Steam engines you are surprised they haven't made yet

[Darth Santa Fe]

I guess I'm not surprised it hasn't been made in anything but brass, but one that I'd like to see as an affordable model is the PRR S1 6-4-4-6 Duplex. There was only one built, and only as an experiment, but it was a very popular attraction to people all over. It was also well advertised, ran for four or five years, gave a smooth ride that the crews liked, and may have even achieved speeds faster than the Mallard. Besides all that, it just looks down-right cool.

[SteamFreak]

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

Garry,

I love this shot of 5632 from an early 60's railfan excursion. A genuine case of life imitating art. It's a crime she was cut up.

 

[oscaletrains]

a prototype not to paint your brass locos, wow

 

[dinwitty]

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

Garry,

I love this shot of 5632 from an early 60's railfan excursion. A genuine case of life imitating art. It's a crime she was cut up.

 

 

Dick Jenson had it sitting in a yard area in Chicago, the yard needed it moved, I think Dick said it wasn't ready for moving, so the railroad scrapped it on the spot.

Dick brought loco pieces into the courtroom.....

 

 

[CAZEPHYR]

True this engine was scrapped, but so was his 4-6-2.  Both were scrapped because no rent was paid and the railroad collected the sum in scrap iron whe he failed to move them. 

There was a notice given several times and railfans did not respond to help with the cost of saving these engines.  It could happen again today for the individuals who try and run their locomotives on mainlines and run out of money. 

Do you know if Dick got anything back in return after the court action???

I talked to Dick in Ft. Worth when he was preparing the 610 for the Freedom Train duty. 

Dick brought loco pieces into the courtroom.....

[garya]

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.

I agree with Orsonroy--where are all the 4-6-0s, 2-8-0s, 2-6-0s, 2-6-2s, and 4-4-0s? While I have to applaud Bachmann for their Spectrum 2-8-0, 4-6-0, and 4-4-0, they're not quite right for many railroads. How about about an NYC F12e, a beautiful design that was copied by many railroads?

[GTW-TY]

As a newbie with a couple of pennies in my pocket.  I've seen pictures of a streamlined GTW 6410 4-8-4 U-4-b.  I don't know if its ever been produced in scale, but, I wouldn't mind seeing one of these beauties produced.  I think, but I'm not sure, only 5 of them were built.

I would even settle for a few more Locomotives with all weather cabs. 

[VAPEURCHAPELON]

As a newbie with a couple of pennies in my pocket.  I've seen pictures of a streamlined GTW 6410 4-8-4 U-4-b.  I don't know if its ever been produced in scale, but, I wouldn't mind seeing one of these beauties produced.  I think, but I'm not sure, only 5 of them were built.

I would even settle for a few more Locomotives with all weather cabs. 

That GTW U-4b has been imported at least two times. First around 1980 from NICKEL PLATE PRODUCTS, second less than a decade ago from FOMRAS. 

[CNCharlie]

 Selector posted regarding CP2816's whistle like a pig's squeal.

 I can advise that CP 2816 actually has 2 whistles. The one in the video clip is located beside the stack and isn't a CP whistle. It is off of a US loco and was added in Steamtown before the engine was rebuilt here. The original whistle is in front of the cab and apparently came off of a Royal Hudson. It has a far deeper sound.

I heard both of them many times on Sept.17/07 as I followed CP2816 for over  60 miles north from Thief River Falls, MN. The highway is only 50-100 feet from the Soo line tracks. I was the only car following it and drove for many miles with the window down listening to it at every miles grade crossing. They seemed to use the shrill whistle for major crossings but for the rural mile roads they used the original whistle. I have about 15 minutes of video but haven't put it on YouTube. I have no idea how to do it.

[WSOR 3801]

CNW R-1 4-6-0

MILW S-3 4-8-4

Soo L-1 2-8-2

All of these are extant, have run lately.  All have been through Waukesha within the past 10-15 years, the Soo engine in late June-early July.  MILW 4-6-0 would be nice as well.   

