C&O T-1 2-10-4 - Any Surprises or Problems?

@0-Gauge CJ posted:

I am looking at picking up one of the newer C&O 2-10-4s from 2019 (1931400 or 1931410). While shopping around I find the usual range of prices from 10-15% under to a few hundred dollars over MSRP. I've also found a few though that are hovering around $1,000. I'm eager to take advantage of deals like this, but I've started to wonder if there are hidden issues. If some places are having to price the loco to 1/3 the MSRP, it indicates to me that they are not selling. Not selling could just be a lack of interest, but it could also be just a bad product.

Is there anything I need to be aware of before buying?

Well, the model really is NOT a "C&O T-1", but simply a PRR J1 with slight modifications to the frontend, cab and tender, then decorated to LOOK like C&O.

It could be the long rigid wheelbase makes these locos practical only on larger layouts with wider turns.

Picking nits, it has a hooter whistle that is not one of Lionels better efforts and I'm not sure how accurate the particular tone is for C&O.

Heres video done by another forum member, DaveSlie.

The Pennsy J1 was a C&O T1 with a different cab and front end!     The locos are identical underneath, the cab and details are different.    This was forced on the Pennsy during WWII when they were not allowed ot develop new designs and needed motive power badly.    the got the plans from C&O

As an aside, the PRR did have some problems.   Apparently there were some issues, I assume not too great with the locos as designed and C&O made necessary modifications to make them good runners.     When the PRR needed the plans, the C&O gave them the original plans and did not include the modificatiions.    So PRR had to figure out how get them fixed up themselves - cooperation!

I don't have one of the Lionel Legacy T1's so I can't say anything about its operation. The problem I have with Lionel's engine is cosmetic in that they used the Pennsy boiler and cab. The T1 had separate steam and sand domes and a riveted vs welded cab. Here are some pictures of the mid-90's 3rd Rail T1 with correct details.

Ken

@RickO posted:

It could be the long rigid wheelbase makes these locos practical only on larger layouts with wider turns.

Picking nits, it has a hooter whistle that is not one of Lionels better efforts and I'm not sure how accurate the particular tone is for C&O.

Heres video done by another forum member, DaveSlie.

Some good thoughts. I don't currently have 072 track but I am designing another layout with it in mind now.

I'm not a huge fan of hooter whistles in general but I accept them as being part of history and thus having a place on the train layout - especially N&W Class A steamers!

Thanks to everyone who pointed out that the boiler domes don't match C&O's 2-10-4s.

I also just realized that this engine doesn't have whistle steam! I'll have to think this over a little more before I buy. Thanks again for the input.