Longest O gauge locomotive?

The Lionel and Baldwin centipedes are 23"  per loco (46" for the A-A set).  I don't think they ever pulled passenger cars in real life, but neither did the sd80,sd90 or ac6000.

The Pennsylvania S1 steam engine is about 37" long, very impressive.

The Pennsy Centipedes were originally passenger locomotives.

Norm

The centipedes were originally ordered to pull the PRR's premier passenger trains, including the Broadway Limited.  After delivery in 1947-48, they were assigned to Harrisburg for passenger service to Chicago (including the Broadway Limited), St. Louis, Buffalo and Baltimore.  At the end of 1948, three sets of centipedes were moved to freight service out of Columbus, OH while the other nine sets continued to pull secondary passenger trains (no more Broadway Limited service).

In 1952-53, all of the centipedes were regeared for helper service, repainted with a single stripe replacing their original 5-stripe scheme and assigned to Altoona as helpers upgrade over Horseshoe Curve.

In terms of Pennsy passenger power "as delivered," the centipedes are second longest.  When the first big order of E-7's arrived as ABA sets in 1947, those sets were about 28 feet longer than the AA centipedes.

Hi Charles,

What roadname are your passenger cars?

Go out and get youself an A-B-A of PRR BP20s; with each unit nearly 80' long, you're bound to get the impression you're after.  If you're a Santa Fe guy, just get an

A-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B-A of F3/7s and be done with it !

Some very good comments. Not familiar with the term centipede as it relates to an actual model number. I have considered the AB, ABA and ABBA combinations, but the look sems overpowering consodering the 6 cars I have.I hope to stick with either a WP, SP, CB&Q, or UP road name, but I would consider others if the look was right. Good point about the SD80 and SD90 not pulling passenger cars, although Norm pointed out that there were some exceptions. Any more thoughts? 

Bob and Norm,

Thanks for correcting my wrong advice.  I guess I learned something new today!

Martin

Dave, they are California Zephyr cars with 4 Burlington and 2 Western Pacific

How about an SP Trainmaster?

Aren't you stretching the point a bit? Sorry. Couldn't resist.

As to the question at hand, if you want a single unit diesel, the Centipede is the one (assuming you're running PRR) but an A-B pair of F-units, Erie-Builts, or Alco PA's would be sufficient. Passenger cars have been longer than the .locomotives that pulled them for over a century. BTW, it's also prototypical to have a yard switcher on point of a short set of cars "taking them to be serviced."

OK.  Here's a good website with info on the motive power each road used to haul the CZ.

California Zephyr Virtual Museum

Here's the most common engines used by each of the roads durning the Zephyr's services.

Burlington:  E-6, E-7, E-8

D&RG: PA-1, F-3

WP: F-3, F-7

Of those engines, the E-6's and E-7's are the longest at over 18 inches per engine.  They have a longer slop to the nose than E-8's or F-units that gives them a sleeker look.  The PA's didn't last long in service they have perhaps the most distinct appearance and would look great on a display shelf.

How about this one: Lionel 6-34673 UP Centipede 

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Finder/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductNumber=6-34673&expandBranch=0&Keywords=centipede&CategoryID=0&RailLineID=&CatalogId=

For a single locomotive, I would guess the MTH coal turbine - counting the two-units (it could not run as a single unit) and the tender I just measured mine at 54 inches long (not counting the couplers).  The MTH GTEL turbine (again, two units and a tender, it could not run without both units together) is second at 47 inches

The UP DD40AX is 25", the Lionel DD35A is 23", the UP Premier Big Boy is 35" and the UP Challenger is a mere 32", but boy is she one beautifully well detailed model!

Since you're asking about a diesel not steam, the longest made was the UP DD40AX.. 

However, since you haven't specified a prefered road, I would suggest any of the articulated steams as a better choice.. 

Joe

For diesels, most ABA lash ups take up a long line, such as the PA-1's which are about 50 inches total. Though there are also as said the Centipedes, Coal Turbine, and so on.....

I run eight K-Line CZ 21" passenger cars with either WP or D&RG F units in an ABA combo. The train looks spectacular being pulled by these engines.

Lionel had F units in their last catalog for the three roads that pulled the CZ cars. Good luck in your hunt.

Would think the C&O Turbine is the longest

The MTH model of the C&O M-1 steam-turbine-electric is 38 inches long! It did pull passenger trains on an irregular schedule for 2 -3 years.

Ken

Overlandflyer:  What is the minimun radius for that loco #3996 (999 x 4) you have portrayed above?  It doesn't look like it will take 0-27 Marx curves...howabout

Marx 0-34 curves?  0-999 curves?  Looks like twice what I've thought about building

since nobody will offer the Little River 2-4-4-2....