Have any of these steamers been made in O Scale?

As far as I know, the K3 and N2sa have not been made in O.  Not sure about the other two.  If you find any K3 or N2sa engines let me know (after you get yours).

Since you are a fan of the PRR, I'm curious as to what you are looking for in the USRA 2-10-2.  The PRR got 130 of these in 1919 (N2 class) but starting in 1923 rebuilt them all to the N2sa configuration with the Belpaire firebox.  Many N2sa engines survive into the early 1950s.  My layout era is post WWII so the USRA 2-10-2 is not a player for me.  But the N2sa is and I would really like someone to make one of these.

The K3 is something I would also like to see, or a K2.  Except for the tenders, these engines were very similar late in life and lasted until the late 1940s.

I am not aware of any of the above, but really more aware of PRR stuff.   I don't know of any K 3 or N2 imported.   

I think a K2 would be more appropriate because there were a lot more of them.    And they lasted post WWII also.   As for the N2, I would be tempted but not lusting for it.    It is an interesting addition to a PRR roster.   As an aside apparently they worked the GR&I until replaced by diesels in the 50s.    apparently their axle loading was light enough to let them run north of Grand Rapids, MI to Mackinaw City.     I know K4s were to heavy for this line, so all passenger was G5s.   I am pretty sure that L1s could not run up there either.   

Well what I am try to do is see if there is any interest in these locos then present the models and this thread to Scott Mann to see if we can get them made. The reason for the PRR K3 is the PRR sold five I believe to the N&W and class those steamers as E3. 

The PRR along with several other roads purchased the HEAVY USRA 2-10-2 ( B&LE, C&S, Erie, CB&Q) and since the N2sa are USRA 2-10-2 rebuilds that use the same running gear why not get that model produced along side as well!  

I wasn't sure if any of these models were ever done so there could be a high probability they might get done since the market is lacking new product these days.

I would like to see any Illinois Central mainline steam engine before I see any more PRR. 

However, in direct response to the original question, only the 2-10-2 would hold any interest... but only if made in road names of any interest.

charlie

Pretty sure at least one of the USRA 2-10-2s were made.  Check early Sunset.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Well what I am try to do is see if there is any interest in these locos then present the models and this thread to Scott Mann to see if we can get them made. The reason for the PRR K3 is the PRR sold five I believe to the N&W and class those steamers as N3. 

The 5 PRR K3 engines sold to the N&W were classed E3 and numbered 500-504.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Have any of these o steam locomotives been made in O Scale:

PRR K3

N&W N3

USRA 2-10-2 (heavy and light)

PRR N2sa

Second question is anyone else interested in the manufacturer of these steam locomotives?

Big Jim posted:

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Well what I am try to do is see if there is any interest in these locos then present the models and this thread to Scott Mann to see if we can get them made. The reason for the PRR K3 is the PRR sold five I believe to the N&W and class those steamers as N3. 

The 5 PRR K3 engines sold to the N&W were classed E3 and numbered 500-504.

 

Sorry for the misinformation. I will correct.

The USRA light 2-10-2 was done by early Sunset.......in the late 70's, along with the USRA light and heavy 2-8-2's.

bob2 posted:

Pretty sure at least one of the USRA 2-10-2s were made.  Check early Sunset.

mark s posted:

The USRA light 2-10-2 was done by early Sunset.......in the late 70's, along with the USRA light and heavy 2-8-2's.

I'm not sure about them making any USRA 2-10-2, but Sunset/3rd rail did make the PRR N1 2-10-2.

There was a Sunset USRA light 2-10-2 for sale at the Chicago March Meet this year. I was like Ulysses and the Sirens - - I was sorely tempted, but I kept myself "lashed to the mast" !!   

Ron: there are two different series of Sunset imports.  Scott's father Mort was an avid O Scaler, and imported a huge variety of unpainted brass in the 1970s and thereabouts.  I hope someday Scott does a book.

I even have some 1" scale Sunset parts, and my big steamer had a 1 1/2" scale brass Sunset bell.

