dinwitty wrote:p2k did make the 765, as I own one, and did make the PM version, dunno if it was lettered 1225.{snip}
p2k did make the 765, as I own one, and did make the PM version, dunno if it was lettered 1225.
Nope- P2K never made a PM Berkshire numbered 1225. The PM had three classes of Berkshires that were different in various ways, and P2K didn't have a combination of tooling to make a PM N1 class Berkshire like 1225.
Their first run matched the N class (#1201-1215), and their third run had an N-2 class Berkshire (#1228-1239). They never produced a combination of components that would make an N1, so they never released either of the PM Berkshires that still exist, 1223 and 1225.
Bachmann very nearly muffed their 1225 model- the boiler on the PM-painted model they showed at the National Train Show was a near-match for a PM N-2 class Berkshire instead of an N1. The difference is very obvious if you compare the two side-by-side as the sand dome is visibly much farther forward on the N-2 than on the N1. Bachmann acknowledged the error and promised to correct it before the models (of PM #1218 and #1225) are released this month.
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org
I have an Exact Ho scale replica of the Great Western Rwy #90 2-10-0 decapod.It's a Brass Empire Midland model which I painted.#90 is currently running excursion trains on the strasburg rr in Pennsylvania.
Another factor is that the gift shop would more than likely be hawking them at full boat retail. How many of us would scurry out to buy a locomotive if there was no discount?
I agree it would be a nice idea, but I recall being in Scranton, and the hotel (in the old DL&W Station) had some Life Like n scale E units on the shelf... they wanted $80 a pop.. That was 10 years ago. I bet if you went in there today, they're still there.
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
The second run did not number to the excursion numbers but put them in the 770-779 series.
Fine with me as I want differing numbersets.
tomikawaTT wrote: They are too easy for rivet counters to get to!
They are too easy for rivet counters to get to!
No doubt!! It's hard to bash the models accuracy when all the prototypes were turned into toasters 20 years ago.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
I can think of one very good reason why manufacturers going for sales would avoid using the numbers of preserved or excursion locos.
Imagine the anguish in corporate HQ when they receive a communication from Irate Rivet Counter, a copy of something he has sent to AP, Reuters and every hobby mag, forum and blog in the known universe (ok, slight exaggeration,) informing the Modeling Public that (insert widget(s) of choice) are either the wrong type or located (insert linear measurement) too (high, low, far back, far forward) of what was just measured on the prototype. And, furthermore, the model only as two rivets holding the bracket, while the prototype has three hex nut capped studs.
All of which can be avoided by simply confining the 'prenumbered' production to locos that have long since become automotive door panels and trash can lids.
Laugh if you want to. It has happened.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
About the only instance of an accurate model of an excursion steamer I can think of (aside from 8444 or 3985) is Bachmann's NYS&W SY 142, which the Susquehanna did make available through their website when they first came out. But the gift shop crowd is more likely to be interested in T-shirts, or a die-cast Thomas for the kid. Sales of scale models would be extremely low.
Not to mention that most excursion lines would have to offer brass to get an accurate model. How many variations were there on the 2-8-0 theme, for example? I'm surprised they actually offered a scale Consolidation at all.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
loathar is probably correct, unfortunately. This past Spring, we rode the excursion train at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. On that day, it was powered by a beautifully painted Southern FP7 #6133. Later, I happen to see on Intermountain's web site that they had produced this same engine. it took a long time, and a lot of searching on the internet, but one eventually came up on E-Bay. I won the auction, and now have that little gem. Speaking for myself, I have often wished that operators of excursion trains would offer nice models in their gift shops. I should also mention that I had called a hobby shop in Spencer during my search, and the person I spoke with told me that he had sold out of that particular model very quickly after #6!33 was unveiled at the Museum.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
Yes, it would be.
Unfortunetly, the Bachmann 2-8-0 is really an IC prototype, so to start, it is not correct to a WM 2-8-0 by any means. Second, the WMSR #734 is really Lake Superior and Ishpeming #34 in disguise. So, the engine really isn't close to the 734, as they weren't trying to make a prototype 734 in the first place. Although incorrect, most tourists who have a small layout that they pull out now and then would buy one of these engines even though they don't look like it (Those people can't tell a F7 from a B23-7).
I agree that having a model of the engine or whole train you just rode behind would be a huge plus for the gift shop. I know that the Grand Canyon railroad sold custom painted Bachmann 2-8-0's (the old ones) and MDC Harriman cars at their gift shop, and they were always sold out when I visited there. Durango and Silverton has a IHC/Model Power train set that they sell. Yes, it might be HO scale, but how many little kids out there model HOn3?
Companies like Walthers or Proto make a engine, but never release it in the roadnumber of a surviving or operating model. Case in point, the P2K 2-8-4's and the P1K RSC-2. There are a few C&O 2-8-4's surviving, but they did not make a model in those roadnumbers. The NKP and PM 2-8-4's no.s 1225 and 765 were not released even though they are famous steam engines that run many excursions.
Walthers also released the P1K RSC-2 in Milwaukee Road paint. There is a (almost operating) survivor of the MILW RSC-2 fleet at Mid-Continent in North Freedom, WI, the 988. Walthers never made a Milwaukee Road RSC-2 in the 988 number. Kato also released a RSC-2 in the same (well, the colors on the actual 988 aren't prototype, but that's a long story) paint. They didn't make that roadnumber, but they did make a un-numbered version that had dry-transfers for the 988.
Bachmann is smart. They are making the 2-8-4s in their standard line, and sure enough, the 765 as well as the 1225 are being produced. A person like me who is not a modeler of those roads would be interiested in a model of one of the engines just to have on the layout to pull a special run-through excursion train. With Bachmann, that is made possible. So, P2K lost out on the market of those people.
Phil
You would think after going on a rail excursion that a fan would be able to buy the train he rode on...at least a reasonably similar one. There are huge differences here particularly in the piping and air pump. The stack is too high. Also the marker lights are in the wrong position. The sand domes don't even look correct.
I'm pretty sure the gift shops at these excursions would love to sell a duplicate model of the train also.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!