TEP 60 said:
What rolling stock is this third rail produced for? Please give the links to these models. Thanks!
And are other third rails ever produced in H0?
Since I live in an area with 3rd-rail traffic, I figure I'd contribute. :thumb:
Amtrak actually uses the 3rd-rail in my area (New York City)-- They have the General Electric P32AC-DM locomotives, which can either use the 3rd-rail or its own diesel engine. The P32AC-DM looks like the original AMD103 Genesis diesel passenger locomotives (P40DC and P42DC), but has 3rd-rail pickup shoes mounted on its truck sideframes. The grilles and fans are also different.
Before the P32AC-DM Gennies showed up, Amtrak used the FL9. (EMD F-unit with a 2-axle truck in the front and 3-axle truck in the back, also dual-mode. Very odd-looking locomotive).
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) and Metro-North (the commuter railroad that serves upstate NY and Connecticut) also uses the P32AC-DM, and has several painted up in the old New Haven colors (very snappy-looking!). They also use EMU commuter trains too.
Down on Long Island (where I am), the Long Island Railroad uses the EMD DM30AC passenger diesels, which are also dual-mode like the GE P32AC-DM and can draw power off a 3rd rail. The LIRR and NYCTA Subway uses a slightly different 3rd-rail system though, where the pickup shoe slides over the 3rd-rail. The Metro North and Amtrak's 3rd-rail pickup slides under the 3rd-rail.
As far as modeling these in HO goes, if you want an accurate model of the P32AC-DM, it needs to be kitbashed-- You have to start with an Athearn P42DC model, alter the grilles and fan details on the shells, and add on the 3rd-rail pickup shoes. It's going to involve a bit of detail-scratchbuilding. I think there was an article in a past issue of Railroad Model Craftsman on how to do this. If you don't want to bother with the details, you can paint up a P42DC in those colors and would still look "close enough."
I think one of those brass import companies had an LIRR DM30AC loco available a while back, don't remember which..
Hope this helps!
(Metro North/ConnDOT P32AC-DM)