Odd and Obscure Steam Locomotives You Would Like a Model Of

JonnyAce posted:

It seems like every time I do some more research, I run across another really cool locomotive that I inevitably want to add to my collection, but unfortunately it's too odd or obscure for the major manufacturers to produce. Case in point: one of the seven Baldwin-built 2-6-6-4's for the Pittsburgh & West Virginia. Seriously, these things are really cool. They've got some very interesting details, like the Belpaire firebox, the booster engine on the rear tender truck with counterweights and side rods,

Only the J1 class were built with tender truck boosters, which wound up being a maintenance headache, and were removed. The J2 class locomotives were not even built with the tender booster.  

smokebox-mounted air pumps, and the relatively tall twin stacks. This got me wondering, what about some of you guys? What unique locomotives would you love to add to your collections that are too obscure for the manufacturers? Let's see some pictures. 

How about a New York Central 2-6-6-2? Lots of folks model the NYC ( even Hot Water) so it might be a good seller.

Maybe its even small enough to accommodate a tighter radius than the more popular larger articulateds currently produced making it an option for more modellers.

I've long admired the P&WV 2-6-6-4. I expect the sales potential is nil.

It's the sort of model for which you might contact a custom builder, if any still exist.

One of the members of the Youngstown Model Railroad Association has that locomotive in O scale 2 rail. It was built by a builder by the name of Kloppenberg. It pulled a 60 car train at a recent open house it a fantastic piece. I will see of we can get some photos of it. No its not for sale, I already asked.

Custom Brass did a NE2 2 6 6 2 they did about 40 of them in 2 rail and came with a factory Kleinschmidt drive. 

While I model transition era, I would like to have an IC Consolidation #638. And I’d like a detailed, prototypical quality model.

Although certainly not "obscure", I have never understood why neither Lionel nor MTH have offered either the NYC H5b series 2-8-2 locomotives, nor the C&O K3a 2-8-2 series steam locomotives. Back when Sunset/3rd Rail announced both of these models, they could never get enough orders/reservations to produce either, in highly detailed brass.

Thus, the odds of ANYONE producing a model of such an "obscure" locomotive as the P&WV 2-6-6-4, is surely slim to none!

Hot Water posted:

Although certainly not "obscure", I have never understood why neither Lionel nor MTH have offered either the NYC H5b series 2-8-2 locomotives, nor the C&O K3a 2-8-2 series steam locomotives. Back when Sunset/3rd Rail announced both of these models, they could never get enough orders/reservations to produce either, in highly detailed brass.

<snip>

The B&O would seem to fit in the second rank of favorite locos. Yet 3rd Rail has done several. The secret is for a bunch of us to pester Scott and promise to buy the loco of the moment--the Q4b, the T3, the P7 and P7d (plus the gorgeous Cincinnatian train set) etc.

So, I surmise that NYC and C&O fans just aren't motivated.

rex desilets posted:

Hot Water posted:

Although certainly not "obscure", I have never understood why neither Lionel nor MTH have offered either the NYC H5b series 2-8-2 locomotives, nor the C&O K3a 2-8-2 series steam locomotives. Back when Sunset/3rd Rail announced both of these models, they could never get enough orders/reservations to produce either, in highly detailed brass.

<snip>

The B&O would seem to fit in the second rank of favorite locos. Yet 3rd Rail has done several. The secret is for a bunch of us to pester Scott and promise to buy the loco of the moment--the Q4b, the T3, the P7 and P7d (plus the gorgeous Cincinnatian train set) etc.

So, I surmise that NYC and C&O fans just aren't motivated.

And there, in my opinion, lies the difference between the "toy train" folks, and the "scale modelers", in our hobby.

N&W 0-8-0 S1a

N&W 4-8-2 K1 Heavy Mountain.

The Milwaukee Road had a good number of 2-6-6-2 steamers also. Would love to see someone make them. Don

I'd love to see Strasburg RR #90 in O gauge. It may not qualify as obscure, but it is a bit unique as I'm pretty sure it's the only operating decapod in the U.S. 

John 

BlueComet400, that's not entirely true about the Decapods. True Strasburg #90 is a Decapod, and she is operational, but so is Frisco #1630. She's been operational and in service at the Illinois Railway Museum for years. That makes two that I know of.

An accurate model of this SAL streamlined pacific:

Never happen but hey.

BlueComet400 posted:

I'd love to see Strasburg RR #90 in O gauge. It may not qualify as obscure, but it is a bit unique as I'm pretty sure it's the only operating decapod in the U.S. 

 

John 

There's also IRM's Frisco 1630:

And even though MTH has made two production runs of a Russian Decapod, they've totally ignored the 1630.

Rusty

Bob Delbrigde, I'd buy a model of that SAL streamliner, too! That period of railroading created some fantastic looking locomotives. 

Texas and New Orleans MK-5 #786.

