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Husky D27M v1.2

The Husky D27M is a compact 270-horsepower, 20-ton diesel-mechanical light industrial switcher locomotive based primarily (though loosely) on the Plymouth DDT. It is available in a variety of models, with suffixes denoting the gauge and axle count. For instance, the -3N suffix describes a 3-axle narrow gauge variant commonly seen on logging railroads, where its third axle allows for better weight distribution on lightweight rails.

Built from 1947 to 1976, the D27M was a popular switching locomotive for smaller yards in out-of-the-way areas where reliability and ease of repair were important. The type's greatest flaw was that it was almost too powerful for its weight, suffering from excessive wheelslip if full power was applied at low speeds. Early units worked around this problem by incorporating unusually large drive wheels and additional sand, while later production models included reworked gearing and a modified throttle control to prevent full power from being applied from a standstill. Despite these side effects, the high horsepower provided exceptional pulling power even at higher speeds, allowing D27Ms to outperform other comparable types under most track and weather conditions.

By the late 1960s, however, the diesel-mechanical drivetrain had become almost wholly obsolete and sales began dropping at a steady rate. The last factory-fresh D27M (a -2N model on late-production Blomberg-style suspension) was rolled out in 1976 in a special bicentennial scheme, though parts continued to be manufactured and stockpiled for another two years for future repair and servicing. Several D27Ms of various types survive to this day on tourist railroads, as their ease of maintenance and repair allows them to be maintained cheaply and operated reliably.

This locomotive is also my second major kitbash of several official locomotives including the DSJ (the extra half that wasn't used in the YS100A), Steam Flyer, Side-Rod, and NR, as well as trucks modified from the Sprinter, F7, and NZ Heritage coaches.


Husky D27M-2 (2-axle standard gauge, Train Mod)
Husky D27M-2N (2-axle narrow gauge, Train Mod Livery)
Husky D27M-3N (3-axle narrow gauge, Train Mod Livery)

Headlight: Headlight
Cab Light: Cab Light
Custom Light 1: Rear Headlight

Despite the resemblance, the D27M is actually not based on Derail Valley's new DM3 diesel-mechanical locomotive (other than also being diesel-mechanical); I started working on this mod before the DM3 was first teased. A very fun coincidence, but a coincidence nonetheless.

Also, the two "standard" liveries on the D27M-2 and -3N are directly inspired by MudRunner's Chevrolet Bison (the first and only instance of a Chevy Bison in a videogame, by the way!) because I think the colors look nice and go well together. The bicentennial livery on the -2N isn't based on anything in particular.

Engine startup audio modified from this video.

Do not redistribute this mod or any of its assets without my express permission.

Permission is not required for liveries, spec edits, etc. as long as they are posted as Train Mod Liveries.