I recently checked the Roundhouse web page for further information on the upcoming re-released 4-6-2 Pacific.
No new photo’s but I noticed the MSRP for the units. The base at $149.98 and the sound version at $239.98.
This is one engine I am certainly waiting for. The selection for Pacifics certainly is limited.
Don–
I, too, am anxious to see the new Roundhouse Pacific. Just curious though–is it an entirely new tooling, or a re-doing of the Genesis? I’ll be anxious to know when it comes out. Like you, I believe there’s a really unneccesary dearth of this wheel arrangement available, especially since almost EVERY railroad had them on their roster. A very successful, well-balanced wheel arrangement, IMO. And funny thing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an UGLY 4-6-2. Ever.
Now if Horizon would be kind enough to re-issue improved versions of the old Roundhouse “Harriman” style 2-8-0, 4-4-2 and 4-6-0 steamers, that would be some more icing on the steam cake.
Tom [:)]
The information from the Roundhouse web site is: HO RTR Old Time 4-6-2, L&N #241 |
|---|
Key Features - Fully assembled and ready to operate - Based on a classic Genesis model with modern upgrades - Upgraded drive mechanism - DCC and sound ready - Razor sharp painting and printing - McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed |
I agree that there is no such thing as an ugly Pacific. The picture on the web site is only a small sketch and not a photograph. It does appear to be a USRA light Pacific.
As per your comments on the Harriman engines, that would be great.
I do not need any more steamers, but I am sure I could rationalize a few, a 4-4-2, 4-6-0 and of course the 2-8-0’s would be of prime interest to me.
Can we safely assume that the dcc and sound decoder is, unfortunately, the MRC?
Maybe it will be offered as a true plug and play for those of us that have already been burned…I know what the website says, but the difference from one manufacturer to another is still great.
Caboose Hobbies has the DCC equipped for $107 US and the DCC sound for $169 US. The DCC reaady is Quick Plug equipped which is the 9 pin JST connector.
Rich
Tom, fortunately you have never seen a N&W Class E Pacific. Back in the 70’ or 80’s Trains had an article on rolling mud fences (ugliest locomotives). This engine in the author’s opinion was the ugliest engine ever made. And after looking at the pictures of it he was certainly correct. Unfortunately I can’t find any pictures on the internet to illustrate.
Regards
Rick
I hope you didn’t tell your wife you didn’t need anymore steam? If you did heaven help you is all I can say.[#oops]
Google “N&W Class E”.
Funny, Rick, they don’t look a whole lot different from the PRR K4, even to the Belpaire firebox - one of the prettiest 4-6-2’s ever built. Here’s a pic I found - Class E3:
Granted, the tender is a bit homely, but the loco itself is very nicely proprtioned. Hard to see how that could be called the ugliest engine ever built!
[:D]
Not an E-3, no those and the E-2’s were good looking, these were Class E built (AFAIK) in 1905 with 68" drivers and Stephenson Valve Gear.
Here is a link to a picture:
http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns579.jpeg
Regards
Rick
Hmmm… Well, I gotta admit, that while it’s not quite the ugliest loco I’ve ever seen, it doesn’t miss it by much…That doesn’t look like Stephenson gear, though. Stephenson uses eccentric cams on the axle and a free-hanging link… Looks more like a type of Walshaerts gear, or even Baker, by the hanger.
I think what throws it off, looks-wise, is the small, low-riding boiler and the oversized cab…
I certainly would not call that the ugliest locomotive ever. The cab is somewhat long but the tender is very bulky.
Rick:
I think it’s kinda cute, LOL! And it certainly looks better proportioned than the GN H-2 class, but even they had their charms.
Nope, still don’t think I’ve ever seen an ugly Pacific.
Tom [:D]
twhite,
How about this D&H Class P-1 Pacific?
IMHO, she’s an ugly Pacific. Jeez, look at those smokelifters covering the slide valves, yet not extending to even the same height as the smokebox. The front plate below the smokebox makes it look like it ran into something and it’s stuck on there. The oblong steam dome is just weird, and the trim around the stack does nothing for me. The cab looks like there’s no room for the engineer to sit down it’s so small. And that odd looking firebox…it’s like it’s too big for the smaller boiler. Cheesh.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
If you saw a picture of the N&W E from the front, or a 3/4 view, it gets worse. The Stephenson valve gear was replaced, and the pipes from the top of the cylinders have a few bends in them.
An N&W guy called it the worst, even worse than anything with an exposed Coffin feedwater heater.
Look for February 1985 Trains, to see the article.
Paul–
Well, I don’t mind admitting that you’ve got me THERE, LOL! But I’ll have to admit that it’s not the strangest D&H steamer I’ve ever seen. They had a funny, rather unique idea about what a British loco was supposed to look like on an American road (weren’t their board of directors British or something like that?). Actually, it looks closer to something I’d probably see in India.
Yet somehow, that graceful 4-6-2 wheel arrangement almost forgives everything else about it.
I say: ALMOST! [:-^]
Tom [:D]
The valves are actually rotary cam poppet valves, IIRC. The large (Wooten) firebox was for burning anthracite (see also Reading, CNJ, et. al.) and the D&H wasn’t the only US railroad to used that type of stack (see also T&P, NC&StL).
Just looking at the website of the Bridge Line Historical Society (i.e. D&H), it appears from pictures that #653 was the only P-1 equipped with rotary cam poppet valves. #652 had standard Walschaert valve gear, while #651 was equipped with what looks like oscillating cam poppet valves actuated by Walschaert valve gear.
651:
http://www.bridge-line.org/blhs/images/Wright-Jim/651.jpg
652:
http://www.bridge-line.org/blhs/images/Wright-Jim/652.jpg
653:
http://www.bridge-line.org/blhs/images/Wright-Jim/653.jpg
Andre
Does the Roundhouse iteration have tender electrical pickup? Thanks, Jon
Good question,
One would hope that Athearn was paying attention when Walthers re-released their 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 engines with electrical tender pickups.
Still no final word on delivery, will have to wait for more news on this engine. Hopefully it will follow that Roundhouse is also no longer using the MRC sound unit.
Wow, another resurrected old thread.
Well anyway, I have the new Roundhouse steamers and they have ALL wheel pickup on the tenders. Do not know about the 4-6-2.
Since my Roundhouse 4-4-0 with sound, I started ordering only DCC ready.
I guess common sense would be to email Athearn as they do answer email. I question them quite often.
Rich
Don,
I sent an e-mail to Roundhouse asking for clarification on the delivery date and recieved a reply on April 27th that the anticipated delivery is now March, 2010.
That is probably the 2nd or 3rd delay. I did not ask about the type of sound decoder but hopefully it is the Tsnami but the announcement on that issue did say it was for locos after the announcement date.
I am looking forward to the GTW version as it is close to CNR.
CN Charlie