@Ukaflyer posted:Do any photos exist of the Gilbert mock up which can be uploaded here to see what it looks like. I have never seen one published anywhere that I know of.
There was a photo in one of the Thouy-McComas books. The mock-up itself is really underwhelming. A detail-less turned wood boiler and cab (painted black) over two partial Hudson mechanisms. Last I heard it was in a private collection.
However, the fact that Gilbert even entertained the thought of doing such a monster in the late 1950's is significant. Given the likes of the Challenger, Y3 and Legacy Berk, it's well within the abilities of Lionel to build such a model.
I suspect one of the reasons it went no further was the mechanics of the time. Probably only the rear engine would have been powered. Small motors and the two-point articulation commonly used today weren't available back then.
Rusty