Ed - For the record, and the discussion (please, not an argument, conversation only) Sunset imported a light USRA 2-10-2.  Since my favorite road, the CB&Q, was assigned USRA heavy  2-10-2's, I would have enthusiastically snapped a "heavy" up.  Alas, it was not to be. I suppose a "light" could be "pushed" into a Pennsy USRA 2-10-2, but Pennsy also was assigned USRA heavy 2-10-2's. 

Maybe someone will come up with a photo of the Sunset engine.   

The USRA light 2-10-2 had 57" drivers and weighed 352,000 lbs (engine only).  The USRA heavy 2-10-2 had 63" drivers and weighed 380,000 lbs.  For my money, the "light" was the better looking locomotive; the "heavy" looked a bit top heavy. Although 40 years old, the Sunset engine remains a nicely executed model.

Was shocked to see that Pennsy had 130 USRA 2-10-2's. As always, Pennsy did things in a big way !  The remaining 45 USRA heavy 2-10-2's were assigned to the B&LE, C&S, CB&Q and the Erie.

I deleted my earlier post as there were several errors in it.  The PRR N2sa Frank Miller built for Jim Taverna started using elements of a Sunset 3rd Rail N1 mech.  The boiler and tender was scratch built.  Of particular note is that Jim had Frank fit the model with Southern valve gear. 

O scale convention attendees passing within range of Williamsburg (45 mi east of the I295 Richmond beltway) on Sunday Aug 26 should stop by and see 2 good sized O scale Pennsy layouts only 1 1/2 a mile apart.  Jim's has a Northern Central theme and features PRR's  Shamokin branch.  My railroad features a 4 track Horseshoe Curve and the Tyrone and Clearfield branch.

Further to Ed's comments, I had obtained the blueprints associated with the N2sa for Frank so he made a fabulous boiler and unique large USRA tender that was behind the engine. We used the chassis off the N1 by 3rd Rail as they are good runners, had the same driver size and wheelbase, had a cast frame and were not expensive. I obtained a great quantity of photos of the engines late in service and we modeled them in that configuration, ie, blow down muffler but not with the modern front end.  We used Southern valve gear which 25 of the 125 engines had. 

Jim

That is a work of art.  Thanks for sharing.

Exquisite and unique piece!      Really captures the "feel" of this locomotive.  

Thanks, Mark. I have to paint and weather it and it will really jump out. The boiler taper is really pronounced.

Jim

The Pennsy was certainly wed to the Belpaire firebox - - so much so, that they cobbled them onto existing locomotives' boilers...130 locomotives !!  Could the benefits have been so great to warrant that expenditure?

mark s posted:

Could the benefits have been so great to warrant that expenditure?

If you do a search on the web and you will find more cons (more expensive, difficult to clean) than pros (higher efficiency, less complicated) of the Belpaire firebox, but apparently the PRR thought the Belpaire’s better efficiency was worth it. The Great Northern was the only other US railroad to embrace it, although most European railroads used it.

While searching for data on the Belpaire firebox I saw a couple of incorrect comments that it was used because of the coal the PRR had available.  Don't get the Belpaire firebox confused with the Wooten firebox, which was designed for burning Anthracite coal.

Part of the Belpair to be considered is rebuild, at least replacement of Stay bolts.  Basic idea was that with two parallel walls, inner and outer fire box, most of the stay bolts would be the same. Replacement, upgrade, not all that difficult, most machining a replica. Other fire boxes, each staybolt was different, Firebox repair and rebuild were a common part of the continual maintenance of a complex machine.  IMO.  The obvious square front corners of the fire box are part of the parallel design.  

A few other roads made moderate use of Belpaire fire boxes:  CB&Q (4-6-0's), Soo Line (0-6-0's, 4-4-2's), Illinois Central (4-6-0's - Casey Jones !) and Canadian National had a series of heavier 2-8-2's with Belpaire fire boxes, used extensively in Manitoba and Saskatchwan, although a few migrated east to Ontario in the last days of steam. Oh yes, and B&O, during a period of Pennsy financial control.