JCP 1970 Berkshire

It's built just like the postwar 736.   Comes w/ SoS & Whistle.  2671W tender w/ 6 wheel trucks.   I have the NKP Berk, which was done in 82 - same engine except for the tender.   Nice large Pullmor motor, magnetraction, smoke.   Mine runs great.

Was a bit confused- thought you were saying 1970 was the year it came out. This is Lionel no.8615 from 1986. It's a pretty scarce engine - was a high-dollar item at one time. I heard some information years ago that they didn't make that many of them, that production was cut short because something went wrong with the old Postwar Berkshire die during production. There was talk that this was the last Berkshire made with the entire original Lionel dies. Don't know if that's really true or not.

Despite some people's complaints about MPC, there are many MPC engines that are virtually identical to the hallowed Postwar models. This was one of them, as Christopher notes.

As a Note:  "Big EMMA" as it was called had the number - 1970 - in large yellow  numbers on the tender, with a yellow stripe above and below the numbers running across the tender from end to end.  It was a JCP catalog item.  From time to time, one can find a tender shell with the  1970 number on it for separate sale, the tender style was the 2671 streamline tender.  Dennis M.

From the Trainz archive information pages:

#8615 [#1970] Louisville and Nashville 2-8-4 (1986)  

The final MPC-era big steam engine was a special made for JC Penney.  Known as ‘Big Emma’, this engine was decorated for the Louisville and Nashville, one of the most prolific operators of 2-8-4s.  A repeat of the 8215 from 1982, this engine also included a display board with a plexiglass cover.  It carries a prototypical number, 1970. 

This last engine is also one of the rarest.  We have seen far fewer 8615s than any of the other 8-drivered locomotives, including the streamlined 4-8-4s.   It is arguably one of the scarcest MPC-era steam engines, second only to the 5484 TCA Hudson of 1985.

Thanks for the information.

Brent

You may want to check out the NKP one.  Lionel # 8215 - the tender is really nice on it

That is interesting. I have a Pere Marquette Berkshire that is based on the 726 Berk, has the plug in reverse unit, and early Railsounds, and of course, the obligatory whitewall tires. Looks like a giant American Flyer loco. However, when it starts running with the rudimentary Railsounds, it has a charm all it's own. The L&N is nice also, and a rarer find. I originally thought that the Pere Marquette Berk was the last US made steam loco, but several actually came after it. Still a favorite. 

>>>There was talk that this was the last Berkshire made with the entire original Lionel dies. Don't know if that's really true or not. 

Despite some people's complaints about MPC, there are many MPC engines that are virtually identical to the hallowed Postwar models. This was one of them,<<<

Pretty much the way I remember it.   Most collectors remember Big Emma made from leftover parts from previous issues of the Berk.  At one time I owned the engine.  My example had visible pre drilled holes on the boiler used to attach smoke lifters.  Probably a shell from the earlier release of the UP or GN Berk.

If you're a MPC fan/collector, Big Emma is a somewhat rare & important piece to own.

Joe