Low prices convinced me to get ONE (no more! never! [:D][:D][:D]) BLI staem engine, a NYC light Mike is headed my way across the pond.
As I´m more accustomed to current day diesels, and lack the literature for trains that old, can somebody (everybody?[8D]) give me some advice on what these engines pulled, and maybe even if these cars, freight or passenger, are available as kits or rtr?
Looking forward to your advice as well as the engine,
Tom [:)]
Any correct period box cars, hoppers, tank cars, flats, etc. Either as mixed freight or unit trains - the most likely being coal. Fairly rare in passenger service. Prototype use determines model use in my world, so read up on the prototype. If your light Mike works as well as my BLI heavy, I think you will be happy.
The light mikes were the Geeps of today. They worked both mainline freight in the first twenty years of their life and all kinds of locals and lower priority trains later in their useful life. They were superceded by Berkshires and larger engine built during World War II, but continued being useful until the end of steam on many roads. Some did work passenger, but this was not their purpose of the USRA design. The smaller drivers were for freight and they could handle a rather large amount of variety.
The Central apparently used their Mikes fairly frequently for passenger runs, but I don’t know which class or which class your engine is.
Anything and everything. Maybe some modern day double stacks, and 33000 gallon tankers. That’d be cool.
Anything it wanted.
Largely depends on the ‘period’ you want to put your light Mike in. Originally they pulled all kinds of freight–medium length trains–and after they were superceded by heavier power, they could be found on way freights, mixed trains, helper service and even yard duties. They were an incredibly versatile loco. For instance, one western road, the Rio Grande, used their ‘light’ Mikes (not USRA’s but built a little earlier and very close to the same dimensions) initially as premier freight locomotives, then as they were superceded by heavier 4-8-2’s, they were relegated to local freights. However, when the Rio Grande bought the Moffat Line out of Denver, the Mikados could be found powering main-line passenger trains, since the rail of the former Moffat Line was initially too light for 4-8-2 and 4-8-4 types. So the Light Mike you’re getting is an INCREDIBLY versatile steam locomotive. Enjoy!
Tom [:D]
WP had mikes devoted to passenger service, SP used them on mail trains. They were indeed the geeps of their time, use them as needed.
Dave
The NYC USRA light mikes were the H-6 class. And yes, some were equipped with steam lines for use on passenger trains.
As for cars to lug with a USRA light, how about a 1930s-era mixed train? 6-8 wood boxcars, 1-2 steel boxes, one 8000 gallon tank car, two USRA twin hoppers, 1-3 40-foot gondolas, a wood combine and a wood caboose, and you’re all set for both freight AND passenger service!
To give you a little different tack on things, NKP No.587, a light Mike, runs past my house, actually through my back yard, from time to time to this day on the Indiana Transportation Museum’s line (old NKP tracks). It is usually pulling a heavyweight baggage, sometimes two, and three or four lightweight passenger cars, On the far end is usually a Monon F3 to run head-end on the way back. They’ll run this thing sometimes three or four times on a Saturday. The ground shakes when that thing goes by!
So there is a prototype for a modern application!
did any railroads run mixed trains with both a caboose and a combine ? the photo’s i’ve seen are all pre - 1910 so that may make a difference
mikados have been available for a long time
from http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/809irfko.asp
Yup: the NYC and ATSF, at least. (the NYC in Canada, and the ATSF in Illinois and Arizona. I’m sure there are more examples, but these are the ones that spring to mind)There are photos of both road’s mixed trains buried somewhere in the Fallen Flags site.
Unless I am much mistaken, as recently as a year or two ago, some foundary in Mainland China was still producing Mikes.
I’ve seem pictures of Mikes on a local branch line near here - tins of about 5-10 cars. & iof course they might take a Caboose Hop too. For genera cars, - I like outside braced boxes of +/- 1930-'40 for such locos. [:)]
Depends on the ruling grade of your line & what kind of service you want to throw at it. On the Grand Trunk Western, for some the pilot wheels were removed, & the units became 0-8-2 switchers. Converted by the RR in the 1930’s for switching & transfer service.
In the late 50’s the Mikados saw any kind of service the Grand Trunk could throw at it. It could do 60 or better in the flat Michigan countryside pulling a passenger train. It may replace a Pacific on days an extra mail or coach car was added. The speed would be just enough to keep close to schedulle, but don’t delay in the station very long! Time lost becomes a late train at the end of a run. This would be fun to model. See if your train can complete it’s journey at close to advertised schedule! The Pacifics had 70" drivers, so they were capable of higher speeds. You trade HP for speed.
The next day, a Mike could handle a wayfreight. They just don’t get the hotshot assignments. Or switch a gravel pit.