Some manufacturer should make a "Forney" 0-4-4T.

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

A model of a Forney 0-4-4T would be a great model companion to the Lionel docksider, Beep and K-line Plymouth switcher small engines that people are raveing over. It is small, could navigate short radius curves and could be sold for a low price point.

These were unusual looking engines but they could be found in many places many were built for the New York Elevated RR as well as Chicago’s equivalent, so they would appeal to the subway modelers. At one point they had over 500. When the RR electrified in the 20’s the engines were sold off to short lines, commuter RR’s (like NYC Putnam line), industrial, lumber, mining, and construction lines. They could be found all over doing odd jobs. A couple years ago three ex-NYERR engines were found in a field in the wilderness of Alaska where they had been used in the construction of the Trans-Alaska highway to give an idea of how far they ranged.

If nothing else this is a steam engine that can justify many releases with different paint schemes and it has wide geographic appeal.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?

2

Now that K-line has announced their 4-6-6T (that had only 5 prototypes) to much interest. They should consider the NY-Elevated little brother forney that had over 500 prototype engines and could be found in many paint schemes over their long and varied use. Yes it is smaller and older but lasted much longer in use.

It would be interesting to have another late 19th century prototype that lasted in some uses until near the end of steam.

3

K-Line announced an 0-4-0 Porter.

4

3railguy, thanks for the hot tip. I was trying to figure out how you knew about this Porter, then I went to the k-line page. It looks really nice and seems like an easy bash into a forney. The “street track” product looks interesting as well.