Rebuilt EMD E8A with Head-End Power HEP - Standard DC -- Metro North #497 (Ex-Amtrak Phase II, silver, red, blue, white, black, MN Lo

The prototypes of the Rapido Trains HO Scale Rebuilt EMD E8A with Head-End Power HEP were remanufactured from older E8A diesels for continued service hauling electrically heated passenger cars. Burlington Northern received 25 units rebuilt by Morrison Knudsen and Amtrak received five rebuilt by Penn Central. The BN fleet operated in Chicago commuter service into the 1990s and a pair of the Amtrak units were sold to Conrail for their business train use, and one more went to Metro North. BN also rebuilt one for business trains. The HO Scale replicas feature appropriate detailing and applied details for their scheme including correct HEP muffler and hatch, multiple dynamic brake options and fans, sealed, twin-beam headlight configuration, modified pilots, blanked sides with appropriate grille work and more. The standard DC model is DCC ready and features a 21-pin socket and the mechanism features dual flywheels and magnetic knuckle couplers. EMD E8As with HEP are part of the extensive line of Rapido Trains HO Scale locomotives.