomotives continued operating through the arrival of the final Siemens ACS-64 in June 2016. MARC retired its fleet in April 2017 in favor of Siemens Chargers.
b. Maryland Area Regional Commuter Transit (MARC) and the AEM-7:
On October 1986, MARC began testing an Amtrak AEM-7 locomotive, looking to use push-pull trains to replace the Arrows. On February 27, 1989, MARC increased Washington–Baltimore service from 7 to 13 weekday round trips. A new park-and-ride station opened at Bowie State (site of Jericho Park station, closed in 1981) and Bowie station was closed. Two more round trips were added in May 1989.
On May 1, 1991, MARC service was extended north from Baltimore to Perryville with intermediate stops at Martin State Airport, Edgewood, and Aberdeen. Between 1988 and 1993, MARC expanded service from 34 to 70 total daily trips across the system. In 1995, 800 parking spaces were added to Odenton station.
c. The Camden Line:
From 1989 to 1996, the Camden Line had high ridership growth and substantial changes to its stations. A new station at Savage just off Route 32 was opened on July 31, 1989.[36] MARC began service to Greenbelt station in May 1993, seven months before Metro began serving the station.[37] On January 31, 1994, MARC expanded midday service on the Camden and Brunswick lines, opened Laurel Race Track station to relieve a parking shortage at Laurel station, and closed the underused Berwyn station on the Camden Line. On December 12, 1994, Muirkirk station (originally planned as South Laurel) was opened to reduce congestion on nearby Route 1.In 1996, a $1.2 million project added 600 parking spaces at Savage station to relieve crowding.[35] In July 1996, the Elkridge station was closed and replaced with Dorsey station, which has a larger parking area and a dedicated interchange with Route 100.
On April 30, 1987, the B&O was merged into CSX. CSX continued to operate Camden and Brunswick Line service.[On July 6, 1987, MARC opened Metropolitan Grove station - the first new station on the Brunswick line in over a century. MARC retired the AEM-7 as of April 2017, units were placed in storage, pending disposition.
d. The Atlas Company:
For over 60 years, Atlas has been a leader in the world of model railroading. Atlas has its roots in model railroad track and accessory making through invention, innovation, and ingenuity. Atlas has a proud reputation as a family-owned business and is well-known for quality and excellence. Repair parts and accessories are available from the company’s website.
II.For sale:
HO Scale Atlas MARC AEM-7 Electric Locomotive #4902 Powered with box.
Features:
Operating pantographs
die-cast chassis,
dual flywheell motor,
Accumate(R) couplers, operating directional headlights and marker lights,
full cab interior
separately applied wire grab irons roof detail and accurate painting and lettering.
Also includes an integral switch on the circuit board which allows the modeler to select either the pantographs or track power for easy operation.
Unit has been Track Tested and runs well as of 2020.
NOTE: This item has been in storage for an extended period. It is recommended for longer running time and better performance to inspect,and clean out the gear case of all old grease, particularly if the grease has caked (hard, and dry) use Isopropyl alcohol and toothbrush.and lubing w/ Labelle 106 usually does the trick, Other bushing/ bearing points should be oiled w/ plastic compatible lubricant (motor shaft, worm bearing as well as any axle and other pivot points".
Recomend experienced buyer or gift for adult (14+) Model railtoder. This sale is for MARC 4902, other numbers ar in images from previous sale, the only diffrence is the number
III. Upgrading from DC to DCC:
To upgrade, recomend the Atlas AEM-7 to DCC The Train Control System (TCS) DP2X digital decoder SKU: 1028 MSRP $37.00 (not included above average skill and soldering requierd).
IV. BOX:
Box shows little shelf wear foam insert is sound.
V. Shipping:
Free local pick up Seattle WA area. Domestic: free USPS. International shipping: through eBay International shipping program.