Reading Company Russian decapods

Even more so, why they didn't offer the Russian decapod in Frisco.  There's only five of them still in existence and one of them is operational!

Yet they ran the same Santa Fe one (2556) twice...  Santa Fe only had 3 (ex KCNM&O) and they didn't last long.  Go figure.

Rusty

I am fascinated by this information. I live in Berks County so Reading is a big part of what I am into. Looks like the MTH version would need the bell moved. Otherwise for my sake, it would work! Sounds like a Harry Heike project to me to make it right.

Matt

The Russians were widespread.

The GM&O and the AT&N (Alabama, Tennessee and Northern) both had Russians. You could see them on both roads simultaneously in Mobile back in the day (before my time).  The GM&O has been a fairly popular road name in 3RO, especially from MTH. But - no GM&O Russians from Mike.

I re-lettered my MTH from...I don't remember...for the AT&N.

jhz563 - I am sure some Reading decals could be found.

(MTH) Pittsburg, Shawmut, and Northern.   

@D500 posted:

jhz563 - I am sure some Reading decals could be found.

I am sure you are right about that.   Although there are plenty of other changes in that picture.   The biggest ones I see immediately are the extensive handrails along the boiler,  and the pilot steps.

I’d love to see one of these as an MTH custom run!

@EricTrainMan posted:

I’d love to see one of these as an MTH custom run!

Considering they added whistle steam to the Pacific, I’d love to see it in the Decapod in Reading scheme. I’d definitely buy one!

@D500 posted:

The Russians were widespread.

The GM&O and the AT&N (Alabama, Tennessee and Northern) both had Russians. You could see them on both roads simultaneously in Mobile back in the day (before my time).  The GM&O has been a fairly popular road name in 3RO, especially from MTH. But - no GM&O Russians from Mike.

I tend to think of the Russians more as GM&N locos than as GM&O.  So far I don't believe anyone has done the USRA 0-6-0, 2-8-2 or 4-6-2 in the M&O or GM&O either.  When it comes to steam the only GM&O predecessor which seems to get attention is the Alton Pacific.

Edit:  I stand corrected.  They apparently did an 0-6-0 in GM&O as indicated below.

@Bill N posted:

I tend to think of the Russians more as GM&N locos than at GM&O.  So far I don't believe anyone has done the USRA 0-6-0, 2-8-2 or 4-6-2 in the M&O or GM&O either.  When it comes to steam the only GM&O predecessor which seems to get attention is the Alton Pacific.

Yeah, you are not far off. There are a few exceptions. I have also lettered/modeled/bashed a few GM&O steamers myself into some approximation of accuracy.

Most GM&O locos offered in 3RO have been diesels, though. Quite a few of them.

Weaver sold their Samhongsa brass USRA 0-6-0 in GM&O. I have one, now with cruise Commander installed. The "Alton Pacific" was also offered by MTH in its later GM&O post-Alton-purchase lettering, in both Premier and RK. Neither is actually accurate, as the P-16 Pacifics were not USRA designs, but it's a fair evocation. The 425 Pacific of the Blue Mountain RR is and ex-GM&N (later GM&O #580) loco, offered by everyone it seems, but never modeled correctly, either. The 425/580 is not a USRA loco.

I've veered off-topic, I'm afraid.