MTH Premier Allegheny

I don't know the item number of the two Premier C&O H-8 models I have, but the early model, #1604 (originally a PS-1, now up-graded to PS-2) was painted & lettered correctly, i.e. the lettering and numbering was correct C&O yellow.

The later model, #1647 appears to have pretty much the same detail level, but was lettered & numbered in "gold" instead of the correct C&O yellow.

You might want to recontact MTH in order to MAKE SURE, that the next release is properly lettered & number in C&O yellow.

My guess would be the fact both engines with those cab numbers do exist today.  One at the B&O Museum and the other at the Henry Ford Museum.  I am not near my catalogs to check.

From what it looks like in both the catalog and online, the only difference is that the cab windows on 20-3504-1 (#1618) are red while the cab windows on 20-3505-1 (#1601) are yellow.

Stuart

I will call Mike over the weekend and find out. 

That would be great, I would love to hear what Mike has to say.  I just want to know if there will be any differences in these two MTH models other than cab numbers. I was also wondering if there were any significant differences between the prototype C&O 1601 and 1618 Alleghenies and , if so, would they appear on the MTH models. The catalog pictures show a C&O logo on the upper corner of the tender for the 1601, which I believe is prototypically incorrect. However, I understand the catalog pictures should not be relied on.     

A couple more points on the MTH catalog for these models. Catalog indicates the unit measures 29" in length. The prototypes were 125' 8" in length. Since the models are 1:48 scale, they should actually be about 31.5" in length (31.42). I assume they will be manufactured at the correct scale length.  Also, the catalog states the C&O No. 1618 resides at the B&O museum. Actually, the C&0 No. 1604 resides at the B&O museum and the 1618 did not survive. 

It would be nice to assume that scale models will be full scale.  I would caution against making that assumption - ever put a micrometer on a scale cylinder block?

The real 1601 has been sitting in the museum since the 1950's, with the logo in the upper front corners of the tender.

That is true, but if you are modeling the early to mid 1950s, then the model should NOT have those "C&O for Progress" donut logos. The C&O painted the 1601 that way since that was the logo of that time period, i.e. late 1950s.

That's correct, the H-8 No. 1601 was delivered in Dec 1941 with no logo on the upper front corner of the tender. Sounds like the logo was applied in the late 1950's. All Alleghenies were delivered between 1941 and 1948 and that logo was never used. It's all well documented in Huddleston's book.

John, do yourself a favor and buy a copy of "Allegheny Lima's Finest" by Huddleston and

Dixon. Ron's or Amazon may have it. Excellent source, good reading if you are a fan of 

Lima Super Power - and who isn't?

The differences among the C&O locos was slight; the Virginian AG near-copies differed

slightly externally (sand domes, stoker engine location, tender size - the VGN tenders

were a bit taller toward the back, as they held more water, I think).

When you get the book, you can start changing your model to be more accurate...!

That's what model railroading is all about, y'know.

D500 has an excellent suggestion. The one major visual "spotting feature" between the earlier and later C&O h-8s is, the "over-fire canisters" on either side of the of the firebox. That book will give the road number break as to "earlier" vs. "later" locomotives.

John, Mike just called me and confirmed the above reason I took a guess at.  He wanted to honor both locomotives that exist today.

But,,,,,ONLY the 1601 AND the 1604 EXIST TODAY! So, what is the story behind the 1618, item #20-3504-1 (on page 80 & 81 of the new 2013 Vol 2 catalog)?

If Mike is really going to offer ANOTHER C&O H-8 road number, I may just have to purchase a third one! 

Thanks Marty, sounds like I can just choose based on cab No. and there will be no other differences in the models.  As Hot Water points out the 1618 was scrapped, so I'm not sure about Mike's explanation but I'm glad MTH is manufacturing them!