Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Steam engines you are surprised they haven't made yet

17389 views
111 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Chicagoland
  • 465 posts
Posted by cbq9911a on Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:24 PM
Another one that's really surprising is the Baldwin Russian Decapod with air pumps mounted on the pilot beam.  Very similar to the Alco version made by Bachmann.  Frisco 1630 at the Illinois Railway Museum is a RUNNING Baldwin with pilot mounted air pumps and it has a following.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: northern nj
  • 2,477 posts
Posted by lvanhen on Sunday, December 30, 2007 10:12 PM

 

 How about this beauty!

Smile [:)]

Lou V H Photo by John
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Hewitt,TX.
  • 1,088 posts
Posted by videomaker on Sunday, December 30, 2007 10:38 PM
 elauterbach wrote:

Looking at the engines released in plastic/diecast, it got me thinking about what steam engines I am surprised that they haven't made yet in HO scale. I am not talking about what engines I would like, but what engines might be so popular as to warrant a model. Since a lot of the USRA and common engines like the Berskhire have done. Here is my list:

1. B&O EM-1 2-8-8-4

2. ATSF 2-10-4 5100 class (also leased by the Pennsylvania Railroad)

3. C&O 4-8-4 (614 has a lot of fans)

4. Pennsylvania Turbine S2 6-8-6 (Lionel post-war popularity might translate over)

5. SRR Ps-4 4-6-2

6. DM&IR Yellowstone 2-8-8-4 (the brass ones even sell well)

7. Milwaukee Road S3 4-8-4 (261 has a lot of fans plus the Walthers Hiawatha stuff)

What other engines belong on this list?

Eric

I might be wrong,but I had 2 # 2's at one time..They were Bachmann and I ran them several yrs before giving them to a little boy I knew at the time..I wanted to make make them Texas and Pacific types but they werent close enough to redo...I forgot the series # they may have been 5100 series
Danny
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Sunday, December 30, 2007 11:09 PM

I'm suprised they haven't made a 55 1/2 in driver consolidation.  Only several thousand of those were made.  How about a big drivered 10 wheeler, like 70 ' drivers.  Another engine that was used for decades by dozens of roads.

Dave H.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: THE FAR, FAR REACHES OF THE WILD, WILD WEST!
  • 3,672 posts
Posted by R. T. POTEET on Monday, December 31, 2007 1:27 AM

Eric, your posting is directed at HO Scale but I would like to extend it into the N Scale realm.

I have indicated several times here on the forum my druthers regarding my wishes - EM1s, H8s, M3/M4s; I will, however, try to stay on topic with this and specify those locomotives which I am surprised have yet to be made in N Scale - or at least have been out of production for so long as to, for all practical purposes, never been produced.

1. the good ole' Pennsy K4s; the old Minitrix model has been out of production for nearly forty years and it had some flaws but the K4s is Pennsy's signature steam locomotive and would probably sell like hotcakes were it to be someone's future offering;

2. AT&SF's 5001 and/or 5011 Classes; this was the 2-10-4 incarnate; the Santa Fe Modelers Association is the largest in the country and here is another model which would sell like hotcakes;

3. a SIMPLE 2-8-8-2; WP had'em; so did Rio Grande; so did C&O;

4. back to Pennsy and their I1s Class 2-10-0; Pennsy built these for slow-speed service and they gave a magnificent performance in that operation; and

5. Southern Railways ubiquitous PS4.

I might add Onion Specific's FEFs to my list although I have heard rumblings that a model of these may be forthcoming in the not too distant future.

From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Monday, December 31, 2007 3:05 AM

My picks,

Sierra #28 if we are talking never done.  Heck, this one is still in steam. 

 MY wish list for modern Plastic would be any small west coast steam, say SP consolidation or a decent small shay (the Spectrum is great, but it is big), maybe a two truck.  More small steam in general.  At least Bachmann is listening. 

If there has to be another cab forward, what about the early ones with the huge steam pipes???

Crazy pick would be any of the Yosemite Valley 2-6-0s (the brass prices here are just crazy) or Sierra #34.

 Mark N.  I think the "triplex/Big Boy" thing is about brute size and little else.  I don't want a triplex either, but I do understand the appeal as being similar in my mind to other big model locos that seem to come out every other month and apparently sell well.  I mean three sets of drivers is "really big" ....right???

Having never been around during the steam era, I don't have experience with these behemoths under steam.  Maybe I would have a different opinion.  Must have been cool....I do admit my pulse was racing when I saw the challenger under steam several years ago in Sacramento....All the hissing, gurgling and the heat, Kinda Like standing next to a living dragon.

