I wonder why the T&P 2-10-4s (and similar engines from CGW and CB&Q) have never been made. (I know Bachmann had one in HO years ago, but that’s ancient history.)
The only problem with these big engines, especially in the larger scales, is the difficulty of bending them around minimum radius curves.
OTOH, I am still surprised more N scale ten-coupled engines 2-10-0s, 2-10-2s, and 2-10-4s are still not on the market. (Yeah, we did finally get a USRA 2-10-2, rather recently, and there was Minitrix’s 2-10-0, but it had a visual dysfunction. And European prototype 2-10-0s have been around for some time.)
However, if I had my way, I’d like to see the KCS 2-10-4s produced. There were only ten of them, but they were good looking machines.
But in N scale, at least there is a greater need for small steam power, particularly midwestern style 4-6-0s.
yes, Bachmann did make a 2-10-4 back in the 80’s. This engine was simply their ATSF 4-8-4 with a 2-10-4 mechanism. I think they sold it in both ATSF and T&P. It even came with the really bad sound tender too.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think it’s fair to say the same for weird. To me, the Mason bogies were elegant and innovative engines that demonstrated American ingenuity - not at all weird.
The Vulcan “Duplex” was just an American version of the widespread Meyer articulated design. Again, not weird, just obscure. The seven Duplex’s built all started out life in the Pennsylvania anthracite region, IIRC, and mostly stayed there. Of those, only three were standard gauge, the others were 3’6" and 4’0"…
Three were built, but that doesn’t alter their status as an atypical, one-off design.
In the current non-brass steam engine model cycle, I’m personally surprised that Bachmann is still the ONLY manufacturer that’s supporting small steam. BLI, Athearn, and P2K are still cranking out the behemoths that no one can really use (on small layouts, which overwhelm medium and large ones). Even IHC, which has the second largest number of small engines available, hasn’t released one in a dog’s age.
As for engines I’d LIKE to see, how about some NYC steam? As the second largest RR in the USA, you’d think that we’d be awash in their engines (like with the Pennsy). No dice. Need an H-5 Mike (“only” 650 built), or a B-11 0-6-0 (300+), or an L-2 or L-3 Mohawk (4-8-2)? You have to go with brass. Need ANY K-series Pacific? You have to resort to 1950s pot metal.
Where are the Harriman engines? You’d think that SOME manufacturer would have jumped OFF the USRA bandwagon by now, but the only Harriman engine available is the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0, which was only owned by the IC and SP.
And how about the IC anyway? As the largest Midwestern AND Southern railroad, and with a train as famous as the City of New Orleans, you’d think that there’d be SOME of their engines offered.
Finally, where’s the love for our Canadian friends? Engine for engine, I can’t think of anything prettier than a Canadian engine, and there are dozens still steaming on both sides of the border (it’s a little sad that an American national park (Steamtown) has to rely on foreign steam for its mainline trips. What’s next, a SNCF Pacific in Scranton?).
Ray, all I own is American steam, and quite contentedly, I assure you. Still, I am happy to hear you put in a plug for Canadian steam… I would love a CPR Selkirk 2-10-4, and I must say that I have been quite taken by CPR’s #2816 with all the videos available on youtube from her excursion into the USA this August. I liken her whistle to a pig’s squeal, but darned if it hasn’t gotten fully under my skin…I love it!
Turn on the speakers, half volume, no more. She shore is purdy, this li’l filly.
The Strasburg #475 is actually a M class, not a M2. The N&W M2 is a larger engine than the M. The only M2’s still left are in a scrapyard in Roanoke, Va… Hopefully these will get saved.
I think the Lima built 2-8-4’s have been done a lot, whats not been made in the plastic arena is the ALCO builts, and that can easily be done like the LL versions with interchangeable parts.
W&LE had them, as did C&NW and other lines. Maybe not as sleek, but solid workhorses for the lines they were on.
I would agree with most of the locos mentioned, but especially the B&O and DM&IR 2-8-8-4s, the C&O’s last Greenbriers, and Southern’s noble Pacific (BTW, that’s 1401 in the Smithsonian, not 4501-which is a Mike).
Surprises me no one has done a GOOD SF 2900. The biggest 4-8-4, I mean come on now. Or a good and accurate Milwaukee 4-4-2 or 4-6-4 in Hiawatha garb. The fasted start to stop scheduled steam trains ever. Since the bigger the better always seems to sell, why not the VGN 2-10-10-2s? And since N&W is steam heaven anyway, why not the M that Strasburg has now (and all the Ms were not that different).
Please remember that the first 15 NKP Berkshires were made by Alco and 70 of the 90 C&O Kanawha’s were made by Alco.
As an aside the first brass Kanawha’s that were made were based on a Alco picture on one side and the Lima version on the other. Each side was accurate down to the Alco builders plate on one side and Lima builders plate on the other.
There are three of the DM&IR 2-8-8-4’s on display and they are impresive also. They would make a great model and the Brass ones have always sold well.
The Greenbriar is a natural also and would sell very well. The Northern Pacific A3, A4 and A5 class 4-8-4 would be of great interest to me and I believe this is a model that is long due to the plastic model world.
We keep asking and maybe someone will listen some day.
I looked at a Porter in NW Montana, it was (so I’m told) used at he RR tie mill on the north side of Flathead Lake. JJ Hill started this mill to supply ties to the GN.
CB&Q’s #4960 was used by the Q for steam fan trips in the 1960’s. Ultimately, the locomotive became the property of the Grand Canyon Railroad for tourist train service. Originally a common 2-8-2 for freight service, it would be a good model.
Another steam fan engine was CB&Q #5632, a 4-8-4 was eventually scrapped, but It would also be a good model.
The 5633, 5629, 5631 and 5614 are four of the CB&Q 4-8-4’s still on display. It would be a great model and the real ones are out there to get detail correct. I got to see several of the Q’s in action during the 1955 steam era and the 4960 on a fan trip in 1960 and watched it again at the Grand Canyon Railroad a few years ago. I would probably purchase both versions of the 4960 just to have them.
The 6313 was always a favorite of mine and was in the Centrailia Illinois roundhouse very late in the steam era under house steam. I would like to see the 2-10-4 made also.
Count me in as a 4960 fan–I’ve got an old LMB brass model of it, and it’s a very distinctive, quite handsome little Mike. Mine runs like a little Swiss watch, but it would be nice to see it available in plastic for CB&Q fans–and there are quite a few out there, I think. The Burlington always had a good-looking steam roster IMO, and it would be nice to see some of them made that were affordable.