Lines that ran M1 Mountains

[Anonymous]

Broadway Limited will offer sound-equipped HO M1A Mountains. What railroads operated Mountains?

[joseph2]

The Pennsylvania Railroad had M1's.If this locomotive has a Belpre firebox,it might be unique to the PRR.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Joseph -- any idea if the Union Pacific ran them, or any other western lines?

[Anonymous]

The Broadway Limited model is specific to the Pennsylvania RR. The PRR gave their 4-8-2's the class designation "M1".
Many railroads operated locomotives of the 4-8-2 wheel arrangement, commonly called "Mountains", but the PRR's 4-8-2's were very destinctive with a boiler design and many appliances unique to the PRR. It would be very difficult to re-detail the Broadway Limited model to look like any other railroad's 4-8-2.
A few roads did buy second-hand steam locomotives from the PRR, but I do not believe that any of the M1's were sold off as these engines were mainstays of the Pennsy fleet well into dieselization.
Jim

[joseph2]

The site www.steamlocomotive.com says these western roads used 4-8-2's:Union Pacific had 60 made by Alco,the Southern Pacific,Great Northern,AT&SF,and Canadian National.Most of these had different boilers then a PRR M1.I read somewhere Bachmann is going to have both light and heavy 4-8-2's.These are the USRA style.I wonder how well they run ?

[Anonymous]

Wow, you guys gave great answers! That is exactly what I needed.

I am new to all this and trying to decide what line I will model. I really do like these Broadway locos, with sound. But I also wanted to model some western terrain. I hear they may be offering a Mikado . . .

[tomwatkins]

The Bachmann Spectrum Lt. Mountain runs very well. I've got 2 of them and I'm well pleased. They have announced a Heavy Mountain, but I haven't seen a release date yet. Broadway Limited has announced a Heavy Mikado which is scheduled for release this summer.

[dknelson]

With the possible exception of some WWII era lending, I think you should assume that the Pennsylvania M1 4-8-2 ran only on the PRR and never out west. The Belpaire firebox (squared near the cab) is rather distinctive and of the western railroads only the Great Northern had belpaire fireboxes in quantity. If you are not too fussy i suppose you could paint an M1 in Great Northern and be happy with it
MANY roads had 4-8-2s, and among them were the Burlington and the Soo Line -- nice looking engines. The last running 4-8-2 was retired just last year -- the Frisco 1522. There are many nice tapes and DDVs out there of that engine
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Great -- thanks. I have options!