I recently purchased a Lionel 2231340 - Legacy A1 Berkshire Steam Locomotive - Boston & Albany #1401. Yes, I’m a Boston & Albany fan and, so far, I’ve been very pleased with the way this engine looks, sounds, and runs. I didn’t pre-order it because it was considerably more expensive than what I’ve been buying lately but when it became available, I decided not to pass it up.
According to Lionel, the model’s length is 26-½ inches and the minimum curve is O-54.
I operate conventionally and without smoke, so I can’t speak to any of the Legacy features. I just turn on the transformer and let the engine and train circulate on the layout, watching as they pass through the scenery and, especially with this engine, listening to the terrific steam sounds. If Berkshires still ran on a railroad near me, that’s exactly what I’d do – stand by the tracks, watch the engine thunder past, and listen to the sounds as it chugs along. The chugging on this model seems to be more forceful than on the smaller steamers that I usually run.
The model’s external details are exceptional - including the huge firebox, feedwater heater, superheater and piping, large B&A square sandbox, steam turret, booster engine on the rear truck, and booster exhaust stack just ahead of the main stack. The backhead detail is also excellent.
This model represents a Lima Berkshire freight engine – the first of its type to enter service. As such, it isn’t a high-drivered passenger locomotive but it is a brute that greatly outperformed the B&A Mikados and Consolidations that came before it. The “Berkshire” name was taken from the hills in western Massachusetts crossed by the Boston & Albany railroad. I’ve been driving US 20 in Massachusetts for 60 years – a road that closely parallels the B&A. Take it from me, there’s a hill in Charlton, Massachusetts – on the road (and on the railroad) that is almost too steep for my car, and another one between Springfield and Albany that is steeper…
In my opinion, Lionel did an excellent job on this model, and I’m really enjoying it.
Berkshire #1401 was delivered from Lima in February 1926. It had 63-inch driving wheels, ran at 240 pounds-per-square-inch steam pressure, and weighed 389,000 pounds. Tractive effort was 69,400 pounds and 81,400 pounds with booster. #1401 was scrapped in February 1949.
Photos and video were taken on my 12’-by-8’ layout – with a level track.
MELGAR