Texas and New Orleans Sunbeam PS-14 4-62 #650 

Texas and New Orleans 2-10-2 #982

Good news:      Believe NJ Intl did the NYC 2-6-6-2 about 25-30 years ago. SP 2-8-2 and Russian Decapod done by Sunset 3rd Rail.  C&O/N&W 0-8-0 done by Precision Scale.

mark s posted:

Good news:      Believe NJ Intl did the NYC 2-6-6-2 about 25-30 years ago. SP 2-8-2 and Russian Decapod done by Sunset 3rd Rail.  C&O/N&W 0-8-0 done by Precision Scale.

I remember Sunset Models doing a 2-rail O-scale Russian Decapod way back when (1980's?) but not Sunset 3rd Rail. 

And as I mentioned earlier, MTH did two production runs and totally ignored the Frisco, yet released the same Santa Fe number (the only ex-KCNM&O "Americanized") twice.

Rusty

NYC NE2 2-6-6-2 - yes!

As stated above, it's relatively "small".  So - it could be a scale Mallet that could dip down into some RK and Lionmaster curve territory, at least on the upper end. Thsis is actually prototypical, as the NYC did have some trackage that was fairly twisty, and needed some real power, but the big Mike and the Mohawk freighters were not comfortable there.

It would also give us NYC fans who also like articulateds a chance to have it both ways, and for others something unusual in a road name that doesn't call Mallets to mind. And, it's a nice-looking machine.

These should not actually be "obscure" - the NYC had over 60 2-6-6-2's, most of them like this one.

A New York Elevated 0-4-4F Forney. 

Since we are discussing odd or obscure engines that will never be built by one the major O scale manufacturers, here is my list.  All these locos were still operating during my layout's era.

PRR K5

PRR N1

PRR R1

PRR DD2

DRS 4-4-10 (in PRR livery)

CVRR Pioneer and Jenny Lind

How many new large locomotives can you buy that will fit on the average layout.  I do have a nice size layout with 054 curves and no huge locos.  We need new smaller, more affordable types like the Forney.  It can be used pulling street cars, working the elevated city lines, factories, even mining. I would not hesitate to buy one, even BTO that I have never done, for this Forney pictured below (and not oversized, it does not need tons of electronics, just basics like WbB does... chuff, smoke, whistle, bell).  Dennis

(Yep! I'll dream on)

As Texas Eagle said,how about T&NO MK 5 which is similar to SP P 9 ,4-6 -2 Pacific.

Mikey

While no pictures an NYC 0-10-0, and another small articulated, a D&SL 2-4-4-2. Also a Vulcan duplex.

How about a SAR Beyer Garratt?

modeltrainsparts posted:

How about a SAR Beyer Garratt?

I’ve always had trouble with a 1:48 scale narrow gauge locomotive on O-gauge track.

But I’d like a SAR Breyer Garrett. Maybe run on S-gauge track, so for simplicity of operation it would need to be wired for 2-rail.

PRR E3sd Atlantic.

Anything Monongahela RR  steam from the1940's era.

Cappilot,

the PRR N1 was done by #3rd rail about a decade ago.

They pop up form time to time on auction sites.

For ME its:

PRR B8 Shop switchers

PRR 2-8-8-0

PRR E1 Atlantic Camelback:

PRR #1223 D16sb 4-4-0

PRR #7002 E3

PRR K2sa or K3

PRR K5

PRR N2 & N2sa [usra 2-10-2]

Any steam engine operating on a tourist line today..SRC 90 is one I would love to see done, even a couple others  come to mind..NH&I 40, BR&W 60, SOU 4501,630 could do a PRR 1223. So many company's  do the big road engines of today but,  forget about the everyday engines running at Scenic Railroads.

Little River Railroad #126 "Skookum" being a 2-4-4-2 is small, and could be treated like a 2-8-2 to cut costs using a rigid frame despite being an articulated engine. Being the first articulated logging locomotive ever built, it is both important to railroad history, and rare being one of only two 2-4-4-2 locomotives i have run across built in the US.

Do you guys really think obscure prototype really have a chance with any manufacturer? 

Here is a small, somewhat obscure articulated that 3rd Rail has had reservations open for probably at least two years: Sierra Railroad's #38. 

Yet even as listed as a low quantity production locomotive, it still apparently hasn't garnered enough interest to go into production.

I find it a bit puzzling.  When PFM made these in HO decades ago, it was a VERY popular locomotive for those with large and small layouts.  Given some of the suggestions I've seen here. The only thing I can figure is the 38 isn't NYC or C&O.  Maybe it's not obscure enough...  Or cute enough...

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

Do you guys really think obscure prototype really have a chance with any manufacturer? 

Yes, at least for the earlier steam - SMR imported rather low production runs of pre-1900 items quite successfully. 

Hybrid Turn-of-the-Century 4-6-0s and 4-4-0s both in original appearance and how some of them looked in the 1920’s. Ideally, there’d be Two-Rail as well as Three-Rail versions and options for oil firing as well as coal-burning.

