Is there an HO scale model of the EM-1 used by the B & O during the steam era?
Thanks
There is no mass produced EM-1’s. There are some brass version. Caboose Hobbies got one unless it’s gone(it’s been there for years).
This is one of the engines that a lot of people want to see produced.
Magnus
Bob–
I’ve only seen a few brass versions of the EM-1, and occasionally you can find a used Akane on E-bay or at a used brass dealer. It’s a pity, too, because that’s always a loco that is high on a lot of wish lists. They are handsome devils–certainly as impressive as the myriad of Big Boys out on the market.
Tom
I don’t know of any mass-produced model of this loco–unless you want to count Akane as mass-produced; they did do runs of 500 to 1500 units–but I do know that this particular loke is high on my N-Scale wish list and were it and an H8 to become available at a reasonable price it would probably send me flying into the “transition era” quicker than you could say Jack Robinson!!!
Hello B&O Bob,
Akane is usually the more affordable brass EM 1 (“affordable brass” being relative to which brands and vintage you are discussing that is), next up is Westside models EM1 with backhead detail and a newer production date (I assume). I can’t say how many Westside EM1’s were ever produced or when but they routinely go for more than the Akane models. I assume there might other manufacturers that have done them. I have gotten mine off of ebay so it can be hit and miss on what kind of “bargain” you might get.
Happy hunting,
Andrew
I remember when the Akane EM-1 first came out. $99.95 when I was paying my way through college working for as little as $1.13/hr. Then, as now, they are out of my price range.
They have a certain attraction for me because I grew up just a few blocks from the local B&O yards, where every couple days one would steam in with a 100+ black snake, then later that day would head back south with a similar load of iron ore and/or taconite I actually got invited to climb into the cab for a look-see one day, when I was in the eighth grade. Still remember how the world turned into a white spot against a black background when they opened the firebox door for me.
Another fond memory was one frigid February watching a pair of double-headed EM-1s trying to start a string of taconite up the .5% grade. Steam, coal smoke, cinders, sand, and sparks flying all over the place. They’d start moving, then one or more engines would start spinning, then they’d have to back up to bunch the slack, and try again. After a while, one of the L class 0-8-0s came trundling by, and after about 15 minutes, after a distant set of whistles, they’d try again. Finally, they got a second L apparently on the back end as pushers, and a third one on the point. After the train was moving, I counted about 123 cars, including the caboose. Most of the hoppers were triples, with a few doubles.
About a year later, I went to my favorite train watching spot, but no EM-1 showed up. Instead, there was a strange looking something that I later found out was an A-B-A RF-16 lash-up. Over the next couple years, saw a mix of covered wagons, Geeps, SDs, and occasional S class 2-10-2s, T class 4-8-2s, even rarely an Q 2-8-2. And once, for some reason, there was a U class 0-10-0.
Had a chance about 4 years ago at a local MRR show. Somebody was offering one for only $150, worn brushes and a crack in the trailing truck frame.&nbs
My Brass Price and Data Guide (Dan’s Train Depot) lists several EM-1 model importers. There was Akane, Aristo Craft (made by Akane), International (also made by Akane). There was an Akane import made byTakara. Gem offered two model runs, both made by Akane. Westside and Key turned to Samhongsa for their offerings. The WS model was a 1979 run while the pricier Key imports came out in 1983. In 1994 Precision Scale Company (not to be confused with Precision Craft) marketed an exquisitely detailed EM-1 for an appropriately high price - currently valued at $1675. Finally, in 1999, Challenger presented a Samhongsa EM-1 which can be yours for a mere (gasp) $3500 (current value - msrp was $1785). That Challenger import must be a masterpiece!!
Let’s say if a QUALITY Diecast or PLASTIC B&O EM-1 showed up with the correct sounds (If posible) and using QSI factory installed with traction tires (On both driving sets) 12-16 ounce pull and kadee couplers on both ends… I would sink teeth into it.
Here ya Go!
She’s absolutely Splendid!
Fergie
That was one nice engine.
I sure hope someone will start making these.
Magnus
They were beautiful to look at and among the most efficient steam locos ever produced. With roller bearings throughout the “drive train,” they actually had to block the wheels if the engine was stored on even a very slight grade! Although they were distinctive, looking unlike any other road’s articulateds, that’s never stopped model manufacturers before, so I wonder if a few letters to the mfrs might convince them to use an existing mechanism and slightly modified boiler/cab. Who cares if they lettered it for the Great Northern or whatever?
(I’m rebuilding an O scale Thomas Consol and have enough stuff on hand to scratch- or “parts-build” ten or eleven more old-time motive power, but you guys have my moral support; it was a gorgeous locomotive!)
The EM-1 could be labeled as an accidental locomotive. I seem to recall reading somewhere that B&O wanted FTs but EMD was severely backlogged and so the War Production Board–the famous WPB of Big Brawl Two–denied B&O’s request. The locomotive is unique in that it was the only WPB authorization for a completely new design–this is why the WP and CofG got Espee GS6 knockoffs and several roads were required to take UP Challengers; this was brought about because none of the currently-in-production articulateds could meet B&O’s clearance restrictions. I understand that B&O resurrected a design dating to 1938 or '39 but which had never been built.
Anyway, whatever the case B&O came up with one of the lightest if not the lightest of the Yellowstone design; they were very sleek of lines and, to my opinion, one of the most handsome locomotives ever built which is why I would like to see a reasonably priced one of these in N-Scale.
