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).
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.
I'd be happy to see a Great Northern 2-8-8-0 or 2-10-2 produced.
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
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
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 smokeboxFlip
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
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
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
exPalaceDog wrote:The the weird department, what about a Mason Bogie or Vulcum 0-4-0+0-4-0 steamer?
The the weird department, what about a Mason Bogie or Vulcum 0-4-0+0-4-0 steamer?
PS It is my understanding that the Erie triplex was NOT a "one off" two or three more made.
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.
Strasburg's Norfolk & Western M2 4-8-0 #475.
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
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
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 J.W.
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
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
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
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.
Have fun
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
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
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
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 2-8-8-42. 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
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?
How about this beauty!
cjcrescent wrote: doctorwayne wrote: #5 I can't find much on these other than the 4501 at the Smithsonian, but a credible model can be had with a kitbash of the old Rivarossi USRA Heavy Pacific, and it might be possible to use the running gear from a BLI USRA Light Pacific with the superstructure (boiler, cab, etc.) of the BLI Heavy Mikado - the prototype USRA Pacifics and Mikados used the same boiler - although the "light" boiler was smaller in diameter than the "heavy". The Ps-4 is closer to the "Heavy" version. Wayne I'm sure its just a memory lapse, but SRR Ms class 2-8-2, 4501 is not on display in the Smithsonian. Its in Chattanooga, Tn. Its the SRR Ps-4 4-6-2, 1401 on display there. There is a TON of info available on the Ps-4, just not on the web. The two historical societies, as well as two hardcover books, and several other softcover books cover just about all the Ps-4's in great detail. Wildwood Publications has even published a set of Ps-4 erection drawings so they could be built by live steamers who wanted one as well.
doctorwayne wrote: #5 I can't find much on these other than the 4501 at the Smithsonian, but a credible model can be had with a kitbash of the old Rivarossi USRA Heavy Pacific, and it might be possible to use the running gear from a BLI USRA Light Pacific with the superstructure (boiler, cab, etc.) of the BLI Heavy Mikado - the prototype USRA Pacifics and Mikados used the same boiler - although the "light" boiler was smaller in diameter than the "heavy". The Ps-4 is closer to the "Heavy" version. Wayne
#5 I can't find much on these other than the 4501 at the Smithsonian, but a credible model can be had with a kitbash of the old Rivarossi USRA Heavy Pacific, and it might be possible to use the running gear from a BLI USRA Light Pacific with the superstructure (boiler, cab, etc.) of the BLI Heavy Mikado - the prototype USRA Pacifics and Mikados used the same boiler - although the "light" boiler was smaller in diameter than the "heavy". The Ps-4 is closer to the "Heavy" version.
Wayne
I'm sure its just a memory lapse, but SRR Ms class 2-8-2, 4501 is not on display in the Smithsonian. Its in Chattanooga, Tn. Its the SRR Ps-4 4-6-2, 1401 on display there. There is a TON of info available on the Ps-4, just not on the web. The two historical societies, as well as two hardcover books, and several other softcover books cover just about all the Ps-4's in great detail. Wildwood Publications has even published a set of Ps-4 erection drawings so they could be built by live steamers who wanted one as well.
Sorry, - senior moment! These "moments" seem to be getting longer and longer.
Wilco,Sure, Forneys were made in Standard Gauge. The New Haven alone had 31 Forneys in 8 classes (Class S). Built from 1872 to 1892 by Rhode Island, Taunton or Rogers, they were of the 0-4-4T, 0-4-6T, and 2-4-4T wheel arrangements. By 1908 they were all gone off the NH, but many were sold to shortlines.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
elauterbach wrote:I am not thinking about what I would like to see, which is a N&W Z 2-6-6-2 and a Pennsy Q-2, but rather what might get produced. All the USRA engines have pretty much been done, as have the Russian Decapods and common Berks of the C&O, PM, NKP, and Virginian. So what will be next? Eric
I am not thinking about what I would like to see, which is a N&W Z 2-6-6-2 and a Pennsy Q-2, but rather what might get produced. All the USRA engines have pretty much been done, as have the Russian Decapods and common Berks of the C&O, PM, NKP, and Virginian. So what will be next?
nooo, its the same ole mantua 2-6-6-2 in N&W.
Someone needs to make the model right, great looker and right for smaller layouts.
The brass ones I see go over 1000 bucks.
I would like to see the Roundhouse kit engines return, all of them they had.
The HO Climax got made but an HOn3 version? me buys that spot on.
Hi,
I'm surprised there aren't more USRA Mikados, heavy and light. I got the Athearn one when it first came out and it died on me. The BLIs seem to be coming back, but they look a bit toylike in the pictures. Bachmann is so good at producing great looking engines, with (now) great touches like working front couplers and working backup lights that I think their Mikados would be big sellers.
More generally I wish there were more SMALL steamers around. Maybe a variety of 2-8-0's. More logging engines (I think my Bachmann Shay is my favorite engine ever) would be great. I've always pined for a Forney, for some reason, though I don't know if there were such things in standard gauge.
doctorwayne wrote:#5 I can't find much on these other than the 4501 at the Smithsonian, but a credible model can be had with a kitbash of the old Rivarossi USRA Heavy Pacific, and it might be possible to use the running gear from a BLI USRA Light Pacific with the superstructure (boiler, cab, etc.) of the BLI Heavy Mikado - the prototype USRA Pacifics and Mikados used the same boiler - although the "light" boiler was smaller in diameter than the "heavy". The Ps-4 is closer to the "Heavy" version. Wayne
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
Fergmiester wrote: A Yellowstone would also be a nice addition. but is the market there?
A Yellowstone would also be a nice addition. but is the market there?
Fergie--good question, and I think the answer has turned out to be a pretty resounding "Yes!" from what I've been reading in these kinds of posts the past several years. The B&O EM-1 is appearing more and more on the lists--and it's certainly one of the more handsome articulateds (if the lightest in TE of it's wheel arrangement). And the huge, powerful, free-wheeling Missabe Yellowstones during WWII spent as much time on other railroads during the winter when the Lakes were frozen over, as they did on their home road. Rio Grande, GN, NP, WP and several other roads had them traveling far from their Minnesota home and from the reports, the engineers of these various railroads said that the big 2-8-8-4's were the best, smoothest steamers they'd ever operated. Baldwin hit a BIG bulls-eye with these handsome giants.
Frankly, I'd be a very happy camper to get a few more of these locos--the brass market is almost depleted, these days, so a nice new one from BLI or PCM or Genesis wouldn't be a bad investment for these companies, IMO. I bet they'd get bought up pretty quick.