MTH is part-way there with their Pennsylvania G-5s and so is Lionel with its 2-6-0s, but many of us don’t model specifically Eastern roads.

mwb posted:

Rusty Traque posted:

Do you guys really think obscure prototype really have a chance with any manufacturer? 

Yes, at least for the earlier steam - SMR imported rather low production runs of pre-1900 items quite successfully. 

SMR's made some really nice stuff, but they too have been rather quiet lately.

Rusty

Many of the locomotives on this list intrigue me. Only a few stand a chance of production - for obvious reasons.  I am going to guess that the Strasburg locomotives stand a chance, including the D16 and E23.

I always wanted a 2-6-6-2 "back-up Malley" (yeah, I know how to spell Mallet).  So, at the ripe old age of 44, I got a piece of steel exhaust pipe and some Lobaugh castings, and made one.  Very satisfying - I recommend it.  As far as I know, I remain the only O Scaler with such a model.

The Austin Steam Train is another.  Do not hold your breath for one of these to appear on your dealer's shelf.  The Sunset SP Mike is a good starting point, as is the Stevenson kit.

And now you have to endure my photos yet again.  In a minute . . .

I suggest if we really want a particular model, we should emulate Bob2 above and our forum friend David Argent, who has built several unusual models; things like Kitson-Meyers, steam-electric locomotives, Beyer-Garratts and my favorite, a Stirling Single. (I know, lots of models of that one around)

Here's David's video collection:

https://www.youtube.com/user/DJVARGENT/videos

How about Baldwin 60000?  An old favorite of mine from childhood, seeing it in the Franklin Institute!  It emerged from the factory in purple(!) paint.  Since it was a demonstrator, it operated on several different roads burning both coal and oil (make mine the coal version!)  I also LOVE the Vanderbilt-style tender.  Modern super-power styling.  Apply a little imagination and this thing might have been running until the end of steam.

Baldwin 60000 on Wikipedia

First, the Back Up Malley - my first hint was in the Model Railroader around the late 1950s - some guy made two of them out of a PFM 2-6-6-2 in that smaller scale.  Charming, but inaccurate models.  I pored over Bob Church's "Cab Forward" book for a decade, then got this pipe and proceeded.  Here it is, in 17/64.  If you want to build one in 1/4" scale, see my ten part series in 48/ft, prior to its demise.

Here is the one from the article:

And here is the Austin Steam Train - measured when I was on a layover in Austin.  It was a home for homeless, and so measuring things was a "gloves on" experience.

Wait about five years and I will post an E3 and a D16sb, in 17/64 scale.

RickO posted:

How about a New York Central 2-6-6-2? Lots of folks model the NYC ( even Hot Water) so it might be a good seller.

Maybe its even small enough to accommodate a tighter radius than the more popular larger articulateds currently produced making it an option for more modellers.

 

Might as well forget that, as I've been trying to get Lionel/MTH/3rd Rail to do C&O K3/3a Mikado, as well as NYC h10 b,c,d series Mikado's. 

It's the old adage ***t in one hand, and Wish in the other, see what gets built 1st. But they all will probably build you a NYC Hudson........Just Sayin...!

New York Ontario & Western X class 2-10-2 “Bullmoose”

The Erie an Canadian Railways had similar engines.  

Yup - even though it's PRR, and I'd rather have the NYC NE2 2-6-6-2, this thing is just irresistible. I have one more virginal husky RK USRA 2-8-8-2 Mallet in my project inventory, and I may one day (if I ever finish my Mercury 5344 Hudson project) use it to build something inspired by, if not an actual model of, this. 

Of course, if someone would actually offer one, well...hard to pass on it. Come on Lionel - Y3-framed "Hybrid".

---------------------------

Below is from a 1995 OGR; this never happened, so far as I know. The styrene and urethane superstructure would have made it a scratch basher's friend, also. (Note the lack of website.)

Now, WBB - how about a well-geared (as in your Ten-Wheeler) generic "036" Mallet along these lines?  Use the Ten-Wheeler's plastic USRA-type tender; most would want a die-cast boiler, I guess (I would find good, diesel-shell-quality plastic to be preferable). Basic control; no command. The toy train market would grab it obviously, and we Hi-Railers would love it as a starting place for all sorts of detail and command upgrades. 

mark s posted:

Good news:      Believe NJ Intl did the NYC 2-6-6-2 about 25-30 years ago. SP 2-8-2 and Russian Decapod done by Sunset 3rd Rail.  C&O/N&W 0-8-0 done by Precision Scale.

Sunset's SP 2-8-2 was of a Pacific Lines Mikado not of an "Atlantic Lines" or Texas and New Orleans Mikado. The two are very different. I was told Sunset was going to but scrapped the idea and made two versions of the Pacific Lines Mikado's instead. Their Union Pacific MacArthur was much closer to the T&NO version.

RickO posted:

How about a New York Central 2-6-6-2? Lots of folks model the NYC ( even Hot Water) so it might be a good seller.

