Does anyone make a HO Scale 2-8-0 Consolidation Like this

I found this locomotive stored in New Jersey and would like to model it from it’s days of running near my home. Can anyone help with the company that possiblity make one? Thanks.

http://news.webshots.com/album/561500937JKSpHc?vhost=news

Actually it’s a ‘Consolidation’ not a constellation. The engine type was developed after the Civil War and was a main stay of freight operations for many decades until the end of steam.

The photos look like a ‘light weight’ sort of engine. There were many types and others on this site are way more expert on exactly what the photos describe.

AFIK here is something kind of close looking that would be a good start. Esp if you want to kit bash.

http://bowser-trains.com/holocos/old_lady/old_lady.htm

The Bachman Consol is excellent but it’s based on an Illinois Central prototype (but would make a good ‘stand-in.’).

HTH

Mark Wallace

Collegeville, PA

Don’t try and tell the Pennsylvania Railroad that a 2-8-0 is a Civil War era engine. They used them right up unitl the end of steam. Bowser also makes a kit of a PRR 2-8-0. Bachman made a Reading 2-8-0 with several different road names on it. There might be others. Try a lcoal hobby shop and they should be able to help you. Both our posts assume you are talking an engine in HO scale. IF the hobby shop is rude or you don;t feel comfortable go to another one. A place like Hobby Lobby is not a good idea. You need a genine hobby shop for support and additional items. You can also check E bay for either a new or used engine.

I’d say the Bowser 2-8-0 would be pretty close, the Reading 2-8-0 is kinda chunky in comparison.

BTW Mark in his post said “The engine type was developed after the Civil War and was a main stay of freight operations for many decades until the end of steam.”[:)]

Thanks stix…

Here’s a connection to the Southern RR’s historical society and another photo of #385. This time in the shop sans drivers.

http://www.srha.net/public/photos/photo_detail.asp?ID=93729

There are similar locomotives on adjacent photos/pages of their website.

Enjoy.

Mark Wallace

Collegeville, PA

One of the easiest projects that will help you with this engine is a Roundhouse 2-8-0 kit.

They are still around, and on e-bay. A call to one of the older shops in your area may prove worthwhile. If they are in the Walthers catalog, I don’t remember it. Haven’t used one in quite a while. Remember, if it is not exact, there are many parts you can replace to build it to suit you’re modeling tastes. Hope you find one soon.

Where in NJ did you see this loco? I’m in Trenton. The only 2-8-0 I knew of is BR&W’s #60 up in Ringoes, which is slowly being put back together and hopefully it’ll be running for the 2008 season.

Jack,

This old girl is stored up in Kearny at a Trucking Co. [%-)] It ran over in Newfoundland, NJ back in the 80’s on the Morris County Central. Then it went to Bergen County Vo-Tech. More to follow…

I agree with those who think the Bowser 2-8-0 might be your best bet for this rather light weight engine. IT is a modification of a kit Varney first came out with in the 1950s.

If you scour the swap meets you MIGHT be able to find the plastic 2-8-0 that Model Power imported some years ago from, of all places, Brazil! Actually the model is still made there but this firm, Frateschi, does not seem to have US distribution at this time. They have some very interesting things on their website!

I have some recollection that engine was a dummy and the power unit was the tender, but I may be wrong on this.

Here is their website and a photo of the engine

http://www.frateschi.com.br/produtos/locomotivas.php

Dave Nelson

Their web site shows 2 US dealers (select the English page) and then “where to buy”. Looking through the site, I doubt the 2-8-0 was the only item Model Power imported from Frateschi. I think the 4-6-0 was, too, but in much smaller quantities. And the old time passenger cars look suspiciously similar to some Model Power offerings.

I have the 2-8-0, and it was reviewed in Model Railraoder (I can’t recall the issue). Unless Frateschi has since modified the drive, it was one of the few reviews that I have seen MR really dance to avoid being overly negative. The drive is totally contained in the tender, the tender trucks don’t really swivel much but use excessive lateral motion to go around curves. The top speed is subsonic, and noisy to boot. The engine side rods and wheels are plastic, and therefore cannot be easily motorized in a normal drive setup. On the good si

My Goodness,

A Southern Railway engine sitting and rotting in the North, even worse, NEW JERSEY!!! (Just Kidding Ya’ll)

That engine must be rescued and returned to the South immediatly. I will be notifying some preservation groups of it’s where-abouts as soon as possible.

Cheese