Civil War group looking for a 0 gauge model of 'The General'

If you want a scale model I know SMR made a model of the General and Texas a few years back.

Lionel of course has made their model in many variations since the postwar era, and I believe MTH also has their own versions (none are scale from either company)

Bachmann makes an HO and N scale 4-4-0 from that era, but I'm not sure if they've made a specific one in the "General" scheme.

MTH/Railking made an over-sized, badly proportioned General based on its current appearance. You might be able to find one of those fairly cheap. Even with its faults, it's still miles above the Lionel version, which is more cartoon than model.

In O scale, you can't beat the SMR model.  Of course, given the quality of the model, it won't come cheap (assuming you can even find one).  To the best of my knowledge, you'll not find a more accurate model of that engine in O scale.  Not sure what may have been commercially available in the other scales.

Thanks for the replies that appear so far.

LegacyStation.com had the MTH version on the shelf last time I was in the store.

Jake, Robert and Allan have the correct information.

I believe, the SMR model is, or is close to, 1:48 scale size and is very prototypical, as well, as being an all around museum quality production.

BUT, it costs a dear price!!!!!

Ralph

Here's SMR's link:

http://www.smrtrains.com

Ralph

In. 2012 the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA) commissioned Lionel to produce a pair of engines (the Texas and the General) to commemorate the 150th Anniversay of the Great Train Chase of 1862.  

They may be available on the secondary market.

Al K. 

Thanks to all for your help. I have forwarded the information you guys provided and 

that will probably suffice.

Again, many thank to all who have been so, so helpful sharing your time and talents

to help a LHS Out of a delima.

For a display model it's hard to beat the plastic display 1/25 scale model produced by MPC and later AMT. Being 1/25 scale it's BIG and very nicely detailed. It even comes with a nice display base. They come up on ebay now and then for around $50 so it will not break anyone bank. Check it out!!

  The other thing to bear in mind is the size - these are small engines - I would almost wonder if perhaps a painting might not be a better idea - at least from the standpoint of people being able to gather 'round and see it.  Just FYI attached is a picture I took recently of the three SMR scale models of the main actors in the Great Locomotive Chase along side an N&W Y-3 - everything is in O scale.

That's why for a display model I'd go with the MPC kit. Over 2 feet long.....one on ebay now for $25.....a deal!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1980-MPC-The-General-4-4-0-Steam-Locomotive-1-25-Scale-Model-Kit-1-2001-/121315228902?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c3ef37ce6

The MPC model kit AMC Dave mentions is probably the most affordable and easily obtained option.  This is the one my grandfather built:

It is impressive in both size and detail, however, it is a model of how the General looks today, after many re-builds and conversions.

The SMR General is a model of the General as it looked during the "Great Locomotive Chase":

There are quite a few differences.  It is true museum quality brass (and it runs), but the downside is the price and availability.  Odds are that if you can find one for sale that it would probably be well north of $1000.

As for the Lionel and MTH versions, I personally like the Lionel version between the two, but this is for personal aesthetics and not any belief that it is accurate in any way.

Andy

By the way Bernard - any chance the hobby shop knows the name of the veteran? It would be interesting to see if he is mentioned in one of the histories of the chase.

You may have a difficult time finding one of our GENERAL models, the folks who have them seem to want to keep them.  However, SMR is willing to donate a full-color print of the General if this is acceptable.

Please have them contact me directly at dave@smrtrains.com

Some of you may like to know that on Memorial Day, the family of one of the raiders, Wilson Brown (one of the engineers) are donating Brown's Medal of Honor (which was one of the first ever awarded) to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, GA.  This is the museum where the actual GENERAL is on display.

Dave

Good Morning Folks!

The hobby shop e-m's me that they did find a suitable model for the museum's request.

It is MPC plastic kit in 1/25 scale within the $100-$150 range. 

They wish me to thank everyone for their input and so do I.

Now: Robert S. Butler...I will try to find out the name of the veteran. Thank you for asking because we certainly need to follow up on that for history's sake.

SMR Trains...Dave, I certainly will contact the guys at Orange Grove Hobby Shop and ask them

to mention this generous request to the folks at the Beauvoir museum.

Thanks again to all the forum members who responded.

You may also want to check with the museum where the real General is located in Kennesaw, Georgia.

They have a gift shop and may have other contacts that may be able to assist.

Link:

http://www.southernmuseum.org/

A combo of SMR donation and the MPC plastic kit will be great!