Maybe its even small enough to accommodate a tighter radius than the more popular larger articulateds currently produced making it an option for more modellers.

 

This is is a pretty interesting machine- piston valves on the primary cylinders, D valves on the compound cylinders

jhz563 posted:

This is is a pretty interesting machine- piston valves on the primary cylinders, D valves on the compound cylinders

Not unusual at all on early compound articulated locomotives, since the superheated, high pressure, steam is only supplied to the rear cylinders. The front, low pressure, cylinders thus do not receive as high a temperature steam, and the slide valves work, and last, just fine. 

Thanks to scratch builder Frank Miller here is my B8a 2798 - Hopefully after getting more of the scenery done Ill find the time to paint and DCC it.  When it was first seen at a PRRT&HS convention  several years ago it created quite a stir.

Beautiful!!!!

Keystoned Ed posted:

Thanks to scratch builder Frank Miller here is my B8a 2798 - Hopefully after getting more of the scenery done Ill find the time to paint and DCC it.  When it was first seen at a PRRT&HS convention  several years ago it created quite a stir.

Ed,

I have a color motion picture of a Pennsylvania B8a on the turntable at Orangeville (Baltimore). It was taken by my grandfather with me in the photo in either the late 1940's, 1950, or very early '50's. Very nice locomotive.

PRR K4s Pacific! 

Okay on serious note, I'd like a model of the PRR K2 Pacific, an accurate D16sb, an E2 Atlantic, CNJ 2-8-0 Camelback, and of course CNJ 592 the 4-4-2 Atlantic that occasionally pulled the Blue Comet and is in the B&O Museum.

Why not a RDG N-1?

Also, why not a SY Milkado?

Well i would like to see a model of the single wheel locomotive.   I saw a picture of it once.  They didnt mass produce them cause they were so hard to keep on the track

Having built one TNO 786 and five SP Mikes pretty much from scratch, I think I can say that the SP and TNO Mikes were quite similar.  The 786 differs from Pacific lines Mikes only by feedwater heater and dome arrangements.

The Sunset UP Mike may look superficially closer, but with the exception of the sand dome, it is miles apart.

786 does have the smaller 90-C tender with a doghouse, but that is a different problem.  One could find a 90-C as part of a Mogul, Consolidation, or maybe Atlantic.  

Small and affordable small scale steam locos; similar to the Lionel Docksiders, with excellent detail, but with up to date sound and control features.  It seems like a manufacturer like MTH could adapt their HO technology to small O scale engines.  I would definitely be a buyer if they were available.

Keystoned Ed posted:

Thanks to scratch builder Frank Miller here is my B8a 2798 - Hopefully after getting more of the scenery done Ill find the time to paint and DCC it.  When it was first seen at a PRRT&HS convention  several years ago it created quite a stir.

This was a pretty good small engine and probably would sell well if made.  There were more B8 engines made than B6 engines, and most of the B8 engines that were converted to B8a saddle tank engines made it into the 50s.

Ok you asked for odd and obscure.  No layout should be without one of these.  Anyone have an idea what it is?

In HO scale...

Just wish I had your talent BOB2

351_DD-1 posted:

Ok you asked for odd and obscure.  No layout should be without one of these.  Anyone have an idea what it is?

What you have there is a compressed-air locomotive, likely for mine service. Some used drives identical to steam engines, and some used air motors with chain drives or any other combination you can think of.

......and a model:

Thanks, Firewood, I never would have thunk it.  Don't think I've ever heard of a compressed air mine loco mentioned on the Forum either.

Though not generally a Deleware & Hudson fan,I would love to see any of many unique locomotives that were owned by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad.  Three of my favorites were #604 Pacific, #442 American, and their class E-5a Consolidation which was perhaps the most powerful Connie ever built with nearly 73,000 lb tractive force. They were not only unique but most were quite beautiful locomotives. The D&H truly marched to their own drum.

Though I'm not much of a Union Pacific fan, I would buy a Harrimann Standard 4-4-2 with a Vanderbilt tender. They're a very aesthetically pleasing little locomotive.

Plus, being a much smaller wheel arrangement, you'd have the advantages of tighter radii curves, which I'm sure would appeal to the guys with smaller layouts. Also, because it's a Harrimann Standard, it could also be decorated for Southern Pacific (MTH, Lionel, Sunset 3rd Rail, I smell a money maker here...), one of which, SP 3025, has been preserved at the Traveltown Museum in California.

Jim Harrington posted:

New York Ontario & Western X class 2-10-2 “Bullmoose”

The Erie an Canadian Railways had similar engines.  

I'll take it!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Here ya go!...

Well, after all, it IS a steam engine having clear railroad pedigree.   

And think of the direct and intangible savings to the creation/maintenance of right-of-way!!  I mean, you want to ARGUE with this puppy about going through your backyard????

Talk about a 'Tank' engine.....

KD

Not steam but pretty obscure.

