Just got my Legacy ATSF 2-10-4 #5011. Pretty pleased with the model, but I was wondering if anyone also had this observation:
To the rear above the pistons and at the top of the start of the running gear, there appears to be a significant gap between the boiler and the wheels through which you could see straight through. I did my best to make out the details on photos of the prototype online, and there does not appear to be such a large gap. Instead, the boiler appears to slope downward towards the wheels as it does on most steam engines.
The strangest part is that on the model above the rear drivers and start of the firebox, the boiler visibly slopes downward as it should. For some reason, Lionel did not also do that for the front of the boiler where specified above, and instead left a noticeable gap where the boiler would normally slope down.
Has anyone also made this observation? Would anyone have an idea as to why the model was constructed this way? It does not affect its functionality, nor does it take away from all the other great features - I'm mostly just curious about the gap.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Tony E.
"The youthful never outgrow playtime - their toys just get more expensive" 😂
