F&G RY posted:Both the super 381 and Brute are prototypes rejected by Lionel in the pre war period. Both still exist today. Both engines are big for Standard Gauge. The super 381 goes well with regular State Cars. The Brute was grossly oversized for regular State cars so MTH made showroom cars which are blown up versions of State cars.
I run the super 381 on my home layout with a few clearance modifications. The Brute will run with these same modifications.
I believe there are SGMA videos on You Tube showing the Black version from LCCA running at Trainfest 2014 or 2015.
Jim,
You are correct. I ran my black LCCA BRUTE at Trainfest 2014 both pulling its matching black LCCA Showroom cars as well as my Standard Gauge circus train with its unique 211 flatcars each with two handmade 1:32 scale circus wagons. Below is a link to SGMA's video of Trainfest 2914 showing the black Brute in action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7DIBFLi1zo
Bob Nelson
