HO Scale Motor Generator (MG) Flat Car Load
- HO scale motor generator (MG) flat car load
- Industrial substation power equipment replica
- 3D printed with fine detail for layout realism
- Ideal for electrical power, substation and yard scenes
Bring an essential piece of early 20th-century electrical infrastructure to your layout.
This HO scale Motor Generator (MG) represents the heavy AC-to-DC power conversion equipment that powered substations and industrial facilities before modern electronics existed.
MG sets were once the mechanical heart of power substations, converting high-voltage alternating current into direct current for use in streetcars, industrial machines, elevators, and DC traction systems. On electrified railroads, these sets powered the DC supply used for overhead trolley lines and substations that fed electric locomotives and cars.
This model makes a distinctive flat car load or yard detail, adding both functional narrative and industrial character to your modern or historic HO scale layout.
What’s Included
- 1 × HO scale Motor Generator (MG) set assembly
(Flat car shown in photos is NOT included.)
Scale & Dimensions
- Scale: HO (1:87)
- Designed to fit standard HO scale flat cars
- Length: 60 mm (2.36 in)
- Width: 27 mm (1.06 in)
- Height: 24 mm (0.94 in)
- Sized to sit correctly on common HO scale flat cars from Athearn, Walthers, Atlas, and similar manufacturers.
Materials & Finish
- Printed in high-quality 3D Print Resin
- Fine detail to represent MG housing, wiring drums, and mechanical framework
- Supplied unpainted and ready for your choice of finish
- Great base for weathering, chipping, or industrial patina
Historical and Operational Context
Motor-generator sets were widely used in early electric railway substations to bridge the gap between AC supply and DC demand:
- On electrified lines such as those operated by the Milwaukee Road, substations used MG sets to convert AC power from transmission lines into DC for trolley and traction systems.
- Before electronics, these sets provided electrical isolation and voltage regulation — the spinning shaft physically linked the motor and generator, protecting downstream systems from surges and allowing precise DC output control.
In railroad operations, MG sets appear in scenes that depict:
- Substations and power conversion installations
- Maintenance facilities and electrical yards
- Industrial electrification projects along electrified routes
This makes them a compelling narrative load for scenes where power, infrastructure, and rail technology intersect.
Assembly & Customization
- Supplied unpainted
- Ready for acrylic paints or airbrush work
- Excellent pick for weathering and dry-brushing to show age and use
- Can be permanently mounted or removable from a flat car deck
Ideal Uses on Your Layout
- Electrified railroad substations
- Power plant and industrial feeder lines
- Heavy industry and steel mill scenes
- Electric trolley and interurban prototype layouts
- Historical depiction of early-era power conversion
Why Choose This Load
Well-scaled for HO flat car display and detail scenes
Unique industrial piece not commonly offered
Fits seamlessly into electrified railroad and substation dioramas
Ideal for modelers interested in electrical infrastructure