On a layout I think these really big model locos are like trying to keep a shark in a small tank.  I think they look best on huge broad curves and with hundred car trains behind them.  Like nature intended. 

Lest ye who is without sin cast the first......I do have cab forwards on 30" radius (too small) curves (I'm trying to kick the habit.....there is a 12 step program).....

But I think in general, I think the small stuff looks better on the layout.  I'm not holding my breath on any of my picks anytime soon......

Incongruity abounds,

 

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 627 posts
Posted by exPalaceDog on Monday, December 31, 2007 6:17 AM

The omission that amazes the Old Dog is a 0-4-0T "fireless" steamer. Ideal for areas like oil refineries. If the Old Dog remembers correctly, one still exists at the RR museum in Northeast, Pa. Just make new superstructure for an existing 0-4-0 frame.

The the weird department, what about a Mason Bogie or Vulcum 0-4-0+0-4-0 steamer?

Have fun

PS It is my understanding that the Erie triplex was NOT a "one off" two or three more made.

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Utica, OH
  • 4,000 posts
Posted by jecorbett on Monday, December 31, 2007 9:52 AM
I'm waiting patiently for factory installed DCC and sound in small road engine like a 2-6-0 or 4-6-0. They've put it in 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 switchers so why not in the smaller road engines. I know Roundhouse has issued a 4-4-0 with factory sound but I am not impressed with the detailing on it and I'm not even sure it is DCC.
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Huntington WEST Virginia
  • 384 posts
Posted by ChessieFan13 on Monday, December 31, 2007 10:13 AM

 

What about that coal burning, steam, turbine electric loco that C&O built in the late 40's.  I cant remember what it was called.  That would be cool to have.  But Im a Chessie/C&O/CSX fan. Just my My 2 cents [2c]

J.W.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
  • 8,055 posts
Posted by twhite on Monday, December 31, 2007 12:21 PM
 ChessieFan13 wrote:

 

What about that coal burning, steam, turbine electric loco that C&O built in the late 40's.  I cant remember what it was called.  That would be cool to have.  But Im a Chessie/C&O/CSX fan. Just my My 2 cents [2c]

J.W.

ChessieFan--

I saw that an HO brass import was released of the C&O steam turbine last year--the price was that of a small European country, and if I remember correctly, the reccomended MINIMUM radius for the loco was 42".  WHEW! 

But I agree--that was one handsome and unusual loco--if someone like BLI could come up with one that was modified to take at least a 34" radius, I'd probably bite--and I don't even model C&O (though I have their Allegheney).  That steam turbine was a really striking loco.

Tom Smile [:)]

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: US
  • 1,522 posts
Posted by AltonFan on Monday, December 31, 2007 12:21 PM

I wonder why the T&P 2-10-4s (and similar engines from CGW and CB&Q) have never been made.  (I know Bachmann had one in HO years ago, but that's ancient history.)

The only problem with these big engines, especially in the larger scales, is the difficulty of bending them around minimum radius curves.

OTOH, I am still surprised more N scale ten-coupled engines 2-10-0s, 2-10-2s, and 2-10-4s are still not on the market.  (Yeah, we did finally get a USRA 2-10-2, rather recently, and there was Minitrix's 2-10-0, but it had a visual dysfunction.  And European prototype 2-10-0s have been around for some time.)

However, if I had my way, I'd like to see the KCS 2-10-4s produced.  There were only ten of them, but they were good looking machines.

But in N scale, at least there is a greater need for small steam power, particularly midwestern style 4-6-0s.

Dan

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: New Joizey
  • 1,983 posts
Posted by SteamFreak on Monday, December 31, 2007 12:48 PM

Strasburg's Norfolk & Western M2 4-8-0 #475.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=152060&nseq=14
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 68 posts
Posted by elauterbach on Monday, December 31, 2007 2:44 PM

yes, Bachmann did make a 2-10-4 back in the 80's. This engine was simply their ATSF 4-8-4 with a 2-10-4 mechanism. I think they sold it in both ATSF and T&P. It even came with the really bad sound tender too.

Eric

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • 1,939 posts
Posted by marknewton on Monday, December 31, 2007 11:40 PM
 exPalaceDog wrote:

The the weird department, what about a Mason Bogie or Vulcum 0-4-0+0-4-0 steamer?


They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think it's fair to say the same for weird. To me, the Mason bogies were elegant and innovative engines that demonstrated American ingenuity - not at all weird.