Chris Sheldon

dkdkrd posted:

Here ya go!...

Well, after all, it IS a steam engine having clear railroad pedigree.   

And think of the direct and intangible savings to the creation/maintenance of right-of-way!!  I mean, you want to ARGUE with this puppy about going through your backyard????

Talk about a 'Tank' engine.....

KD

From the Photoshop Locomotive Works on Fantasy Island.

Rusty

FireOne posted:

Not steam but pretty obscure.

Chris Sheldon

Bachmann made it in On30:

Rusty

It may be an oddball engine, but I'd like to see the reading's 2-8-0 camelback like this in O scale. Since RDG did sell engines to other railroads second hand, they could make as well a CNJ, LV, and any other anchercite road. Yes, I'm aware that Lionel has made RDG camelbacks, but ones from 2001 are difficult to find and they only offered P&R in lioncheif, along with them not being the wheel base I want. 

I'll throw my hat in the ring for a Milwaukee Road 2-6-6-2 Mallet. Heck, I'm not that picky either, I'd take N1, N2 or N3. 

Steam Crazy posted:

Small and affordable small scale steam locos; similar to the Lionel Docksiders, with excellent detail, but with up to date sound and control features.  It seems like a manufacturer like MTH could adapt their HO technology to small O scale engines.  I would definitely be a buyer if they were available.

In my (admittedly not universal) experience, the first bolded term and the bolded phrase after it are not compatible.  Alas.

I like this idea!  Let me see if I can edit this post with a photo of a model of this thing.  Mine is a "Rio Yaqui" locomotive, but almost identical.

Palallin, you're right, I'm probably asking for too much.  Instead of "excellent" detail, I should have said "nice" detail.  The Docksider had a better than average level of detail for the price, but Lionel cut costs on the running gear and whistle that sounded like a buzzer.  I'd be satisfied with detail like the Docksider, modern sound, control and smoke for about $400.  Am I still dreaming?

Steam Crazy posted:

Palallin, you're right, I'm probably asking for too much.  Instead of "excellent" detail, I should have said "nice" detail.  The Docksider had a better than average level of detail for the price, but Lionel cut costs on the running gear and whistle that sounded like a buzzer.  I'd be satisfied with detail like the Docksider, modern sound, control and smoke for about $400.  Am I still dreaming?

With Legacy, probably still dreaming.  With TMCC, maybe not.  With Lion Chief?  Dunno.

I'd like to see it, though.

Not a steamer, but how about this

8 years posting this now and I'm STILL dreamin' for a Forney.     Dennis

D500 posted:

Below is from a 1995 OGR; this never happened, so far as I know. The styrene and urethane superstructure would have made it a scratch basher's friend, also. (Note the lack of website.)

Definitely did happen - those were produced by Ed Reutling and I had one - ran great.  I've seen a few others since then.  I have no idea why the comment about the lack of web site - Ed listed his phone number; he was an entertaining conversationalist.  He was an exceptionally talented and creative guy that produced 5-7 different steam engines, a couple of different freight car kits, and IR-GE boxcab kit, and probably other stuff I never knew about.  Learned more about practical resin casting from him than any other source.  He used to post on OGR and sadly died a few years ago.

The "lack of a website" comment was just a musing that the ad pre-dated the Internet age where most companies have a web presence.  IMHO.

Not really obscure - I sure wish Sunset 3rd rail would do a Milwaukee Road S2

I tend to want engines I have a connection to. The one I have had the most experience with is actually quite obscure, there isn't anything remotely close to it out there model-wise. Funny thing is it's just a little Alco-Cook consolidation.

her size makes her unique, if I remember right engine and tender combined weigh just 90 tons, she is not superheated, and has walschearts (sp?) valve gear and no power reverse. Built in 1920.

Here's another look at Baldwin 60000, an unsung hero of steam loco development.

To my knowledge no one has made an accurate O scale model of this unique loco.  It would be a natural for MTH because reportedly the prototype was delivered in PURPLE paint!  As a demonstrator it ran on many RRs and was fueled by both oil and coal during its demo run.  And the best part... it still exists in nearly perfect condition, buried in the basement of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute for over 70 years!

As a consolation prize i would settle for one of these.  It does exist!

Privately owned, rumored to have been scrapped, and hidden in a Pittsburgh warehouse for over 40 years, this big B&LE 2-10-4 #643 came to light when the building housing it collapsed.  Now exposed to the weather its fate is uncertain.  A nice model would raise awareness and appreciation for a pretty awesome freight hog!

Ted Sowirka posted:

As a consolation prize i would settle for one of these.  It does exist!

Privately owned, rumored to have been scrapped, and hidden in a Pittsburgh warehouse for over 40 years, this big B&LE 2-10-4 #643 came to light when the building housing it collapsed.  Now exposed to the weather its fate is uncertain.  A nice model would raise awareness and appreciation for a pretty awesome freight hog!

Sunset/3rd Rail has already offered models of the DM&IR and B&LE 2-10-4s.

