I heard that Life Like is coming out with more USRA 2-8-8-2s somtime during 2004. The road names will be N&W, Northern Pacific, D&RGW, Clinchfield, and Virginian. And I was about to buy an Undec unit and turn it into a D&RGW! I don’t know it the price has increased.
Funny how you brought this up. I finally got around to reading the article in Steam Glory today on N&W’s 2-8-8-2’s, 100 in total. That’s impressive. I wasn’t aware of the strength and effeciency of the Y-6’s with a Tractive Effort of 166,000 lbs, this beats the Big Boy and Allegheny. Maybe I’ll have to invest in one for the MESS.
I still do not own a Heritage Y6b.
What’s wrong with me?
There is no Heritage Y6b. There is a Heritage Y3, however. The only Y6b available in plastic is the crappy Rivarossi 2-8-8-2.
Ah, that would be why then!
I’ve never honestly examined the Heritage unit. I do own the Rivarossi model, though it doesn’t measure up to today’s standards. I model 1971, so the mallet is more of a novelty collector’s item.
The Life-Like 2-8-8-2 is a cool engine. I like them but my favorite steamer is the big boy(I’m a UP fan). I’ve always liked the big steamers.[:)]
Then you know Union Pacific owned a few USRA 2-8-8-2s. They were in the first run of Proto’s mallets.
I believe that P2K may be running out of steam with another run of these for N&W; How many can there be for one model railroad? I have six, plus one to convert to a Y5, and a couple of the Oriental Powerhouse models. eight Y3 are too many, I should have more Y5/6/6a/6b than Y3 models…
But at under $200 from Trainworld, it makes a good chassis to put under a Rivarossi.
I for one will be getting a 2-8-8-2 this year. It probably will be a P2k engine this year. I am hoping for a Y6b but a Y3 will suit my needs just as well. It will be undecorated. I have always enjoyed the AHM/Riverossi engines but feel that P2k may provide a little better “Grunt” for the weight on the rails to pull.
Perhaps BLI will come out with a Y6b. As far as N&W is concerned, we should not forget that thier engines were sold to other roads and were among the best in steam in the day. (From a person who does not model the N&W =)
The Big Boy is a engineering achievement and is built for Sherman Hill. And to run the long grinding grades of the west in a fast and timely manner. However the Y6b represents the very best of Eastern Steam in it’s battle to move heavy bigboy breaking trains straight up, straight down and sideways turn over. It’s traction is almost second to none. Especially in Western North Carolina where the weight of the train threatens to drag the entire train off the tracks.
I love any steamer that PK2 makes the only problem is I am too scared to handle them because of the detail parts. Anyone have the same problem? rambo1
My bad, I meant the 2nd run of Proto’s mallets.
me too, but do have a Heritage Y-3. I would not mind having one or two Heritage Y-6b’s. But may not replace my Rivirossi Y-6b’s. [:D]
I agree with Nigel that Proto may be milking this with yet another run of these engines. They are excellent runners and have great details, but in the prototype they are limited in use to slow heavy freight drags. While some of the westetrn roads did aquire them, they found that they were too slow to be used anywhere on the main. I would like to see proto do some SP steam to the standards of the 2-8-8-2.
Guy
I placed a special order thru the LHS for a Heritage (Lifelike) 2-8-8-2 to be sold in December of 2004 The unit will have QSI sound and be DCC ready. The price is about 545 retail. I think the window for orders has already closed on this unit.
I dont expect this new release to be secret for much longer. I would like it to be a y6b but a Y3 will be just as good.
One thing to add on this topic, P2K is offering QSI® sound systems in the forth coming release of 2-8-8-2 's.