The Vulcan "Duplex" was just an American version of the widespread Meyer articulated design. Again, not weird, just obscure. The seven Duplex's built all started out life in the Pennsylvania anthracite region, IIRC, and mostly stayed there. Of those, only three were standard gauge, the others were 3'6" and 4'0"...

PS It is my understanding that the Erie triplex was NOT a "one off" two or three more made.

 


Three were built, but that doesn't alter their status as an atypical, one-off design.

Cheers,

Mark.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Elgin, IL
  • 3,677 posts
Posted by orsonroy on Monday, December 31, 2007 11:45 PM

In the current non-brass steam engine model cycle, I'm personally surprised that Bachmann is still the ONLY manufacturer that's supporting small steam. BLI, Athearn, and P2K are still cranking out the behemoths that no one can really use (on small layouts, which overwhelm medium and large ones). Even IHC, which has the second largest number of small engines available, hasn't released one in a dog's age.

 

As for engines I'd LIKE to see, how about some NYC steam? As the second largest RR in the USA, you'd think that we'd be awash in their engines (like with the Pennsy). No dice. Need an H-5 Mike ("only" 650 built), or a B-11 0-6-0 (300+), or an L-2 or L-3 Mohawk (4-8-2)? You have to go with brass. Need ANY K-series Pacific? You have to resort to 1950s pot metal.

Where are the Harriman engines? You'd think that SOME manufacturer would have jumped OFF the USRA bandwagon by now, but the only Harriman engine available is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0, which was only owned by the IC and SP.

And how about the IC anyway? As the largest Midwestern AND Southern railroad, and with a train as famous as the City of New Orleans, you'd think that there'd be SOME of their engines offered.

Finally, where's the love for our Canadian friends? Engine for engine, I can't think of anything prettier than a Canadian engine, and there are dozens still steaming on both sides of the border (it's a little sad that an American national park (Steamtown) has to rely on foreign steam for its mainline trips. What's next, a SNCF Pacific in Scranton?).

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • 1,939 posts
Posted by marknewton on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 12:09 AM
LOL! What are you suggesting, Ray? A Nord 231C, or an Est engine? Big Smile [:D]

All the best for the New Year,

Mark.

(Antipodean NKP fan)
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 12:11 AM

Ray, all I own is American steam, and quite contentedly, I assure you.  Still, I am happy to hear you put in a plug for Canadian steam..  I would love a CPR Selkirk 2-10-4, and I must say that I have been quite taken by CPR's #2816 with all the videos available on youtube from her excursion into the USA this August.  I liken her whistle to a pig's squeal, but darned if it hasn't gotten fully under my skin...I love it!

Turn on the speakers, half volume, no more.  She shore is purdy, this li'l filly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ_i73qCJes

-Crandell

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • 2,124 posts
Posted by fec153 on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 7:50 AM
 elauterbach wrote:

A couple to add to my list:

1. FEC 4-6-2- A small pacific that would look good pulling two or three passenger cars. A few of these were sold to other railroads. One ended up being a key engine of the Southern steam program, Savannah and Atlanta 750. Five of these engines are preserve, one in Albany, Ga, 750 in Duluth Ga, and two in South Florida. Not sure were the fifth is now. Also, this is a nice but pretty generic looking pacific.

2. Hiawatha Class A 4-4-2. If Con-cor keeps doing the streamline set, it might happen.

Eric#'s 113 and 153 are at the Gold Coast Museum in South Miami. IHC made a pacific for FEC but have the wrong headlight on it. 98% of the steamers FEC had ,had High mounted lights while IHC's light is in the middle of the smokebox

Flip

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Prescott, AZ
  • 1,736 posts
Posted by Midnight Railroader on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 7:53 AM
How about an 0-4-0 in HO scale?
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 68 posts
Posted by elauterbach on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 9:48 AM

The Strasburg #475 is actually a M class, not a M2. The N&W M2 is a larger engine than the M. The only M2's still left are in a scrapyard in Roanoke, Va.. Hopefully these will get saved.

Eric

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 1,752 posts
Posted by Don Z on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 9:55 AM

I'd be happy to see a Great Northern 2-8-8-0 or 2-10-2 produced.

Don Z.

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 2,844 posts
Posted by dinwitty on Sunday, January 6, 2008 10:18 PM

I think the Lima built 2-8-4's have been done a lot, whats not been made in the plastic arena is the ALCO builts, and that can easily be done like the LL versions with interchangeable parts.