Here's a handsome loco you'll never see in O.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...2588@N08/16387077752

Missouri Pacific class MT-75 Mountain. There were only seven altogether, 1939 rebuilds of USRA light mountains, done in MoPac's own Sedalia shops. These had 75" drivers, steam pressure of 250 psi, and burned oil.

Isn't this the "A" train?

nickaix posted:

Here's a handsome loco you'll never see in O.

Missouri Pacific class MT-75 Mountain. There were only seven altogether, 1939 rebuilds of USRA light mountains, done in MoPac's own Sedalia shops. These had 75" drivers, steam pressure of 250 psi, and burned oil.

Now they look like they can pull a fair sized freight train.Didn,t mp have a few 2-10-4 locomotives?

JonnyAce posted:

It seems like every time I do some more research, I run across another really cool locomotive that I inevitably want to add to my collection, but unfortunately it's too odd or obscure for the major manufacturers to produce. Case in point: one of the seven Baldwin-built 2-6-6-4's for the Pittsburgh & West Virginia. Seriously, these things are really cool. They've got some very interesting details, like the Belpaire firebox, the booster engine on the rear tender truck with counterweights and side rods, smokebox-mounted air pumps, and the relatively tall twin stacks. This got me wondering, what about some of you guys? What unique locomotives would you love to add to your collections that are too obscure for the manufacturers? Let's see some pictures. 

Hey there!The seaboard air line railroad had a few of these.I talked to an old railroad man.He tolded me that these were great for pulling freight trains.Seaboard also had some 2-8-8-2 but they were to long for the turntable.

JohnActon posted:

Though not generally a Deleware & Hudson fan,I would love to see any of many unique locomotives that were owned by the Delaware & Hudson Railroad.  Three of my favorites were #604 Pacific, #442 American, and their class E-5a Consolidation which was perhaps the most powerful Connie ever built with nearly 73,000 lb tractive force. They were not only unique but most were quite beautiful locomotives. The D&H truly marched to their own drum.

Those are pretty locomotives - I've always liked the clean lines. First time I've seen the 4-4-0. Thanks! 

Here's the P-1 Pacific: 

How about a UP 2-10-2?  

Although not odd and obscure, UP had a LOT of them.  

Ted Sowirka posted:

As a consolation prize i would settle for one of these.  It does exist!

Privately owned, rumored to have been scrapped, and hidden in a Pittsburgh warehouse for over 40 years, this big B&LE 2-10-4 #643 came to light when the building housing it collapsed.  Now exposed to the weather its fate is uncertain.  A nice model would raise awareness and appreciation for a pretty awesome freight hog!

I have been up close and personal with this engine when it was still under roof-with the owner’s permission. It is a massive ugly ungainly beast of a machine.  It would be fantastically impressive to see in action, but it will never happen. Even if the owner wasn’t off his rocker, the sheer size would require trackage quality  not available to tourist operators.  It would make an impressive static display piece but first it would need transportation out of McKees Rocks, which would be expensive all by itself.  Sadly this is another piece of history that will simply rust away.

How about one of these? A heavy 0-10-2 Union-type road switcher.

One of these 404 ton beasts has been preserved.

Oh,boy. .l see I have not whined on this list, unlike many previously, about wanting GW #90, Little River 2-4-4-2 (either one), (l never heard of a D&SL 2-4-4-2,but could get interested in dozen driver D&SL power). And above others have asked for the C&O Mikado, too.  And small, actual logging two truck Heislers and Climaxes.  And, then there are all the critters: Macks, McKeens, varied gas electrics, and the list goes on....

Maybe not so odd, but somewhat obscure:    Burlington T2 2-6-6-2 mallets employed on the severe grades in the Black Hills. 

How about a 2-8-2 small Mikado lettered for Oregon Pacific and Eastern . This locomotive appeared in Emperor Of The North movie. This engine has never been made in O scale and I believe not in any other scale.

A good idea, and not just for three railers, either. A lot of us fooling around in two-rail are baffled as to why the latest brass releases almost all seem to be for big enginers that need very large radius track to go around curves when fewer and fewer of us are likely to have the room.

For that matter, before many of us were born, Gordon Varney made models of SP 4-6-0s. Maybe models done to today's modeling standards with today's technology in both two-rail and three-rail versions would be a good idea?

Mister_Lee posted:

A good idea, and not just for three railers, either. A lot of us fooling around in two-rail are baffled as to why the latest brass releases almost all seem to be for big enginers that need very large radius track to go around curves when fewer and fewer of us are likely to have the room.

 

For that matter, before many of us were born, Gordon Varney made models of SP 4-6-0s. Maybe models done to today's modeling standards with today's technology in both two-rail and three-rail versions would be a good idea?

Good idea but from what I've seen. Model RR guys tend to want the beast!  Not the lamb.  

Jim 

Let me see if I can remember all of the comments above:

Nobody has done the Baldwin 60000 in O?  Provably not true, at least if one considers a 17/64 model on O track to be O Scale.

