Comin' 'round the mountain: The RailKing C&O 2-6-6-6 Allegheny from MTH

on Thursday, January 11, 2018

5

This model has terrific design lines and the tooling is first rate.

I received some new gear from MTH for review, and the first box opened revealed one sweet steamer: The no. 30-1728-1 RailKing Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-6 Allegheny

When the history for O gauge in the modern era is written, the RailKing line will be recognized for giving tighter-diameter operators a variety of different and well-detailed locomotives that their pre- and postwar kin could have never envisioned.

One such model is the Lima-Hamilton 2-6-6-6 Allegheny built for the Chesapeake & Ohio, and later, for the Virginian. The steamer was late getting into the battle with diesel power, but its designers were elated when it registered more than 7,000 drawbar horsepower during testing. It was a successful, if late, entry into the battle between steam and diesel.

With would have been an exotic engine by any measure, but to have it available with ample detailing, the ProtoSound 3.0 system, and ready for O-31 operation is fantastic. The heavy, die-cast metal steamer has a smoke unit, coil coupler on the tender and wireless tether. The model costs $799.95. See your MTH retailer or go to www.MTHtrains.com for more information.

The model has detailing that at one time, I'd have only expected to see on the most exclusive high-end model.

Head-on the Allegheny means business (even if just sitting on top of a cabinet). The C&O logo looks terrific and the simple livery is well executed.

The wireless tether is a major improvement of the old-school black, snake-like connector.

The side rods look good and all aspects of the casting of our sample were smooth, where the engine was smooth, and textured at appropriate spots.The cast-in piping is a wonder to behold and is, as I like to say, detailing that you can feel with your fingertip.