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I've been looking around and noticed a lack of scale Southern Pacific steam locomotives. The GS class 4-8-4 locomotives are well represented from both Lionel and MTH (I own a MTH Premier GS4 Northern), as well as the AC-6 & AC-12 4-8-8-2 Cab Forwards and AC-9 2-8-8-4. Those articulateds are too big for my layout and I don't have much interest in a GS2 or GS6, as they are very similar to the GS4 I already own. The only other scale Southern Pacific steam locomotives I've found that have been produced in 3 rail are from Lionel, a 2-8-0 made in TMCC in the early 00's and Legacy in the past couple years, and a 4-4-2.

I'd like to add another Southern Pacific steam locomotive to my collection at some point but the size locomotive I'm looking for doesn't appear to have been made in 3 rail. I'd like something smaller than a GS class Northern but larger than a 2-8-0 Consolidation. Something like a 2-8-2, 2-8-4, or 4-8-2 that will run on 054 no problem and look good on the head of a freight train. Any recommendations to look for in the future? I prefer either TMCC or DCS equipped, but have no problem upgrading something if necessary. Biggest thing is that whatever model it is has to run on 054 curves, and be scale sized. 

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breezinup posted:

There's this 11388 Lionel Legacy Southern Pacific Berkshire. Probably fit your bill pretty well. One is on Ebay now.

I've seen those before. I'm not a huge fan of their looks. They are also not original design Southern Pacific locomotives, but bought surplus during WWII. I'd prefer a Southern Pacific original designed locomotive, like a MT-4 or MT-5 4-8-2 Mountain, or something along those lines. I should have been more specific about that. If anyone knows or has a list of scale Southern Pacific steam locomotives that have been made in 3 rail O I'd appreciate seeing it.

bob2 posted:

All of the models you name have been done in scale 3-rail by Sunset.  The only ones not done in 3-rail are early Harriman Pacifics and Harriman ten- wheelers.

I am working on a 2-rail ten- wheeler this evening.  It will be #4 on my roster, but 17/64, not 1/4" scale.

Sunset/3rd Rail produced a 4-8-2 MT-4 and a 2-8-2? That's good to know. I bet they are going to be hard to find when I start seriously looking for one...

Your requirement to run on O54 makes your search difficult.  Scale size engines generally need at least O72 to run properly.  I have seen some get around O63 curves OK but never O54.

Check on eBay or at train shows for 3rd Rail SP steam engines.  They are all scale.  3rd Rail made a SP 2-6-0 and a 4-8-2 and perhaps some other small SP engines.  These engines all came with TMCC.  I have the 4-8-2.  It is an excellent engine that runs well.   3rd Rail also made SP Cab Forwards, AC-9,   GS-4 and a 4-10-2.   NH Joe

New Haven Joe posted:

Your requirement to run on O54 makes your search difficult.  Scale size engines generally need at least O72 to run properly.  I have seen some get around O63 curves OK but never O54.

Check on eBay or at train shows for 3rd Rail SP steam engines.  They are all scale.  3rd Rail made a SP 2-6-0 and a 4-8-2 and perhaps some other small SP engines.  These engines all came with TMCC.  I have the 4-8-2.  It is an excellent engine that runs well.   3rd Rail also made SP Cab Forwards, AC-9,   GS-4 and a 4-10-2.   NH Joe

My MTH Premier Southern Pacific GS4, Santa Fe 3460 class Hudson, and Santa Fe 5011 class Texas all go around 054 without issue. I have a line with 072 curves, but run passenger trains on it, running freight trains on the 054 line. A cab forward or AC-9 is too large for that line, hence my search for something smaller than a 4-8-4 to run there (although the 2-10-4 does fine). It looks like 3rd Rail's model of the MT-4/5 4-8-2 has a minimum radius of 054. So if I'm ever able to find one when I start looking in several months that seems like a good candidate. 

Yes several months from now I'll be looking. It's summer. I have outside things to do now that the weather is nice (driving my old Ford Thunderbird for one). I'd have to add some more storage on my layout before I could consider buying something else, and that's a fall/winter project. Right now the most I do now that the weather is nice is run trains on a rainy day.

bob2 posted:

He said he wanted bigger - a 2-8-2 or 4-8-2.  No sweat - Sunset made a lot of them.  When ready, advertise!  I have never failed, looking for rare O scale locomotives.  I have two of maybe 12 existing Lobaugh Cab Forwards - all I did was advertise.

Oh yea, you're right. I just re-read his initial post...   

A long time ago, I was painting a house close by that was owned by a widow; in the living room was an O scale SP 4-8-2 that she said her husband had built back in the '50's. It was one of those with the streamlining over the top of the boiler, and was a marvel to look at. Her son was going to get it when the time came.

This was before cellphones, and so I never got a picture...

EDIT: I just found a conversation that took place here in 2015 that was kinda along these same lines; if I knew how to, I'd post the link to it. Bob2 posted a picture of a fantastic SP Mike... 

Mark in Oregon

Last edited by Strummer
Lou1985 posted:
New Haven Joe posted:

Your requirement to run on O54 makes your search difficult.  Scale size engines generally need at least O72 to run properly.  I have seen some get around O63 curves OK but never O54.

