AZL - 18200-3 - Locomotive, Diesel, Krauss-Maffei ML-4000 - Rio Grande - 4003

Specific Item Information: Limited Edition Brass Locomotives: Total run of 90 Krauss-Maffei units produced - 10 for each Rio Grande road number and 20 for each Southern Pacific.

Model Information: In the 1960s, The Denver & Rio Grande railroad and the Southern Pacific railroad were looking for larger more powerful locomotives. When US manufacturers failed to deliver options, these railroad turned to German locomotive manufacturer Krauss-Maffei for a solution.
Krauss-Maffei would deliver a 3,540 horse-power, six-axle locomotive, the ML-4000. These were diesel-hydraulic locomotives which were a new concept for US roads who were accustomed to electric traction motors to power the locomotives. They were powered by two Maybach MD870 V16s four stroke diesel engine. The locomotive were turbocharged and couple reach a maximum speed of 70mph.

Road Name History: The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad (reporting mark DRGW), often shortened to Rio Grande, D&RG or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, was an American Class I railroad company. The railroad started as a 3 ft (914 mm) narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870. It served mainly as a transcontinental bridge line between Denver, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 1988, the Rio Grande's parent corporation, Rio Grande Industries, purchased Southern Pacific Transportation Company, and as the result of a merger, the larger Southern Pacific Railroad name was chosen for identity. The Rio Grande operated as a separate division of the Southern Pacific, until that company was acquired by the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, most former D&RGW main lines are owned and operated by the Union Pacific while several branch lines are now operated as heritage railways by various companies.

Brand/Importer Information: AZL is the leader in North American Z scale locomotives and rolling stock. Since 2000, AZL has released a vast variety of freight, passenger and locomotives. AZL continues to push the boundaries of Z scale with amazing details and incredible performance. No matter if you are looking to run steam, or the most modern diesels, AZL has something for you.