How close is the Bachmann ATSF 2-10-4 to the real thing?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am wondering about these engines, as Pennsy leased a few of them. How close are they to the prototype? I don’t know enough about the ATSF myself to say.

Thanks,
Eric

2

The Bachmann uses the same boiler as the 4-8-4 which is not correct in diameter size or length for the 2-10-4 and the drivers on the Bachmann are not correct. Other details are close and several are missing. The tender is good and the overall look is there, but don’t compare it to a PFM or Global Outlet model. For the money, it looks OK and they will sell lots of them.

CZ

3

Actually, I don’t think ANY were leased.

With the traffic surge following America’s entry into World War II, the Pennsylvania Railroad found itself in need of heavier freight power. Restrictions imposed by the War Production Board required the PRR to use an existing locomotive as the basis for its new power. It chose the Chesapeake & Ohio’s class T-1 2-10-4, or Texas, type that had been built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1930. Although the PRR main line to Chicago passed through Lima, Ohio, none of these engines were erected by the builder of their prototype; all were constructed by the railroad’s own shops at Altoona beginning in 1942. The Pennsylvania’s fleet of 125 J1 2-10-4s became the largest in North America.

This photo of unknown origin shows No. 6450, the first of the PRR’s J1 class. Essentially following the C&O design, these eng

4

CAZEPHYR is right on. Not perfect, but good enough for a plastic model. Here are two photos I took of the real #5030 located in Santa Fe, New Mexico:

5

Pennsy did lease 12 of the 2-10-4’s from the ATSF in 1956. Including #5022 and 5018. Pictures of both these ATSF 2-10-4’s can be found Pennsy Steam Years Volume 2. 5012, 5014, and 5034 can be seen in Volume 1. The engineers on the Pennsy did like oil burners because they were easier to fire. Incidently Pennsy also leased 4-8-4’s from both the RF&P and Reading. .

Eric

6

You are correct for the summer of 1956 out of the Columbus Ohio line north to Sandusky. There are several great movies of the Santa Fe 2-10-4’s and the J1’s working together moving coal north and empties south.

They also found out the hard way, you cannot couple two of the Santa Fe engines head to head. They tried and bent the pilots on two of the 5011 class Santa Fe locomotives.

CZ

7

I stand corrected. Pennsy is not familiar ground for me. [B)]

http://www.columbusrailroads.com/prr%20santa%20fe.htm

The PRR had surplus steam locomotives in 1956, the problem for the PRR was that too many of them needed expensive class repairs. It was cheaper to lease twelve surplus locomotives from the Santa Fe that were ready to go. Those sent to Columbus were #5012, 5013, 5014, 5016, 5018, 5020, 5022, 5026, 5028, 5032, 5034, and 5035.

By early December 1956 all twelve 5011’s had been sent back to the Santa Fe at Chicago. They were never used again. Almost all Santa Fe’s class 5011’s went to the scrappers over the next three years. Santa Fe 2-10-4, #5011, was saved and can be seen at the St. Louis Museum of Transportation. Three other 5011’s were also saved, non of them Columbus Santa Fe’s. By the time the 1957 lake season started the PRR had shipped six surplus J1’s to Columbus, from the east, and the Santa Fe show was over.