Small GN steam in brass

The M2 2-6-8-0's ran on the GN branch from Great Falls to Helena and Butte, MT, although a pretty heavy duty branch.  A fair amount of the traffic was copper concentrate for the smelter in Great Falls. Articulateds are capable of negotiating fairly tight curves. Also, M2's ran as mine switchers on the iron range. But the GN 4-6-0 and 4-6-2 are it, for small GN power in O scale. 

Jonny

Here are a few thoughts on your quest for smaller O scale GN Steam.

While it is not a true GN prototype and not in the Glacier Park scheme (a requirement for me) the MTH 20-3176-2 is a small locomotive requiring 42 inch radius curves with a Belpaire firebox.  Sooner or later MTH will have to run this with a light olive green boiler and hopefully a square GN herald on the tender.  When they do I'll get one.  They are good runners and would make great branch line power.

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/20-3176-2

The Weaver brass P-2 mountains are worth investigating.  I do not know if they would meet your radius requirement.  If they do one might be good as a medium/large locomotive for branch line service once diesels started bumping passenger power.

Finally, keep an eye on Ted Doyle's web site.  He has said the he is ready to start surplussing some equipment and has several unique GN locomotive models in 2 rail O scale.

http://www.gnflyer.com/Locos%20of%20EB.html

If you were considering an O-8, then you should give the GN M-2 a second look.  The M-2 is an articulated locomotive the size of an O-8.  It should be.  Many of the class gave up their articulation when they were converted to the O-7 class., which was the precursor to the O-8.

Regards,

GNNPNUT

The GN did get a few USRA heavy 2-8-2s, put under the O-3 class.  There might have been an importer who brought one in that would work on your track, ready for detailing.  I had a Sunset one myself many years ago that ran great.  The layout I ran on at the time used 48" so I don't know if it would work on a tighter radius.

I have a PFM 4-6-0 and it will easily negotiate my one 36" radius section.  It is a very smooth and quiet runner.  I might be willing to part with it for the right offer.........Peter