The General

Does anyone know of a model of “The General” from the old Buster Keaton movie? Preferably one that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

There is one on E-Bay, but the shipping seems a bit high

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2581&item=5980781344&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I was thinking more of an HO running Locamotive. But thanks.

There are at least 4 of them RTR, and one kit on eBay right now - $10 - $40 is the asking price…

Jim

Search Ebay with the terms “Mantua” and “General”: there’s always at least one for sale. You can’t miss: the market’s flooded with 'em.

EYE AITCH SEA

While the IHC model is an example of a 4-4-0 “American” class locomotive, it is not an accurate representation of the famous Civil War locomotive “The General”. Mantua’s model, first issued in the 1950’s shortly after the time Walt Disney’s movie “The Great Locomotive Chase” appeared, is much closer.

CNJ831

The General still exists of course, but in altered form and not as it looked at the time of the actual Great Locomotive Chase. Different engines were used for the Buster Keaton and Disney films. The Mantua metal kit more or less resembles the engine as it looks today (and as it looked circa 1950 when the kit was first released).
The engines in the Keaton movie are somewhat newer than Civil War era (but similar).
I am old enough to remember the days where if you contacted the public relations department of the Louisville & Nashville RR (successor to the Western & Atlantic) they would send you a beautiful color photograph of The General, in a sturdy cardboard tube, for free. This is about 1962.
Dave Nelson