Where would I go to find an HO Atlantic type loco? My heavyweight passenger cars need a good high speed hauler. Of course, a C&NW proprtype would be ideal but not really necessary.
Bowser sells a PRR E-6 in kit form. Being a kit you could install details to suit your self.
That Bowser E-6 is the ONLY American-prototype Atlantic currently available in HO (and none in N). However, until Athearn bought out Roundhouse they did have a nice “sort of Harriman” Atlantic that looks a LOT more like the C&NW’s engines than anything Pennsy. Mantua also used to make an Atlantic (another E-6, I think).
You can also cruise Ebay and look for an old Mantua kit or RTR Atlantic. Model Power bought out the old Mantua line but I’m not sure they’ve released the Atlantic yet.
Also scour E-Bay to see if there are any older MDC ‘Harriman’ Atlantics available. Also, scour some ofthe larger hobby shops like www.caboosehobbies.com who might have one of the older Roundhouse kits available. The MDC/Roundhose ‘Harriman’ might be just what you’re looking for–it could certainly be modified to a Northwestern Atlantic easier than the Bowser kit.
Unfortunately, as the other posters have mentioned, the 4-4-2 is really a rare bird as far as steamers. The only other source I could think of might be searching the sites for used brass. Both Caboose Hobbies and www.brasstrains.com might have one in their stocks. and even at that, the only ones that come to mind might be either the ATSF or Southern Pacific models, though I could be wrong.
Tom
In the 1950s, PFM imported (Tenshodo produced) something like 1500 models of C&NW Atlantic prototypes. They are worth in the neighborhood of $200. Overland imported (Ajin produced) them also in the mid-1980s, but go for more than twice the $$ as the PFMs. Check out the major brass resellers and monitor ebay offerings. You shouldn’t/needn’t deny yourself a proper C&NW model.
Mark
Mark:
Just curious, and at my age I should know this, but did anyone ever import brass models of the ATSF “Bull Moose” Atlantics? I remember an old article from RMC by Bill Schopp on how to ‘adapt’ a Roundhouse kit to them, but always wondered if anyone ever really imported brass models of the same. As I said, just curious.
Tom
There are 2 Tenshodo C&NW 4-4-2’s up for auction on eBay currently.
No, make that 3. There’s one painted for the NKP, but it’s still C&NW.
Andre
There are currently two Tenshodo-made C&NW brass Atlantics up for bid on ebay now. The bidding expires in 22 hours. Check them out. Currently the bids are a bit above $100. I’d expect them to go for something between $200 and $300. It isn’t unusual that the bidding increases the price by 50-100% in the last hours/minutes/seconds.
Mark
I’m not a student of the C&NW. When I hear “Bull Moose” in the context of steam locomotives, I think of 2-8-8-0s.
Mark
If you’re so inclined:
http://www.eddystonelocomotives.com/Readingp7.htm
He’s building a Reading G2sa Pacific for me. A bit pricey but definitely unique. The P7 is based on the Bowser E6.