[AltonFan]

True this engine was scrapped, but so was his 4-6-2.  Both were scrapped because no rent was paid and the railroad collected the sum in scrap iron whe he failed to move them. 

There was a notice given several times and railfans did not respond to help with the cost of saving these engines.  It could happen again today for the individuals who try and run their locomotives on mainlines and run out of money. 

Do you know if Dick got anything back in return after the court action???

I used to know someone who had worked with Jensen.  According to my source, workmen had started to scrap the 4-6-2 before Jensen was notified that it had to be moved.  When Jensen inspected the engine before he prepared to have it moved, he found that a "test cut" had been made in the boiler, which would have been very, very expensive to repair.  Jensen refused to remove the engine until the agency responsible admitted its mistake, and made proper compensation.  The agency refused, and the engine was scrapped, the scappers ordered to "cut it into small pieces that could not be salvaged."  (However, I am told that some pieces were in fact salvaged, and even found their way into some restored engines.)

Apparently, the engine could have been moved only a short distance away so that it wouldn't interfere with the work that needed to be done.  During the court case, the defendants made the claim that because the side rods were disconnected, there was a danger that the locomotive's drive wheels would distort "to an egg shape," and this is why they didn't simply move the engine.

If memory serves me, Jensen died while the case was in court, and his estate received some compensation.

To me, the saddest thing about all this is that the media made it look like Jensen was a man of questionable sanity, when, according to my source, he was acting reasonably and deliberately given the circumstances.  

[RutlandRay]

As a Rutland fan I would also like to see a NYC F12e. Alco made similar locos for several other RRs (CNW, MEC, B&M . . .).

The large locos that have been produced are too large to run on many layouts. I have several Spectrum 4-4-0s, 4-6-0s and 2-8-0s. They run great on my RR. I guess the brass collector routine really doesn't apply to the plastic loco operator. My brass mainly sits on the shelf while my plastic locos see a lot of operation.

[Hudson]

I want to see B&A, and B&M Pacifics. NYC ran their Pacifics on the former B&A main line from Boston to NY after the 20's, but all the B&A Pacifics were still being used right up into the late 40's. And on all the B&M rail lines, Pacifics ran all over New England....so where are they Atlas, Athearn, P2K, BLI, etc.????

Also, the sports model Berkshires that ran on the former B&A/NYC in New England, where are they ?

 

How about the original A1-a and A1-b Berks? The A1-c's are nice but the originals were not only the first superpower locomotives they were the epitome of B&A steam.

 

B&A ran a great many dual purpose Pacifics, K-3's and K-14's. After the J-2 Hudsons were produced all the K-6A and K-6B Pacifics were transferred to the P&LE.

[Hudson]

F-12's are a great looking locos. Stunning aesthetically, the best looking 10 wheelers produced!

[rogertra]

We need a "modern" 4-6-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  The Bachmann Spectrum is too old to really be of use for a mid 1950s class one.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 2-6-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.   The IHC cannot 2-6-0 run on code 70 rail, is not too well detailed and is thus not suitable unless upgraded with details that meet today's requirements.  We need a loco to be of use for a mid 1950s class one.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" light 2-8-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  The Bachmann Spectrum is a fine model but is of a heavy 2-8-0, we need something lighter.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 2-8-2 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  Something that is not a USRA 2-8-2.  Bachmann could easily convert the 2-8-0 into a 2-8-2 by adding another section into the boiler to make it longer for a 2-8-2 and adding a trailing truck from their 4-8-2.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 4-6-2 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  Something that is not a USRA 4-6-2.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

[orsonroy]

We need a "modern" 4-6-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  The Bachmann Spectrum is too old to really be of use for a mid 1950s class one.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 2-6-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.   The IHC cannot 2-6-0 run on code 70 rail, is not too well detailed and is thus not suitable unless upgraded with details that meet today's requirements.  We need a loco to be of use for a mid 1950s class one.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" light 2-8-0 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  The Bachmann Spectrum is a fine model but is of a heavy 2-8-0, we need something lighter.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 2-8-2 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  Something that is not a USRA 2-8-2.  Bachmann could easily convert the 2-8-0 into a 2-8-2 by adding another section into the boiler to make it longer for a 2-8-2 and adding a trailing truck from their 4-8-2.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

We need a "modern" 4-6-2 with steel cab, plain sandbox and steam dome, piston valves and "modern" appliances.  Something that is not a USRA 4-6-2.  We need a locomotive that is reasonably generic in looks.