Just curious where you grew up & watched the B&O. EM-1s used to come in to Benwood, W.Va. by way of Bellaire, Ohio. I never got to see them but have seen pictures & talked to those who have. The EM-1 and a DM&IR Yellowstone would be a nice addition to my motive power roster. Maybe I’d grant the B&O trackage rights on my NKP line in Eastern Ohio. [:)]
dlm
When Akane produced their brass HO scale EM-1 they used the same drivers and mechanism as they did for their Missabe Yellowstones. Oddly enough, according to what I’ve read, Baldwin did the same thing–since they built both prototype locomotives. What they did was use lighter alloys and a somewhat smaller boiler diameter for the EM’s because of B&O’s tunnel clearance problems, which resulted in a much lighter TE (123,000 pounds as opposed to the Missabe’s 140,000 pounds) but a locomotive powerful enough for B&O’s traffic. They may have been the ‘smallest’ Yellowstones as far as total TE, but they were one of the handsomest. But as I understand–and someone correct me if I’m wrong–as far as the running gear under the boilers, they were the same locomotive. B&O was satisfied with a little less weight ‘on top’.
Which to me, means that if anyone currently decides to produce a Yellowstone in affordable plastic, all they have to do is change the details over the running gear, and both B&O and Missabe fans could have just exactly what they wanted.
Well, of course, with different tenders. Hey, I mean, Akane did it in brass during the 'sixties, so what’s the big deal about today’s plastic?
Tom [:P]
Hello twhite,
I have a couple of ebay refugees that I believe are Rivarossi DM&IR Yellowstones that seem to be harder to find than the various brass versions that appear on ebay periodically. I know the discussion is about B&O EM-1s but there was a plastic HO scale Yellowstone from the late sixties (going by the pizza cutter flanges,square motors in the cabs and the pedestal type tenders that look like very lightly modified UP pedestal tenders).I have only seen two of these on ebay in about four years of reiligously watching ebay for them.The locomotives wouldn’t be as difficult as modifying a Big Boy or Cab Forward as others have done and swapping the tender with another Rivarossi or other brand for a closer match wouldn’t be to difficult either (I think). One of them I got for a fairly reasonable price, the other was a fair bit pricier so you can find them with quite a bit of patience.
Thanks Andrew
It’s always nice when one of the manufacturers makes the decision to offer something to our specific needs but for those N-Scalers who might have been waiting for a Yellowstone I am hopeful that the new Intermountain AC-12 turns out to be a quality mechanism. At least then we will have half of the chore of scratchbuilding one done!
Andrew:
Wow, that’s a new one on me–a plastic Yellowstone. The only ones I remember from that era were the various Akane brass versions from the 'sixties–lots of Missabes and less of the EM-1’s. Have you got photos you could post? I, for one, would be fascinated.
Tom
Hello all,
At present I have tried to post the requested photos with no luck what so ever, so any assistance from the more technically astute forum members will be very appreciated.
Failing all else I’ll give you a quick rundown on both loco’s:
Both have the pedestal/centipede tenders with the Rivarossi logo on the bottom of the lead truck,both tenders and locos have the old large “pizza cutter” flanges, are sparsely detailed (by current standards). The locos have road #'s 226 (shiny paint and unweathered).220 (weathered), neither loco has any backhead detail,#226 has an enclosed cab -the back is covered by a flat featureless panel that is presumably for the diaphragm equipped tender,#226 has the square motor hanging out of the cab and the usual coal bunker doors such as the various Union Pacific centipede tenders.Both locomotives are quite light weight even by Rivarossi’s weight ranges for their articulated loco’s of the late sixties-early seventies. I bought #226 via ebay about three-four years ago from a private seller who had bought it at an estate sale so no box, instruction sheet,etc. #220 came from a hobby shop selling it via ebay under consignment for a customer, it was in a Berkshire box with the Big Boy style box liner and again no instructions.#220 despite being weathered I believe has been tampered with the least mechanically, #226 doesn’t run very well (even taking into account how tempermental Rivarossi’s of that era were) the leading truck wheels have been replaced by generic metal wheels and crimped into the axle so that they don’t turn at all. I believe they are late sixties early seventies due to the wheel flange size, motor type and moutning methods. As I have said in a previous post these are the only two I have seen on ebay which I find is strange and or surprising seeing as how Rivarossi seemed to produce all their engines in large numbers up until just before their buyout by Hornby.
Andrew,
By chance, have you compared these to any of the other Riv. engines from the period? I know they had a 2-8-8-2, a 4-6-6-4 & a 4-8-8-4. I’m thinking that they also had some kind of GN 2-8-8-0. I’m wondering if they simply replaced a rear truck with a 4-wheel truck & called it good. OR, do the locomotives that you have look at least somewhat like an EM-1 in ways other than the wheel arrangement?
dlm
I know that for a year or so, Rivarossi produced a B&O 2-8-8-0, which came about by using their N&W Yb-6 2-8-8-2 (which they marketed as a USRA), removing the trailing truck and substituting a Vanderbuilt tender from their B&O 2-10-2 (which for its time was a pretty interesting model loco). I think the 2-8-8-0’s were also released with GN lettering.
But I for one, am awaiting the photos of those Rivarossi Yellowstones. I thought I was fairly familiar with Rivarossi locos, but this is a new one on me. I’m beginning to wonder if it was a Big Boy with a two-wheel leading truck, which would make for a REAL anomaly IMO, since ALCO Big Boys and Baldwin Yellowstones had NOTHING in common structurally.
Tom