How you you like to attend a school where you learn to all the trade skills to build a locomotive , cars, layout, and running schedules? ....
Fieldston School , Riverdale , NY. Mr W Houghton head of the Mechanical Arts Department carefully laid out classes for the various grades to hone skills in wood & metal working to building a model railroad in the attic of one of the school buildings . In the 1930's the layout was standard gauge 25'x60' with many stations and industry destinations along the way. Layout was outside 3rd rail.
By 1940 the standard gauge layout was pulled up and replaced with O scale and 3 B&O Mikados were under construction .
An article was published in Miniature Railroading Jan 1941 complete with standard gauge layout plan.
This O scale engine recently surfaced ..a C& O Mikado..construction may have been by a group effort at the school .
Chassis steel block machined out
Tender chassis and truck side frames sand cast alumium
Steel cylinder for tender body
Sheet brass rolled for boiler
Cast drivers with out spoke openings ..so easier to make
Lack of handrails and small details for easy handling
She does run very nicely ...but does growl !
Please see link for action video.
Pulling a drag of frieght cars from the 30's & 40's
Article photo of modified Lionel 8 running on the outside 3rd rail layout .
Fieldston School is still in business ...unknown if they have any additional information regarding the layout or trains .
Cheers Carey
Not an Alexander or Icken ...