Hi Roger!

 

You know, you just described the Harriman-standard line of engines. Right now, the only one on the market is a Harriman heavy 2-8-0, and that's the Bachmann engine. It'd be nice if someone would come out with Harriman engines, since it'd give all of a break from the now-trite USRA designs. And if someone does step up to the plate and comes up with the full line of Harrimans, we'd get a decent 4-4-2 also!

 

[selector]

 Selector posted regarding CP2816's whistle like a pig's squeal.

 I can advise that CP 2816 actually has 2 whistles. The one in the video clip is located beside the stack and isn't a CP whistle. It is off of a US loco and was added in Steamtown before the engine was rebuilt here. The original whistle is in front of the cab and apparently came off of a Royal Hudson. It has a far deeper sound.

I heard both of them many times on Sept.17/07 as I followed CP2816 for over  60 miles north from Thief River Falls, MN. The highway is only 50-100 feet from the Soo line tracks. I was the only car following it and drove for many miles with the window down listening to it at every miles grade crossing. They seemed to use the shrill whistle for major crossings but for the rural mile roads they used the original whistle. I have about 15 minutes of video but haven't put it on YouTube. I have no idea how to do it.

Funny you should mention it!   In the videos where it's doubling with MILW 261, I can hear a whistle that led me to think that the second engine (261) was also blowing signals....which would be odd.   So you have cleared that up for me nicely...thanks.  It all makes sense now.

In any event, I like the CPR Hudson whistle...it too is distinctive, but the pig-squeel one is the one that sounds perfect for my inexperienced, but appreciative, ears.

I guess if the Duplex and the Niagaras, and many of the other Northerns, could have a whistle and a horn, it can't be all bad to have an engine sound like something else...must confuse some od the railfans waiting at a photo op.

[marknewton]

...I'd like to see as an affordable model is the PRR S1 6-4-4-6 Duplex...(it) may have even achieved speeds faster than the Mallard.

I suspect that there were numerous engines that exceeded Mallard's much-vaunted 126mph. I think it's fair to call the whole exercise a stunt - the engine was damaged, and the crew certainly got a fright in the process. To my way of thinking a much more impressive achievement is running heavy trains in regular service, day in and day out at the 100+mph mark, such as the Milwaukee and Pennsy did.

A potential candidate for a modern record attempt would be this engine:



Mark.

[marknewton]

I guess if the Duplex and the Niagaras, and many of the other Northerns, could have a whistle and a horn, it can't be all bad to have an engine sound like something else...must confuse some of the railfans waiting at a photo op.

I've seen that happen in China. The QJ 2-10-2s have an air horn as well as a nice chime whistle. We saw a group of railfans from another tour group waiting for a train to appear, but when they heard the loco horn they just assumed it was a diesel. When the train did show, it was powered by two QJs, and almost all of the other group missed the shot.

Cheers,

Mark.

[jetcenter]

 

Since I am a LIRR fan a PRR/LIRR H8/H9?10 as well as a G5s. These would be huge sellers.

Ray Jensen  

 

[mmr197]

How about a D&SL 2-6-6-0?  It is the perfect small articulated engine for freelancers.  And please, if anyone makes it, make it with a rigid rear engine the way God and Anitole Mallet intended.

[Bradley A. Scott]

The most obvious gaping hole in the lineup of readily-available HO scale steam locomotives is the lack of a good-looking, good-running late-19th century 4-4-0. 

The Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 and the recent sound-equipped Roundhouse/Athearn 4-4-0 are nice products, but they're really models of 1900- and 1890-era locomotives, and cannot easily be backdated through kitbashing due to chassis design, shape/size of boiler, etc.  The old metal Mantua/Tyco "General" can be a basis for Civil War-era kitbashes, but lacks modern detailing and electronic options.  The Bachmann "old west" 4-4-0s are not up to modern modelers' standards in terms of operation or appearance.  The Rivarossi/IHC 4-4-0s, although not bad for their time and reasonably accurate for a generic 1870-1880 period locomotive, are not up to the standards of modern production as exemplified by Spectrum, Proto2000, Broadway Limited, et al.

As several people have noted, small steam like this is far more versatile and easily accomodated on compact layouts than the monstrous Big Boys and Triplexes of which we currently have a (fortunate) abundance.  4-4-0s of very similar pattern were ubiquitous on railroads throughout the country from the 1870s until the 1920s, and lingered on in shortline and branchline service up until the very end of steam in some locations.  The same basic model could reasonably accurately portray literally thousands of prototypes, especially if the manufacturer made allowance for easy application of different domes, stacks, cabs, headlights, etc., to a common basic chassis and boiler. 

Bradley A. Scott

[riverotter1948]

The Southern Pacific AC-9 "backwards" cab-forward. There have been a couple of brass models, the most recent being a limited edition of only about 125. I would think with so many manufacturers putting out cab forwards that someone would do the AC-9 in an affordable price range.

[wrmccall]

What about the Santa Fe 1950 class 2-8-0?  They probably sold more of these in brass than any other and I would love to see one come out RTR with sound.

[Anonymous]

Ray,      I have tried to find plans for a NYC/NKP 2-8-0 for several years and to date have come up with zip, nada, nil!  There has never been an accurate NKP Consolidated done in HO, even in brass, let alone plastic.  One would think that would be a great choice, especially for those modelers who do not have expansive (& expensive) layouts.  If the former Clover Leaf (NYC & then NKP) were done it could be lettered for more than one road and for several points in time. One can only hope and keep searching for plans.  Bill Quick, NKPHTS

[steamertex]

 

I am totally miffed by the (seemingly) lack of interst by the manufacturers in any Harriman steam locomotives.  I have written virtually every manufacturer multiple times in the last several years.  Still no results.  Just the SP and UP modelers would make for a sizable market.  Throw some IC, Georgia, and Alton fans, not counting free lance types, and there is a great market for them.   SP (and the TNO) had scads of 2-8-0's, as well as a lot of Mikes, ten wheelers, Pacifics, and Moguls.    I do know for a fact that one large company has a complete package of great drawings and everything else to produce a great Harriman.    I can't explain it.

[Cincykid]

I agree! As a Pennsy modeler, I would love to see a good model of a series H 2-8-0. Sometimes, I think the smaller steamers are overlooked.

Also, I ordered a PCM I-1s 2-10-0 about a year and a half ago and am still waiting for it to be produced.

Cincy Kid

[JimValle]

Odd you should mention the Pennsy Trubine.  At my last big trainshow I found a 1960 vintage example in HO made by Olympia of Japan and imported by Gem.  It was in rough shape, tarnished and hadn't been out of the box for a long time but once I'd overhauled it and given it a two-tone brunswick and black paint job and decaled it, It was mighty handsome to look at and quite a good runner to boot.  The Lionel version was considerably shortened but the scale version is quite well proportioned.  I'm betting that a mass produced version would net a lot of sales from both Pennsy freaks and nostalgia types.  

[GLH]

I'd trade my eye teeth for a BLI quality Greenbriar.  What a classic.  Remember, DaVinci only painted 1 Mona Lisa, so having 12 prototype C&O 4-8-4 examples shouldn't be an issue!

[nfmisso]

N&W class M 4-8-0 because number 475 is still operational on the Strasburg RR, and it is small enough to go around 18" radius curves in HO without looking ridiculous.