The Missouri Pacific Mountain? Really rare, but produced in 1940 by Lobaugh.

OR&N Harriman Mike?  So close to Sunset's SP or UP Mike that all you would need is a square tender.  And some decals.

UP 2-10-2? Max Gray/USH.  Too bad they didn't do the SP Deck with proper boiler.

SP 4-6-0s by Varney?  Well, there was one that sort of looked like the B&O Ten-Wheeler of Varney fame.  Sort of.  Stand by - I have a model of the 2353, the very last SP ten wheeler to see steam.

Purple!  At least the 60000:

More than anything, I'd want a Baldwin S118 Class 2-8-2 in On30. I took this shot of 195 at Skagway, AK and have ridden the cab or another of her type in 2005:

Davenport narrow gauge 2-6-2 would be great, too:

bob2 posted:

Let me see if I can remember all of the comments above:

UP 2-10-2? Max Gray/USH.  Too bad they didn't do the SP Deck with proper boiler.

 

 

Yes sir, I have three of them in my collection...

Ted Sowirka posted:

As a consolation prize i would settle for one of these.  It does exist!

Privately owned, rumored to have been scrapped, and hidden in a Pittsburgh warehouse for over 40 years, this big B&LE 2-10-4 #643 came to light when the building housing it collapsed.  Now exposed to the weather its fate is uncertain.  A nice model would raise awareness and appreciation for a pretty awesome freight hog!

Is this engine still in Pittsburgh?  If so, where. I grew up near the city, and I have no knowledge of this ever existing. 

Thanks

-Carl

Carl Peduzzi posted:

Ted Sowirka posted:

As a consolation prize i would settle for one of these.  It does exist!

Privately owned, rumored to have been scrapped, and hidden in a Pittsburgh warehouse for over 40 years, this big B&LE 2-10-4 #643 came to light when the building housing it collapsed.  Now exposed to the weather its fate is uncertain.  A nice model would raise awareness and appreciation for a pretty awesome freight hog!

Is this engine still in Pittsburgh?  If so, where. I grew up near the city, and I have no knowledge of this ever existing. 

Thanks

-Carl

I saw the later post stating it was in McKees Rocks. Next time I’m in town, I’ll need to at least look it up. 

bob2 posted:

 

The Missouri Pacific Mountain? Really rare, but produced in 1940 by Lobaugh.

 

Which class?  These were not USRA engines . . . .

Growing up in Indiana and visiting the Indianapolis Children's Museum several times, I always thought the Reuben Wells would make a cool model. It was made to run up and down steep inclines and if the model could do the same, it would make for some interesting layout options.

Back to my argument in favor of updated versions of the "Varney" 4-6-0. Producing a new, updated version might be blatant faux-stalgia (false nostalgia), but K Line did it with their three-rail B&O Docksiders.

Canadian Pacific 3000  4-4-4. Marx did it, but no one else has.

Is it correct to assume this was not a photoshopped picture, but a WWII-era paint job?

The T1 has been modeled repeatedly, so I hope it is not considered cheating to suggest another model of one during the later war years, with the running gear all accessible, with the sharknose paint job, and perhaps warhorse-style weathered.

David

David98 posted:

Is it correct to assume this was not a photoshopped picture, but a WWII-era paint job?

 

No. I can't say with absolute certainty, but I think someone is pulling your chain.

Simon

That's easy: Baldwin 60000.  It was a three-cylinder compound 4-10-2 that tested on a lot of roads, and didn't find a buyer.  Essentially Baldwin's "high technology" offering at a time when steam was undergoing a major transformation.  Railroads didn't like the maintenance requirements of its high-pressure water tube boiler, or the compound steam circuit.  Lima's Super Power Berkshire won the day and four-wheel trailing trucks became the norm.  Preserved in excellent condition in a museum in Philadelphia, where I've visited it several times since childhood.  But today, few people know or care about this big, handsome Baldwin with its Vanderbilt coal tender.

The icing on the cake?  Some accounts say the demonstrator left the factory in Purple paint!  3rd Rail did an SP 4-10-2 a while back that was close, I guess I should have asked Scott to throw us Easterners a bone when I had the chance!

Delaware & Hudson had several odd

RoyBoy posted:

Canadian Pacific 3000  4-4-4. Marx did it, but no one else has.

 That is the Jubilee and Weaver made a really nice one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujwh_xfYUdk

Delaware & Hudson had too many original designs to count. Google, Delaware & Hudson steam locomotive and take a look. Among my favorites a pair of  4-4-0 Americans.  They also had some 500psi water tube boiler locos which produced over 100,000 lbs of tractive force from a 2-8-0 wheel arrangement.          j

This is the first of a long line of Cab Forwards ever built. It was home built by the Northwestern Pacific RR in Northern California. SP was the parent company of the line. #21 was an oil burner and ran in Marin and Sonoma counties. It would make a great little period locomotive. Don

.......ah, a wish list resurrected....

