1880s-era 4-4-0 in O scale?

Yes, SMR trains but I think you will find they are too expensive for kitbashing.

There was an outfit that made 1880s kits.  I think Carey has a couple.  "Western" sticks in my mind, but not sure.  Thomas may have produced one as well.

I thought Lionel was bringing one in - brass and die cast?

Thomas Industries made 4-4-0's, but they're probably too rare and expensive for kitbashing. Plus, I don't know if they were ever made in 2 rail. I just measured the drivers on mine - 72", so too big for your purposes.

bob2 - do you mean Great Western?  If so, the drivers are too small and the engines are almost impossible to find.

But 49 is looking for small drivers.  Also he didn’t specify a budget.

If it were me, I would start from scratch.  Wagontop boilers are difficult, but not impossible.  Start with a brass sink tail pipe.  

Very nice!  Love to get 2-3 just like it!

Ah me. Well bob2, it just goes to show - sometimes you shouldn't read and try to respond to things first thing in the morning - I thought the initial post said 72 - not 62...   ...and I agree - I think a scratch build would be the better choice.

That's as I suspected - going to have to try my hand at a scratch build.  I admit a wagon-top boiler does scare me a bit, but that's what trial and error is for!  Thanks to everyone for the responses.

Thomas Industries 4-4-0's were indeed available as a 2 rail kit.  They are really nice if you can find one.  This one has been re-detailed for the B&M.  As acquired was more 19th century.

That one looks really nice. I hadn't ever seen them in two rail before, nice to know they exist.

I bet the Lobaugh B&M 4-4-0 would fix you up.  It came with 65” drivers usually, but other sizes work.  I “SP’d” mine, but you can see the boiler shape.  These are not uncommon - a really nice one will bring $300.  

A nice 1900 version is the All Nation.

Photos soon.

Here you go:

Lionel last summer released their Hybrid 4-4-0

Nice job with the Thomas B&M one.  Bob, I like that Lobaugh, although its dimensions look a little too husky for me.  Those last photos show the size difference between early and late 4-4-0s - amazing!  And those new Lionels look beautiful.

I also saw once how somebody cut down a Rivarossi 4-6-0 into a 4-4-0, and I think those drivers are the right size.  That could be an inexpensive way to get started.

I wish I could post a prototype photo, but I don't want to run afoul of any forum rules.  We're talking the kind of stock 4-4-0 that all the railroads had in the 1880s.

Hello all ... Great Western made "old time" engines ...1948-52...

Here is a link to see their 1948-9 440

https://youtu.be/5z5b05M3NLw