Scale Strasburg Products from Lionel

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

Yeah, I don’t see MTH or even Lionel modifying a mold to be that accurate. And at them moment, as I am not as strict as some with accuracy, I would just be happy with a #90 that is even 80-85% accurate and comes pretty close to being scale. Some will disagree with me, but I am looking at something really close is better then nothing. 

It's easy to modify a mold that doesn't yet exist 

@SantaFe158 posted:

It's easy to modify a mold that doesn't yet exist 

Fair statement. 

@SantaFe158 posted:

The Age of Steam Roundhouse crew shared this writeup about the 2-10-0 in their collection.  They also briefly discussed some of the history of 2-10-0s in general.

https://www.ageofsteamroundhou...aKZhse5FhRoCQqd3qdPA

Very nice summary of the 2-10-0 history. 

@Prr7688 posted:

@artfull dodger 1361 is owned by the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pa. There's a lot of drama and complications surrounding the restoration that I won't go too in depth on. To summarize recent news, a group of accredited preservationist (including Bennett Levin) took control of the restoration as of 2018. They are planning for the construction of a new welded boiler to avoid the FRA compliance issues of the original boiler. Other than that announcement in May 2018, there hasn't been much communication to the public about the restoration. A small group of volunteers are working on cleaning/fixing small appliances. The tender has also been sand-blasted and primed. Personally, I wish that the group could provide more consistent updates like the group restoring Santa Fe 2926. 

1361 does not have any connections to Strasburg other than their machine shop doing contract work on it's wheels awhile back. I was happy to answer your question, but want to keep this thread centered on the topic of Lionel's scale Strasburg product tease from the 'Virtual York' event. There are defiantly more people interested in 1361 who might enjoy a separate thread discussing it!

a group of accredited preservationist (including Bennett Levin)  Love that family!

Unfortunately, still no #90 or 475 from Lionel or MTH. Only a SW8 switcher from Lionel which Atlas has already done in tmcc with much greater detail than the bto one Lionel shows in their 2020 vol. 1 catalogue. But thankfully there now will (hopefully) be a Strasburg camelback (Lionel 2020 vol.1 catalogue) for us diehard Strasburg fans.

THANK YOU LIONEL!!!

I'm holding out for the #90 or #475.  I thought about the Camelback, but I decided against it.

I was one of the few who preordered the new SW8 in Strasburg markings.

I normally don’t preorder things these days, but considering one of my best friends worked on that engine and I rode behind it during the Day Out with Thomas events in the recent past, I had to have that one.

I would absolutely buy an accurate model of no. 90 if it came to fruition.

@SantaFe158 posted:

It's easy to modify a mold that doesn't yet exist

Yes it is!  We can only hope.

I have also ordered the Strasburg SW8. I also broke down and ordered the camelback. I know it’s not prototypical, but I liked it and thought what the heck.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'm holding out for the #90 or #475.  I thought about the Camelback, but I decided against it.

Also holding out if Lionel decides to include 90 in the fall catalog. When (staying optimistic) Lionel does produce it, I hope they include an electro-coupler on the front of the engine for more prototypical operation

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

I have also ordered the Strasburg SW8. I also broke down and ordered the camelback. I know it’s not prototypical, but I liked it and thought what the heck.

Why do you say the camelback isn't prototypical?

Hey, maybe MTH will surprise us with one final uncataloged offering!!

@ogaugeguy posted:

Why do you say the camelback isn't prototypical?

What I was referring to is that the 4-6-0 camelback from Lionel is not the same as the camelback that sits on the Strasburg property. I believe theirs is a different wheel arrangement. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I don’t believe Strasburg ever had a functional or otherwise 4-6-0 camelback in their roster.

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

What I was referring to is that the 4-6-0 camelback from Lionel is not the same as the camelback that sits on the Strasburg property.

Correct. The camelback that previously was at the Strasburg Rail Road, which was recently sold to the Age of Steam Roundhouse in Ohio, was/is a Reading RR 0-4-0 (#1187).

I believe theirs is a different wheel arrangement.

It was an 0-4-0.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I don’t believe Strasburg ever had a functional or otherwise 4-6-0 camelback in their roster.

Correct again.

@Carl Peduzzi posted:

What I was referring to is that the 4-6-0 camelback from Lionel is not the same as the camelback that sits on the Strasburg property. I believe theirs is a different wheel arrangement. Someone can correct me if I am wrong. I don’t believe Strasburg ever had a functional or otherwise 4-6-0 camelback in their roster.

Carl, you are correct. The Lionel 4-6-0 camelback is based on a Jersey Central locomotive. (99% sure it's Jersey Central).

The camelback at Strasburg was Reading #1187 (or Strasburg #4). It was an 0-4-0 wheel arrangement. It was built by Baldwin for the Reading as a class A4-b switcher. It eventually made it's way to a Iron Company in Birdsboro Pa where it was re-numbered #4. Here's a video of it in operation there. In the early 1960's Strasburg purchased the locomotive and it is the only one of Strasburg's engines to have traveled to Strasburg under it's own power.

The engine had a short operational life at Strasburg. As the railroad took off in popularity in the mid-60's, the trains quickly became to heavy for the engine. It was displayed at the SRC and RRMPA property between the 70s until early 2000s when it went joined Strasburg's 'restoration line' (engines outside the backshop waiting for their turn for restoration). Here is an album of pictures during it's time at Strasburg.

As Strasburg is very busy, the engine was at the bottom of the priority list for restoration. Last year, a number of organizations approached Strasburg about purchasing the locomotive and Strasburg held a private auction. Ultimately the engine won by the Age of Steam museum and trucked there over the summer. Due to the scarce number of camelbacks left, along with it being integrated with Strasburg's early history, it has obtained a cult-like following.

Jake, thank you for posting the link to the Strasburg roster including retired equipment. Interesting read!

I was reading a history of the Wilmington and Western railroad on its website last week, and was surprised to learn that it had acquired Amtrak # 4934 GG1 (former PRR #4917, by way of NJ Transit and Conrail.  So I now have a custom painting/detailing project in mind ...  A GG1 in dusty black with white lettering.  Can anyone suggest a good source for Amtrak decals/lettering, or who might be able to or to prepare a Wilmington & western decal?

David