Pennsylvania Power and Light Company “D”  0-8-0  would be cool.

jimcap posted:

Pennsylvania Power and Light Company “D”  0-8-0  would be cool.

Close enough?

Regards

Fred

Manufacturers, in their deja-vu repetitious mode, would not appreciate my posting titled," Prototype railroads' equipment l will NOT buy". There is already a saturated market of it.

sncf231e posted:

jimcap posted:

Pennsylvania Power and Light Company “D”  0-8-0  would be cool.

Close enough?

Regards

Fred

Close, but no cigar.

Doodlebugs would be great, I don't know if any have been modeled in O-Scale though. Not even sure what lines these ran on.

I've always wanted to see a scale model of the B&O's almost-built-but-killed-by-the-depression W-class steam locomotive:

https://www.american-rails.com...lery[pageGallery]/2/

jimcap posted:

sncf231e posted:

jimcap posted:

Pennsylvania Power and Light Company “D”  0-8-0  would be cool.

Close enough?

Regards

Fred

Close, but no cigar.

The image was reversed.  Is it closer now?    

mwb posted:

D500 posted:

Below is from a 1995 OGR; this never happened, so far as I know. The styrene and urethane superstructure would have made it a scratch basher's friend, also. (Note the lack of website.)

Definitely did happen - those were produced by Ed Reutling and I had one - ran great.  I've seen a few others since then.  I have no idea why the comment about the lack of web site - Ed listed his phone number; he was an entertaining conversationalist.  He was an exceptionally talented and creative guy that produced 5-7 different steam engines, a couple of different freight car kits, and IR-GE boxcab kit, and probably other stuff I never knew about.  Learned more about practical resin casting from him than any other source.  He used to post on OGR and sadly died a few years ago.

GregM posted:

The "lack of a website" comment was just a musing that the ad pre-dated the Internet age where most companies have a web presence.  IMHO.

Yes - GregM is absolutely correct. No snideness here. 

I am surprised that they were made; I never heard of one except in this ad. But, early-Internet and I don't live in the Heart of Model RR Land - so I guess I missed it.

My crack still goes - WBB or someone needs to produce a generic loco like this, solid, simple mechanism, good gearing (no zoom-zoom), reasonable price (but it doesn't have to be cheap) - make it an "always available, more or less" thing. Change a few details/tender/domes every year or 2; make a tank version. Nothing fancy - leave the fancy to the buyers to add - or not.

Mantua had a similar idea in their HO 2-6-6-2; I think those things are still being made by somebody, decades later. There's even an On30 details conversion kit around.

A GNR sterling 4-2-2

justakid posted:

A GNR sterling 4-2-2

Not so far away, that model. 

Ted S posted:

Here's another look at Baldwin 60000, an unsung hero of steam loco development.

To my knowledge no one has made an accurate O scale model of this unique loco.  It would be a natural for MTH because reportedly the prototype was delivered in PURPLE paint!  As a demonstrator it ran on many RRs and was fueled by both oil and coal during its demo run.  And the best part... it still exists in nearly perfect condition, buried in the basement of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute for over 70 years!

I may be wrong but didn,t the sp have locomotives like this?

nickaix posted:

Here's a handsome loco you'll never see in O.

Missouri Pacific class MT-75 Mountain. There were only seven altogether, 1939 rebuilds of USRA light mountains, done in MoPac's own Sedalia shops. These had 75" drivers, steam pressure of 250 psi, and burned oil.

Now this is what I call big wheels!!

http://www.cartercountyhistory...-engine-the-pot.html

I'd pay quite a bit for a good scale model of this locomotive, even in 3 rail.

It was one of the very last steam locomotives used commercially in the United States. I saw it in steam on numerous occasions when I was younger.

It ran up until about 1990. It is now fully restored in its original paint job, under cover near where it used to run.

I would like to see some detailed saddle-tanks w/ command control.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Doodlebugs would be great, I don't know if any have been modeled in O-Scale though. Not even sure what lines these ran on.

MTH Railking versions are available though could use an added detail upgrade from its continued Proto-1 shell origins.  However, IMHO the best current version available is the Sunset/3rd Rail d'bug as demonstrated by Norm C.

I still think there's a market for smaller steam locomotives, particularly in two-rail O. I'd like to see more of them with working couplers on the pilot as well as on the tender. 

351_DD-1 posted:

Thanks, Firewood, I never would have thunk it.  Don't think I've ever heard of a compressed air mine loco mentioned on the Forum either.

I bet you've seen them but had not realized it, thinking they just looked fat or odd.  The stack missing is the big clue. They got used in other flame hazardous or alongside stationary steam used for other stationary drive operations too. Neat concept really.

A lot of these are gorgeous but alas, unlikely to be mass produced.

What could be done is a laser scan of an existing train, then that run through a computer design program, then sent to a 3D printer, and eventually you have the model. Hey, if they can do it with guns...