Hello,
I have been considering buying a Bachmann Southern 2-8-0, preferably 630. I would like to model the engine as it appeared in the 30s. I'm not exactly a rivet counter, but I'd like to give the 630 the feel of a hardworking engine up in the mountains. Are there any decent photos of 630 or her sisters during this era, or in the same configuration?
Finding a color photo of 630 in her working life may be an exercise in futility. As a matter of fact, color photos of any regular working steamer are rare and the 1930s? Depression era. Appalachia? Folks were living close to the bone in those days and money for film, even black-and-white-- not likely.
Not being a rivet counter by your admission, you may have better luck using pictures of any Southern Railway freight engine from your chosen era. I doubt if 2-8-0s weathered much differently than 2-8-2s. Freight engines usually didn't receive the care a 4-6-0 or, a 4-6-2 in passenger service would. The difference would be the color of the soil that collected on the running gear. The red clay of Georgia is not the dark earth of Virginia or Tennessee.
If it is 630 or nothing, you might consider the Southern Railway Historical Society. Maybe someone might have what your seek.
I went to the Southern Historical Society photo gallery. Just to clear things up, was the PRR the only road to use random numbers on steam? I'm closer to an expert on PRR than other roads.
Update: I found the needle in the haystack in the form of a photo of 630 at Asheville, NC in '36. Question for Southern modelers: Are there any distinctive features missing? I have yet to visit Chattanooga and the prototype. Here is a photo of the model that I'm considering:
The prototype:
Speaking of Southern features, did standard USRA freight power have Southern valve gear?
the only differences on the model compared to the prototype, is the bell and whistle location.
You need to make the trek to TVRM for sure to see her up close and personal. But for some help in the meantime, find a book called Southern Railroads Murphy Branch by Michael George. Has some good history of the Ks class and some good shots of 630's stable mates with a few from the 30's. Hope this helps
Glad you had success in your seach! A cursory comparison of Southern 630 and Bachmann's offering reveal what I would consider glaring differences. You may be comfortable with things as they are:
1. "Stairways" to the running boards.
2. Bell placement.
3. Runningboards.
4. Builder's plate.
5. Sand box (Dome) on 630 is smaller than steam dome, unlike Bachmann.
As far as the random locomotive numbers, after sixty years in this hobby, PRR is the only major railroad to use this practice, to my knowledge. Other roads had much smaller rosters so, it was easier to group locomotive numbers than to rely on class designations such as I-1, K-4, M-1 etc. With 598 I-1s in a number of sub classes, the numbers would have been all over the place anyway.
Suggestion: When you go to Chattanooga, take your model with you to see exactly what it needs to give you a model of 630, that will satisfy you. Take plenty of pictures and make good notes. Enjoy building your 630.