CNJ 3676 posted:Mason Machine Works of Taunton, MA became the American licensee of the Fairlie Patent design. Mason built what came to be known as the "Mason Bogie". It retained the principle characteristic of the British built locomotive: the pivoting power truck or bogie, hence the locomotive's name. The Mason Bogie, however, was built as a single ended locomotive as it was thought, in accordance with American practice, the double boiler configuration limited the fuel supply and necessitated a somewhat cramped cab. In addition, with plentiful space available for the construction of turning facilities in many locations, the benefit afforded by the bid-directional nature of a locomotive with two boilers was not as great. Posted below is an image of a Mason Bogie which was sold to the New York and Manhattan Beach Railroad. It featured the fuel bunker supported by a trailing truck behind a more spacious cab. More than 140 Mason Bogies were built by the company between 1871 and 1890. Perhaps the most famous of these were the locomotives which operated on the Denver, South Park and Pacific.
Other Fairlie "Single" locomotives were constructed but I thought I'd use a North American example for my explanation. I hope this helps.
Bob
Ohh, ok, I've seen these before, didn't know they were the same design idea, kinda. I'd love to see those modeled, but they wouldn't be perfect without all of the gold striping. Has anyone here scratch built one of these Mason Bogies?
