I'm going to ask one last time...It's Time.

Don, 

Beautiful layout!  I am truly impressed!

Don,

I agree with you. I'd buy a Steeple Cab in Tidewater Southern paint in a heartbeat. As far as that goes, I'd settle for one in UP as you pictured.

God Bless,

"Pappy"

I hate 'em.

But, dang! That is some nice work, Don!! Wow!

Over the years, one of the Japanese companies offered a Westinghouse-Baldwin steeple cab in two rail "0" gauge.  I have one of those, as does "Scale Rail" which , I believe is that one on your photo #2.  I would also like to see a good, three rail model of the 45 Ton GE steeple cab, like the one on your first photo.  The trucks would be the same as the IR/GE/Also box cab that MTH did a few years ago. 

These engines, which all share a similar chassis, were made in 40 ton, 50 ton and others, all the way up to some 120 tons.  But the cab was similar to all engines; just the height was changed for the different cab identities.

This would also be the basis of the 44 ton and 45 ton GE diesels that were made in high quantity and that some remain even today,  Basically, the frame and trucks remained the same and only the cab was changed for the higher horsepower and heavier engines.

Interestingly, in diesel configuration, GE made a 44 ton as well as a 45 ton locomotive.  The 44 ton was designed to be operated by only one crew member.  At the time they were built, the 45 ton required two persons in the cab.  But, interestingly, the 44 ton had four traction motors, each one powering one axle.  But the 45 ton engine had only two traction motors and the non powered axle was connected by a series of side rods to give traction to the non-powered axle.  The resultant effect was of those little side rods churning around at a feverish pace, really giving character to the engine.

In any case, if one of our manufacturers does come out with a model of one or more of thes little work-horses, put me down for a couple of them.

Paul Fischer

I'd like to see this and other similar locomotives produced. I would also like to see some locomotives that were made by The Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes-Barre Pa produced. 

Don

What's wrong with ETS?

Problem with the ETS model is that it is a replica of the Westinghouse/Baldwin steeple cab.  Not really an accurate model, either.  Don't remember the exact price of the unit but I recall that it was not cheap and did not  have any command control system aboard.  It's cute, but not the model that I'm looking for.

Paul Fischer

I have a bunch of the brass bodies that I put K-line trucks on. As far as ETS goes... they are nice but are tinplate engines. I'm looking for something in scale. Don

This is a wide shot of my box cab, again with K-line running gear. I've also converted all my pantographs to scale, not using the old Lionel ones anymore. Don

Scale Rail & PRR,

   Thanks for making me aware of the Tin Plate ETS, I did not know they existed, as far as Lionel or MTH making one, heck I would purchase a Westinghouse P2 or Legacy in a split sec.  Going to look into the Tin Plate for sure, if it's O gauge.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, it's O gauge three rail. Don

The ETS tinplate steeple cabs are available in either two-rail or three-rail, and with any of a large assortment of U.S. and European couplers. You also occasionally find the two-rail version wired for the rather strange ETS control system, which seems to be a frequency modulated constant-voltage setup. This is rare in this country, but I do have an ETS two-rail set using that system. When buying, be sure you know exactly what you are getting. A three-rail version was sold on the Bay a couple of weeks ago - as I recall the winning bid was in the $250 range. They also make a tiny Euro-prototype steeple cab switcher. 

Hello Don,

Do you mean to tell me that you do not miss the "gang" at Niles Canyon?

Anyone,

There was a gentleman in Washington State that makes a complete Standard Gauge Steeple Cab set in tinplate. If my memory serves me...the set had five cars.

God Bless,

"Pappy"

Well, for one it's not currently listed on their website.

Rusty

Pappy I miss that old gang in Niles very much. I also miss riding in the cab of that wonderful Pacific. Don

Hopefully the new MTH 44 tonners are a success for them and that will prove to them that there is a market for these small engines.  Then maybe they will step up to the plate on these GE's as well.

Andy

Don,

Not to change the subject, but . . . have you posted more pictures of your layout recently? I am anxious to see more!

Thx!

Alex

Alex no. I've been slow on doing much more. Funny you asked, I just started a new section yesterday. This is all canyon area. I made a bunch of rock molds and today will make more. I think I'm on my sixth 15lbs bag of plaster and will need more soon. Don

Rusty Just clicked your link & it is there on page 2 third from last. list $496. James

Don,  What are you using for your pantographs?  Thanks in advance,  Pat B.

I have a KATO N-Gauge Japanese prototype steeple cab electric with a nicely done operating scale pantograph.

I have a display with that loco pulling three Japanese prototype N-Gauge passenger cars also made by KATO.

The rest of my N-Gauge collection consists of a Bachmann USRA 0-6-0 switcher pulling three Atlas NC&StL 1932-era 40' boxcars each with different car numbers.

Ooops...  Missed the second page.

Rusty

As with any new engine the manufacturer must carefully examine market demand, and price points to make a successful run. Tooling costs must be recovered and amortized into the price. The question then simply becomes can we sell enough units to justify production and turn a profit? 

As on other threads before, this is an interesting loco, but not one I think will be made anytime soon.  However, it would not be hard to bash/scratchbuild one and if you don't want to do it yourself there are folks here and probably who you can find at TCA meets who will build it for you.  

I think there is a decent chance MTH might offer some kind of steeplecab  in the next couple of years. We know Mike Wolf likes electrics - look at all the scale electrics he has already built, including some like the Milwaukee Road boxcabs that are not exactly household words. As Dennis points out, it's a question of what will sell, and we are coming out of an extended recession. Assuming that train sales pick up as employment improves, I'd guess that Mike will have another go with the cancelled McKeen Windsplitter and that a  steeplecab electric, possibly the GE switcher used by the Milwaukee Road and others, might not be far behind.