Southern 630

There are no current plans for anyone making a SRR Ks-1 class 2-8-0 in O. I've checked. Heck, nobody makes one in HO that I'm aware of, either.

I'm not in 3-rail at all but I'd buy even a 3-rail version of 630's class, as this is the first steam loco I ever got a cab ride on (at the age of 11). My parents saw her in operation countless times as ET&WNC # 207 before she was traded back to the SRR for a Central of Georgia RS-3 (which ironically is sitting within 200 feet of where 630 usually sits, at the shop end at TMVRM. I was lucky enough to see my old friend again in 2012 (31 years after I first saw her), but sadly not in steam:

If I ever got a model of this class, I'd be torn on painting it as 630 or modifying the coal bunker area to make it into ET&WNC 207:

I have been sending regular e-mails to MTH (about one a month) asking for this engine for a couple years now. I even talked to an MTH guy in person at a show back in January. I told him I didn't care if it was Premier or RK Imperial. It seems like every catalog has PRR 2-8-0's in it, it is time for something new. I think it would be a good seller. Even the modern era modelers can run it as it is now in excursion service. I keep waiting and hoping.

The ET&WNC ran 207 until 1967. Along with 208 (known today as SRR 722), they were the very last steam locomotives to operated in interchange with other steam, in the form of North American Rayon fireless cook # 1:

I'm pretty sure that 722 was built by Baldwin, 630 was built by ALCO Richmond. Thought they're part of the same class and built in the same general timeframe, there are some subtle differences.

Subtle differences never stopped lionel or MTH before.

But they've stopped a few modelers, though. I certainly won't buy a model if it's too far off from what I'm looking for, detail-wise.

MTH's H9 2-8-0 would make a good Southern 2500 class. http://southern.railfan.net/im.../steam/cons/2506.jpg

If your looking to do Southern 630 your best pick is to find a Weaver 2-8-0 and repaint. I've found a Boston and Maine version with full TMCC that I plan to repaint into Southern 630. I shouldn't have to do a lot of changes since the weaver model is pretty close to being a Ks-1.

Sounds like a worthwhile project & I'd sure like to see that when it's completed.

Thanks SOOO much for all the replies.  I grew up in Chattanooga and have an affinity for steam engines.  I enjoyed the General many times when it was at Union Station in Chattanooga (station AND the General gone now.)  I have a couple of original Chicago Tribune photos of the General during the 100th anniversary of the Great Locomotive Chase when the General was steamed up and made a trip past the raiders graves in the National Cemetery.  Anyway, my son and I took the excursion to Summerville during the LCCA National Convention in Chattanooga and really enjoyed that. Also took a ride with the family and grandsons on the 630 through the tunnel at TVRR Museum.

Would love to have an MTH Proto 2 or 3 of the 630.

Weaver 2-8-0 decorated as A&Y 481. I relocated the bell to the top of the smokebox to display one of Southern's practices. However, SRR 630 had its bell mounted in the "blessing" position on the smokebox front[as shown in the SR Sean photo above].

Those of you wanting a Southern 630 are going to be happy come friday at 9:00am.

I had hoped with the issue of the Southern GP30 2594 that one day it would happen.

Johnny are you saying that Lionel has a Southern 630 in the new catalog!!

Shhhhh

I guess so.  Legacy Station has their price list up:

http://www.legacystation.com/pdf/Lionel2015v2.pdf

I'm getting one.  Anyone else?

I sure hope they don't use this tooling for their BTO Consolidations, except for UP 618 and Southern Pacific 2521:

I know how Lionel tends to use older toolings on a lot of their products.  Other than that, I'm excited to see the new catalog on Friday, can't wait to see the end result.