How about and S Scale Reading T1?

Francine,

A nice though having a model of 2124 and some Reading coaches to go with it. But who would manufacture it?  Lionel would not be able to make the coaches and if they did the engine, I would not order it.  MTH remains to be seen, though I doubt they would make a railroad specific engine, perhaps the coaches, but they have never done S gauge passenger equipment.

American Models would be my choice for both coaches and engine.  They already have a 4-8-4, but it is a major effort to make a new engine shell.  If the coaches could be used for other railroads I am sure they would sell well.

 So for now, I suggest the AM 4-8-4 mechanism and get Bill Lane and Fred Rouse to bash the shell into a Reading T1.  I have plans for 2100 that I would be more than willing to share.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

I wouldn't get my hopes up for ANY newly tooled S steam. I don't think anyone is ready to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to tool up a die-cast S scale T1. That leaves brass, but River Raisin is already on to the Berkshire project. I'll gladly eat crow, but I don't see it happening. As Tom said, if you want one a kitbash would be the best way to go.

Ok I guess I go with plan b, I have already checked the Lionel berg with scaled down plans for the t1. The engine is about 1/4 inches too short, the tender is dead on, but 3/4 in too short. Even the gear on top of the engine is very close. 

A local shop owner pointed out the  modified cow catcher leaves room for a 4 wheel pilot truck. Just have to to a Wooten boiler.

Francine,

When it comes to modeling Reading engines, I have not seen anything like this guy Casey on the Reading Modeler Forum. I’ve inserted a link to his latest project. At the bottom of his emails you will find links to his other work. If you are a Reading fan be sure to look at his work on flickr.com.

http://www.readingmodeler.com/...k-build?start=6#5032

Because of seeing his work (he makes it looks so easy), I started thinking about a Reading Pacific, G3 to be exact, and then found Bill Lane (noted S scale modeler) to be modeling a G1sb (www.lanestrains.com/S_Scale_Reading_G-1sb_204.ht).  Bill’s is solid scale while mine will be Hi-rail using a Flyer K5 chassis and drive rods with a SnS DC motor.  I am starting with a Flyer Reading Atlantic shell and stretching it to fit the K5 chassis.  Doug Peck (www.portlines.com) has much improved, looks wise, replacement drivers.  Fred Rouse (www.sscaleloco.com) makes engine detail castings.  I will be using Bill’s as my prototype.

For a Reading T1, start with the American Models 4-8-4 and a Flyer Atlantic shell for the Wooten boiler and Fred’s detail castings and go from there.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the information, but think for now, I will stick with a modified PE engine.  I will wait awhile, because if I don't someone will come out with one.  That's Murphy's law.