I have the Bachmann K4 multistripe 1920's version and was wondering if this signifies passenger service only. Does anyone know the details behind the development of this design, who developed it, its purpose, dates when this scheme was in service?
I'm a little surprised that Broadway doesn't offer a version of their K4 in the multistripe with the gold spoked wheels. I also noticed that Bachmann's cab roof is black (dark green), whereas the BLI is red. I like the Bachmann's design better, but again is there any significance to this or the manufacturer's choice in releasing specific colors?
And do you think we will see more engines, be they K4's, Atlantics, or Consolidations from the roaring twenties? This time period signifies the steam era for me and many others.
Most K-4's were passenger service only as the large drivers are not really conducive to use as a freight hog. Though I'm sure they were occasionally used on freight, I do not believe I've ever seen a photo of them on a freight train.
I believe you are referring to the Pre-World War II paint scheme--which was the time when more striping was utilized. The Spectrum K-4 comes in 2 versions: Pre-War and Post-War, with Post-War having the modernized pilot and headlight location--and representing 1361 and 3750 (the 2 survivors).
As time went on, the striping was dropped, partly due to the difficulty to maintain its condition. The striped engines would likely have been assigned to the "best" trains.
If I recall correctly, MTH has indeed offered the K-4 with the striping, just perhaps not on the drivewheels. It may have been their first HO release several years ago, and sucks more current than their current releases/doesn't run quite as well.
Some engines got red roofs and some did not. That probably depended on where and when they were shopped. It would be best to refer to the prototype photos available online.
There are already plenty of engines "from the 1920's" available. All the USRA steam engines and their thousands of near copies present what many consider to be the "Classic 1920's Appearance" as many of them were new in 1919 or later. This includes everything from 0-8-0 switchers to 2-10-2's (which PRR did own and reboilered after a few years because they had to have Belpaire boilers on everything) to the 2-6-6-2's and 2-8-8-2's (of which PRR received 6 from N&W during WWII, road numbers 373 to 378). Though the N&W added the BL-2 feedwater heater and upgraded the tenders, the 2-8-8-2's received by PRR still retained a "classic 1920's" look.
PRR fans are fortunate that BLI has chosen to produce so many PRR locomotives from the 20's, 30's, and 40's as well.
Many other railroads have only one or two steamers available in HO, period, often a USRA engine.
John