{"product_id":"rap48565","title":"Rapido HO Scale GE 44 Tonner Western Maryland WM #75 Black DCC\/Sound – RAP48565","description":"\n\u003ch2\u003eRapido HO Scale GE 44 Tonner – Western Maryland #75 – DCC\/Sound\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdd a distinctive Western Maryland diesel switcher to your HO Scale railroad with the \u003cstrong\u003eRapido Trains GE 44 Tonner Western Maryland #75\u003c\/strong\u003e, finished in the railroad's classic black paint scheme with gold lettering and the recognizable red Fireball herald. This detailed Phase II locomotive combines authentic railroad-specific detailing with smooth-running performance and factory-installed ESU DCC\/Sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe General Electric 44 Tonner was designed for light switching assignments, industrial facilities, railroad shops, and smaller yards where larger diesel locomotives were unnecessary. Its compact center-cab design made it particularly useful for handling freight cars in confined operating areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWestern Maryland GE 44 Tonner #75 – Phase II\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis model represents \u003cstrong\u003eWestern Maryland #75 with the Phase II body configuration\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the GE 44 Tonner variations featured in Rapido's newer production run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWestern Maryland #75 features a black locomotive body with contrasting gold WESTERN MARYLAND lettering, gold handrails, and the railroad's distinctive red Fireball herald.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Western Maryland Railway operated through Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, serving coal-producing regions, industrial customers, and connecting railroads. Compact diesel locomotives such as the GE 44 Tonner were useful for lighter switching assignments and railroad facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFactory-Installed ESU DCC \u0026amp; Sound\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis locomotive features a \u003cstrong\u003efactory-installed ESU DCC\/Sound decoder\u003c\/strong\u003e, providing realistic diesel locomotive sounds, horn, bell, and additional operating functions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRapido's MoPower capacitor system helps maintain decoder operation during brief interruptions in electrical pickup, particularly useful for switching through turnouts, industrial sidings, and yard ladders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRapido HO Scale GE 44 Tonner Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAuthentic Western Maryland Railway #75 paint scheme\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack locomotive body with gold WESTERN MARYLAND lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDistinctive red Fireball herald and gold handrails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrototype-specific Phase II body configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed GE 44-ton center-cab locomotive body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeavy die-cast chassis and fuel tank\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrototype-specific fuel tank skirting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeparately applied door latches and exterior details\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully detailed locomotive cab interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhoto-etched metal cab steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSemi-scale metal knuckle couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoreless motor with dual flywheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFactory-installed ESU DCC\/Sound decoder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRapido MoPower capacitor system\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGeneral Electric 44 Tonner Prototype History\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe General Electric 44 Tonner was introduced in 1940 as a lightweight diesel-electric locomotive designed primarily for switching service. Its approximately 88,000-pound weight kept it below the 90,000-pound threshold associated with railroad crew requirements of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 300 GE 44 Tonners were constructed between 1940 and 1956, serving railroads, shortlines, industrial facilities, and military installations. Their compact design made them especially useful for smaller freight yards and industrial switching assignments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIdeal for Western Maryland Railroad Operations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWestern Maryland #75 is an excellent choice for modelers recreating Western Maryland Railway operations during the transition and early diesel eras. Pair this locomotive with period-appropriate boxcars, gondolas, hoppers, and other freight equipment to recreate realistic local switching assignments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOperating Requirements \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rapido Trains\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e HO Scale (1:87)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRailroad:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Maryland Railway (WM)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoad Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocomotive:\u003c\/strong\u003e GE 44 Tonner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Configuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Phase II\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaint Scheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Maryland Black with Fireball Herald\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControl:\u003c\/strong\u003e DCC\/Sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSound Decoder:\u003c\/strong\u003e Factory-Installed ESU\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower Capacitor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rapido MoPower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coreless Motor with Dual Flywheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChassis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavy Die-Cast Construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCouplers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Scale Metal Knuckle Couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer Item Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 048565\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFusion Scale Hobbies SKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e RAP48565\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore More Rapido HO Scale GE 44 Tonners\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse additional models in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/rapido-ho-ge-44-tonner\"\u003eRapido HO Scale GE 44 Tonner Locomotives\u003c\/a\u003e collection and explore our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/rapido-ho-scale-locomotives\"\u003eRapido HO Scale Locomotives\u003c\/a\u003e selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShop more railroad equipment in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/rapido-trains\"\u003eRapido Trains\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/rapido-ho-scale-freight-cars\"\u003eRapido HO Scale Freight Cars\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/rapido-trains-in-stock\"\u003eRapido Trains In Stock\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/collections\/trains\"\u003eModel Trains\u003c\/a\u003e collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Rapido","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50620302917888,"sku":"RAP48565","price":279.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0613\/6453\/5552\/files\/RAP48565.jpg?v=1791998982","url":"https:\/\/fusionscalehobbies.com\/products\/rap48565","provider":"Fusion Scale Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}