Bachman Spectrum Series H.O General Electric 44 Ton switcher in 1950's era A,T & S,F markings.

Bachman Spectrum Series H.O General Electric 44 Ton switcher in 1950's era A,T & S,F markings., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

A popular lightweight small diesel switcher locomotive from the 1940's and 50's era in North America, was the General Electric G.E 44 Ton Centercab diesel electric locomotive.

This little engine, was an ideal source of motive power for shortline and industrial railroads, or even Class 1 railroads that owned branchlines with lightweight rails, or even had branches with bridge weight restrictions on line.

Although these engines were only capable of being able to pull possibly 4 or 5 cars at a time, they would prove themselves in shortline railroad service, and in heavy industries that required their own in plant switcher locomotives.

Many G.E 44 Ton locomotives can be found working today pulling tourist railroad trains, and performing in plant switching at manufacturing plants and grain elevators.

The Bachman Spectrum Series model shown here, is painted in the 1950's era "Zebra Stripe" color scheme of the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.