Lobaugh Union Pacific Northern

Wonder why it has a Lima Locomotive Works diamond shaped builder plate, since the UP FEF class locomotives were manufactured by Alco. Sure is a nice looking model though.

One of the best I have seen.  Some of the old timers assembled them wrong.

It could be that the FEF is just a very large locomotive, and that's why it looks 17/64.  Most Lobaugh, even prewar, was closer to 1/4" scale.  I shall measure mine to verify.

Hello Bob ...

The prewar switcher is also 17/64ths ..,compare to postwar model

Prewar model is 1937-9 with open gear

Dan Henon told me the 17/64 switcher was originally Pratt - same outfit that made the all cast B6.

Things to note on the FEF: Lobaugh made valve gear rods for this model only out of lost wax nickel silver.  Builder went several steps beyond with proper hex nuts and Walschaerts attachment hardware.  Also, the cab is down on the boiler as it should be - not way up in the air like some builders did.  And the tender is ripple-free - almost unheard of with Lobaugh Challenger Centipede tenders.  Runs well, too!  A true find, for Carey, who is likely headed for Lobaugh collectordom.

Here is mine - not as nice as Carey's, but genuine Lobaugh except for the sprung Centipede truck.

Hello Bob

nice Northern ,,,,   the Lobaugh SP  060  came out in 1937 ..sheet brass boiler etc ....

Pratt 060  PRR cast boiler etc ...came out in 1939 .  (kit 35.00)..just in time for Lionel to take away all  possible sales in 1940 with their engine  (35.00 RTR) .

Cheers Carey 

@Carey Williams posted:

Hello all

1941 Rollin Lobaugh introduces his UP Northern...a huge engine built to 17/64ths.

Last photo compare the size of the Northern to the Lobaugh Berkshire 1/4"..the tiny engine on the right.

Cheers Carey

action packed video link

https://youtu.be/f7QQshifftk

Holy moly...

That's really something, isn't it!?!

Mark in Oregon

A quick check - I haven’t pulled the drawings for actual measurement - the lower model is Lionel; the upper is Lobaugh

And finally, the 1/4” Scale drawings in Kratville’s fine book:

By the way, the Lionel FEF is as good as I have seen, detail-wise. It’s major flaw is the wheels and frame - I used a Lobaugh frame, USH drivers, the original rods, cylinders, and pilot beam, and am quite happy.  There is a USH FEF around here as well - same size.  These things were huge!

Hello Bob thank you for posting the additional photos ...ok from the Lobaugh compared to the 1/4" drawing ...the Lobaugh wins ? ..

It matches the drawing - of course the drawing is on paper, so dimensional stability is lacking.

The point is, Lionel hasn't made anything in 17/64 in over eighty years - the Lionel is 1/4" scale, and is at least as big as the Lobaugh.

As far as I can tell, the prewar SP switcher was the only 17/64 model made by Lobaugh.  Other dimensional liberties were taken - remember, we have 5' gauge, and wide tread wheels.  Cylinders were wider . . .

I always have to add this one - it introduced me to scratchbuilding, although it was a kit.  We are not sure of the prototype for the kit, but it made a nice FEF-1, after some extensive boiler and cab work, and new cylinders.  Drivers are spaced too widely; something that the designer decided was necessary for the operating leaf springs and equalizers.

Good stuff, this. I realized I have a worn copy of the 1941 catalog: after looking at it again it seems Mr. Lobaugh was not shy about "blowing his own horn"... 🙂

Mark in Oregon