I looked at photos of Lionel Union Pacific Berkshires and Hudsons. Did UP owned Hudsons and Berkshires in real life
U.P. didn’t own any Berkshires or Hudsons. California neighbor Santa Fe did have some Hudsons, which pulled Budd streamlined cars like the 1950’s Lionel train set I recall from the 1957 catalogue.
Santa Fe was also the only western railroad to purchase new Berkshire-type locomotives. in 1927, 15 Baldwin built 2-8-4’s became Santa Fe Class 4101.
…and so, the question is, why not?
Why didn’t the western railroads purchase Berkshires or Baldwins?
Rich
Though the UP may not have had Hudson’s, connecting line the Chicago & Northwestern did. The E-4 class Hudson was a streamlined locomotive assigned to passenger service between Chicago and Omaha.
At one time a model of this locomotive was available from MTH. Some proably still show up on auction sites.
Why didn’t the western railroads purchase Berkshires or Baldwins?
Rich
The Northern’s and big articulated’s were the locomotives of choice for the major Western RR’s to climb the Cascades and Rockies. The Union Pacific, Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Great Northern and the Spokane Portland & Seattle all had a wide assortment of articulated steamers.
Also, by the time the 2-8-4 came along, ATSF already had quite a few “Santa Fe” type 2-10-2 engines. Later when they needed more power, they went for larger engines like 2-10-4 “Texas” types.
The UP did not have any Berkshires(or Hudsons). The SP did have ten Berks, bought from the Boston & Maine. So at least a few Berks did make it out West.
Doug