General Motors Electro-Motive Division F7
Diesel Locomotive
R.55 'Tri-ang Railways' / 'Transcontinental' Diesel 'A' Unit
- red and silver-grey - 4008
The model was first issued in the Winter of 1955 and continued to be available, in various forms, until 1966.
In all versions of the various liveries, 45,000 powered locomotives were sold individually
plus almost 75,000 in train sets = total sales of about 120,000 models.
There are five main livery / lettering variations:
In all versions of the various liveries, 45,000 powered locomotives were sold individually
plus almost 75,000 in train sets = total sales of about 120,000 models.
There are five main livery / lettering variations:
Please click on the pictures (below) to view larger images
Canadian Issue - Pre-production Model
R.55CN Canadian National Diesel 'A' Unit
- black with red nose and white diagonal body stripes - 6516
On close inspection it can be seen that this model is an over-paint of a standard R.55 red and silver-grey model of the period (see above).
These original models were moulded in grey plastic with a red over-sprayed nose and red stripes running along the lower body. They carried a yellow 'whisker' transfer on the front of the cab and 'Transcontinental' lettering heat-printed in yellow along the sides.
These original models were moulded in grey plastic with a red over-sprayed nose and red stripes running along the lower body. They carried a yellow 'whisker' transfer on the front of the cab and 'Transcontinental' lettering heat-printed in yellow along the sides.
The re-paint process is described by Peter Zimmermann.
The model maker started with the body of a silver-grey TC loco with 'Transcontinental' markings. It is clear that the first step was the spraying of the entire body exterior in semi-gloss black. The next step was to spray the cab using the standard mask of the time for the red cab TC version however (because of differences between the TC and the CN cabs) before putting the mask into position they masked off the cab window surrounds and roof with tape.
Because the spray mask for the TC model did not allow for a triangular red area behind the cab doors this was then painted by hand as well as a couple of touch-up spots along the edge of where the tape had been applied. Next; the diagonal white side stripes were masked and sprayed followed by the hand painting of all markings. The clear plastic window insert and metal horns were removed and replaced to facilitate the spray painting process.
The model maker started with the body of a silver-grey TC loco with 'Transcontinental' markings. It is clear that the first step was the spraying of the entire body exterior in semi-gloss black. The next step was to spray the cab using the standard mask of the time for the red cab TC version however (because of differences between the TC and the CN cabs) before putting the mask into position they masked off the cab window surrounds and roof with tape.
Because the spray mask for the TC model did not allow for a triangular red area behind the cab doors this was then painted by hand as well as a couple of touch-up spots along the edge of where the tape had been applied. Next; the diagonal white side stripes were masked and sprayed followed by the hand painting of all markings. The clear plastic window insert and metal horns were removed and replaced to facilitate the spray painting process.
Note the crude hand-painted red paintwork swirling around the silver riveted porthole.
Canadian Issue - Production Models
R.55CN Canadian National Diesel 'A' Unit - black - 4008
Type 1 - issued 1965-1968 with bright red nose and *white diagonal body stripes
*note that the so-called 'white' diagonal body stripes are actually pale duck-egg blue in colour on this version of the CN Diesel
R.55CN Canadian National Diesel 'A' Unit - black - 4008
Type 2 - issued 1968-1969 with dark red nose (matt finish) and silver diagonal body stripes
Although manufactured and issued in 1968-1969, and having been replaced in 1970 by the version of the model with bright red nose and silver diagonal body stripes, significant unsold quantities of this model remained in stock in the warehouse in 1971. To clear these stock remainders, many of the 1971 sets were released with this dark red nose version of the model included in the set.
R.0551 Canadian National Diesel 'A' Unit - black - 4008
Type 3 - issued 1970-1974 with bright red nose and silver diagonal body stripes
Canadian PacificTwo livery variations were made and sent to Canada from 1967-1971 The body moulding was produced in two distinct colours. From 1967-1970 the models were produced in a mid-grey colour. |
New evidence, from examining the contents of some of the very late Special Train Sets, now suggests that the final batch of models, circa 1970-1971, was produced in a much paler grey coloured plastic.
About 6,400 individually boxed models were manufactured plus at least 2,600 bulk packed (unboxed) were sent to Canada for use in sets = total production of about 9,000 models.
R.55CP / R.0552 Canadian Pacific Diesel 'A' Unit - grey and maroon - 4008
Type 1
R.0552 Canadian Pacific Diesel 'A' Unit - pale grey and maroon - 4008
Type 2
R.55CP Canadian Pacific Diesel 'A' Unit - grey and deep pink - 4008
Type 1 - Factory Error
This colour variant is a production error.
How this model ever managed to elude quality control at the Margate Factory remains a mystery but clearly something went seriously wrong with the paint mixture. Note: the unusual colour has not been caused by the paint being faded by sunlight or by any other artificial means.
How this model ever managed to elude quality control at the Margate Factory remains a mystery but clearly something went seriously wrong with the paint mixture. Note: the unusual colour has not been caused by the paint being faded by sunlight or by any other artificial means.
CP Rail livery - made 1970-1972
About 8,500 individually boxed models were manufactured plus at least 5,500 bulk packed (unboxed) were sent to Canada for use in sets = total production of about 14,000
About 8,500 individually boxed models were manufactured plus at least 5,500 bulk packed (unboxed) were sent to Canada for use in sets = total production of about 14,000
R.0553 CP Rail Diesel 'A' Unit - orange-red and black - 1404
Transcontinental livery (similar to CP Rail) – made 1971-1972
About 6,900 unboxed models were produced for use in sets (originally for Australia and then, in addition, for the UK).
The model was not intended for sale in Canada but some found their way across 'the pond' and were sold in ‘bubble packs’. The pictured model in the still-sealed 'bubble pack' most probably dates from 1972-1973.
About 6,900 unboxed models were produced for use in sets (originally for Australia and then, in addition, for the UK).
The model was not intended for sale in Canada but some found their way across 'the pond' and were sold in ‘bubble packs’. The pictured model in the still-sealed 'bubble pack' most probably dates from 1972-1973.
R.0553 Transcontinental Diesel 'A' Unit - orange-red and black - 1404
The correct number of this model is R.0550 although it was never officially listed in any catalogue or price list for sale as an individual item.
The only catalogue reference for this item is on page 9 of the 1972 UK Catalogue where it is shown as part of the RS.101A 'Overlander' Set.
Even though this 'Transcontinental' Diesel Locomotive has never been catalogued as a separate item it does turn up in the 1970 vintage Canadian bubble packs bearing the number R.0553. Since that number is the one designated to the almost identical CP Rail version of this locomotive it is probable that the individually packaged examples are the result of Louis Marx / Tri-ang selling residual stocks of this model alongside the CP Rail Locomotive since they are very similar in appearance.
Even though this 'Transcontinental' Diesel Locomotive has never been catalogued as a separate item it does turn up in the 1970 vintage Canadian bubble packs bearing the number R.0553. Since that number is the one designated to the almost identical CP Rail version of this locomotive it is probable that the individually packaged examples are the result of Louis Marx / Tri-ang selling residual stocks of this model alongside the CP Rail Locomotive since they are very similar in appearance.
Neverwazza !
A superb repaint of the R.55 Diesel, by Graeme Brown, to match the duo-tone green 2nd series Transcontinental Passenger Cars;
similar to the original Canadian National Railways passenger colours.
similar to the original Canadian National Railways passenger colours.