Check on eBay or at train shows for 3rd Rail SP steam engines.  They are all scale.  3rd Rail made a SP 2-6-0 and a 4-8-2 and perhaps some other small SP engines.  These engines all came with TMCC.  I have the 4-8-2.  It is an excellent engine that runs well.   3rd Rail also made SP Cab Forwards, AC-9,   GS-4 and a 4-10-2.   NH Joe

My MTH Premier Southern Pacific GS4, Santa Fe 3460 class Hudson, and Santa Fe 5011 class Texas all go around 054 without issue. I have a line with 072 curves, but run passenger trains on it, running freight trains on the 054 line. A cab forward or AC-9 is too large for that line, hence my search for something smaller than a 4-8-4 to run there (although the 2-10-4 does fine). It looks like 3rd Rail's model of the MT-4/5 4-8-2 has a minimum radius of 054. So if I'm ever able to find one when I start looking in several months that seems like a good candidate. 

Yes several months from now I'll be looking. It's summer. I have outside things to do now that the weather is nice (driving my old Ford Thunderbird for one). I'd have to add some more storage on my layout before I could consider buying something else, and that's a fall/winter project. Right now the most I do now that the weather is nice is run trains on a rainy day.

I've seen the Lionel Pennsy 2-10-4 cab overhang strike things though the most offensive for double mainline clearance issues seem to be UP Challengers & Big Boys. They have horrible boiler overhang, must be something in the design.

What year Thunderbird? Saw a beautiful blue 1963 Sport Roadster last fall.

Norton posted:

Besides the ones mentioned 3rd Rail has done an MK-5 2-8-2 and  P-8 and P-10 4-6-2s. Both should run on 054. Plus many more smaller engines.

 

Pete

Thanks. It's good to know that there are a few options when I start searching. Do you happen to know if the 2-8-2 & 4-6-2 were produced with TMCC? I know the 4-8-2 was. If not I can always upgrade them to TMCC or DCS.

BobbyD posted:
Lou1985 posted:
New Haven Joe posted:

Your requirement to run on O54 makes your search difficult.  Scale size engines generally need at least O72 to run properly.  I have seen some get around O63 curves OK but never O54.

Check on eBay or at train shows for 3rd Rail SP steam engines.  They are all scale.  3rd Rail made a SP 2-6-0 and a 4-8-2 and perhaps some other small SP engines.  These engines all came with TMCC.  I have the 4-8-2.  It is an excellent engine that runs well.   3rd Rail also made SP Cab Forwards, AC-9,   GS-4 and a 4-10-2.   NH Joe

My MTH Premier Southern Pacific GS4, Santa Fe 3460 class Hudson, and Santa Fe 5011 class Texas all go around 054 without issue. I have a line with 072 curves, but run passenger trains on it, running freight trains on the 054 line. A cab forward or AC-9 is too large for that line, hence my search for something smaller than a 4-8-4 to run there (although the 2-10-4 does fine). It looks like 3rd Rail's model of the MT-4/5 4-8-2 has a minimum radius of 054. So if I'm ever able to find one when I start looking in several months that seems like a good candidate. 

Yes several months from now I'll be looking. It's summer. I have outside things to do now that the weather is nice (driving my old Ford Thunderbird for one). I'd have to add some more storage on my layout before I could consider buying something else, and that's a fall/winter project. Right now the most I do now that the weather is nice is run trains on a rainy day.

I've seen the Lionel Pennsy 2-10-4 cab overhang strike things though the most offensive for double mainline clearance issues seem to be UP Challengers & Big Boys. They have horrible boiler overhang, must be something in the design.

What year Thunderbird? Saw a beautiful blue 1963 Sport Roadster last fall.

Surprisingly my Santa Fe 2-10-4 has less overhang than my Southern Pacific 4-8-4 on 054. Something to do with the wheelbase probably. 

As far as Thunderbirds go I have an 88 5.0 V8 car. First car I ever bought. It looks stock but the engine, transmission, driveline, rear axle, brakes, suspension, and chassis have all been extensively modified. It's a sleeper. 

20170626_09580020170605_173140

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daylight posted:

Hello Lou1985

I may have exactly what you are looking and very rare.

It's a Southern Pacific AM-2 Cab Forward that is new and never has been run.

Manufactured by Sunset 3rd rail.  Vary rare and never has been done in 3 rail by any other manuf to the best of my knowledge.

It has Lionel TMCC, sound and synchronized smoke.

This is one of the most highly detailed engines that they have ever produced.

Here is a picture for reference.  You may reach me at b.zuccala@comcast.net or my home phone 724-4327-098.

Bart Zuccala (daylight) on this forum.6835458649_dd210df24f_b[1]

 

Thanks for the offer. Right now I'm trying to compile a list of what scale Southern Pacific steam has been made in 3 rail that will go around a 054 curve. I don't have the space or budget for another locomotive quite yet and won't till probably the October/November time frame. I may drop you a line if it is still available around that time frame. 

Lou1985 posted:
daylight posted:

Hello Lou1985

I may have exactly what you are looking and very rare.

It's a Southern Pacific AM-2 Cab Forward that is new and never has been run.

Manufactured by Sunset 3rd rail.  Vary rare and never has been done in 3 rail by any other manuf to the best of my knowledge.

It has Lionel TMCC, sound and synchronized smoke.

This is one of the most highly detailed engines that they have ever produced.

Here is a picture for reference.  You may reach me at b.zuccala@comcast.net or my home phone 724-4327-098.

Bart Zuccala (daylight) on this forum.6835458649_dd210df24f_b[1]

 

Thanks for the offer. Right now I'm trying to compile a list of what scale Southern Pacific steam has been made in 3 rail that will go around a 054 curve. I don't have the space or budget for another locomotive quite yet and won't till probably the October/November time frame. I may drop you a line if it is still available around that time frame. 

Thank you for your quick response.  This engine will run on 054 according to the manual.  I am in no hurry to sell.

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