W&LE had them, as did C&NW and other lines. Maybe not as sleek, but solid workhorses for the lines they were on. 

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Ohio
  • 1,615 posts
Posted by Virginian on Monday, January 7, 2008 8:52 AM

I would agree with most of the locos mentioned, but especially the B&O and DM&IR 2-8-8-4s, the C&O's last Greenbriers, and Southern's noble Pacific (BTW, that's 1401 in the Smithsonian, not 4501-which is a Mike).

Surprises me no one has done a GOOD SF 2900.  The biggest 4-8-4, I mean come on now.  Or a good and accurate Milwaukee 4-4-2 or 4-6-4 in Hiawatha garb.  The fasted start to stop scheduled steam trains ever.  Since the bigger the better always seems to sell, why not the VGN 2-10-10-2s?  And since N&W is steam heaven anyway, why not the M that Strasburg has now (and all the Ms were not that different).

What could have happened.... did.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Monday, January 7, 2008 10:15 AM
 dinwitty wrote:

I think the Lima built 2-8-4's have been done a lot, whats not been made in the plastic arena is the ALCO builts, and that can easily be done like the LL versions with interchangeable parts.

W&LE had them, as did C&NW and other lines. Maybe not as sleek, but solid workhorses for the lines they were on. 

Please remember that the first 15 NKP Berkshires were made by Alco and 70 of the 90 C&O Kanawha's were made by Alco. 

As an aside the first brass Kanawha's that were made were based on a Alco picture on one side and the Lima version on the other. Each side was accurate down to the Alco builders plate on one side and Lima builders plate on the other.

 

Rick 

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Monday, January 7, 2008 10:36 AM
 doctorwayne wrote:

Tom, you're certainly right about the Big Boy, although part of its cachet is due to its "biggest" tag.  It is a handsome loco, though, as are the ones suggested.  I think that some of the popularity of some of these locos can be attributed to the fact that there are still examples extant, and it would probably be good for the hobby to see any or all of them produced.  . Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Wayne

There are three of the DM&IR 2-8-8-4's on display and they are impresive also.   They would make a great model and the Brass ones have always sold well.

The Greenbriar is a natural also and would sell very well.  The Northern Pacific A3, A4 and A5 class 4-8-4 would be of great interest to me and I believe this is a model that is long due to the plastic model world.  

  

We keep asking and maybe someone will listen some day.

 Cheers

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 7, 2008 10:48 AM
 exPalaceDog wrote:

The omission that amazes the Old Dog is a 0-4-0T "fireless" steamer. Ideal for areas like oil refineries. If the Old Dog remembers correctly, one still exists at the RR museum in Northeast, Pa. Just make new superstructure for an existing 0-4-0 frame.

Old Dog

I looked at a Porter in NW Montana, it was (so I'm told) used at he RR tie mill on the north side of Flathead Lake. JJ Hill started this mill to supply ties to the GN.

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Port Huron Michigan
  • 611 posts
Posted by oscaletrains on Monday, January 7, 2008 10:50 AM
an 1860's 4-4-0 that runs as good as it looks.
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Monday, January 7, 2008 10:57 AM

CB&Q's #4960 was used by the Q for steam fan trips in the 1960's. Ultimately, the locomotive became the property of the Grand Canyon Railroad for tourist train service. Originally a common 2-8-2 for freight service, it would be a good model.

Another steam fan engine was CB&Q #5632, a 4-8-4 was eventually scrapped, but It would also be a good model.

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Monday, January 7, 2008 12:38 PM

 

The 5633, 5629, 5631 and 5614 are four of the CB&Q 4-8-4's still on display.  It would be a great model and the real ones are out there to get detail correct.   I got to see several of the Q's in action during the 1955 steam era and the 4960 on a fan trip in 1960 and watched it again at the Grand Canyon Railroad a few years ago.  I would probably purchase both versions of the 4960 just to have them.

 The 6313 was always a favorite of mine and was in the Centrailia Illinois roundhouse very late in the steam era under house steam.   I would like to see the 2-10-4 made also.  

.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
  • 8,055 posts
Posted by twhite on Monday, January 7, 2008 1:03 PM

Cazephyr--

Count me in as a 4960 fan--I've got an old LMB brass model of it, and it's a very distinctive, quite handsome little Mike.  Mine runs like a little Swiss watch, but it would be nice to see it available in plastic for CB&Q fans--and there are quite a few out there, I think.  The Burlington always had a good-looking steam roster IMO, and it would be nice to see some of them made that were affordable. 

Tom

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!