STEAMday Sunday: 5/26/2024 Memorial Day Weekend Edition

From this week’s pics…….a TMCC/Odyssey New York Central Hudson from the early aughts…..5444…..

Have a great and safe week, everyone!

Peter

My steamer for today is Boston & Maine #617 – an MTH Railking model (30-1184-1) of a USRA 0-8-0 switcher. The model operates conventionally and was delivered in 2001 with PS2 at MSRP $399.95.

Boston & Maine #617 was one of twenty-two Class H-2-a 0-8-0 switchers built for the B&M by Alco Schenectady in 1922. It was sold to the Maine Central Railroad in 1946.

Video shows the engine and train running at 26 miles-per-hour on my 10’-by-5’ layout.

MELGAR

Good morning, steam fans and thanks again, Arnold, for getting us rolling.

In honor of our fallen veterans, I’m going to the archives for my custom military train.  New Haven 0-6-0 no. 2334 is seen hauling a train of military vehicles destined for Fort Devens from NH’s South Worcester, MA yards.  No. 2334 will deliver the train to Boston & Maine’s North Worcester yard, where B&M will take over the train up the Ayer branch to Devens.

John

Earlier this week, Forum Member Jim Mainline Steam visited with his handsome K-line passenger cars. Here they are behind MTH Sante Fe 2-10-4 wheeling through Maybrook New York on the New Haven section of my layout.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WyWnym3ksv8twUES6

Thanks so much Arnold for getting us started today!   I love your new steam locomotive!!

Here's a video of my Williams brass camelback pulling the Brewer's Limited.  

Here is one of MPC's classic 2-4-2 locomotives from 1988.  Its the Great Northern, #18601.  Here she is in a picture so you can see her livery and detail and then I have a video of her in operation.

Best Wishes

Don

Here's a few more pics, taken over the years,  of various steam locomotives on my layout.

C&O 0-8-0 switcher stops at the WM tower for orders. This is a Lionel scale engine with TMCC.  Super reliable and fun to operate.  I bought this engine brand new on a deep discount sale back around 2005/6.  

C&O number 75 ( same engine as above ) back up.  

B&O Docksider steams it up on the Mountain Division.  This is an MTH RailKing model which I bought on the Bay ( pre owned ) and it too is super reliable.

An original Williams Crown Edition all brass scale Camelback which I bought brand new off the Bay in 2015.  I very reliable model with bronze gearing.  

Side view with engineer.

A Lionel scale model of a Western Maryland Consolidation number 729 with TMCC.    I pre ordered this model back in the mid 2000s.  It's been a very reliable model with puffing smoke.  On the prototype WMR number 729 was classified at an H7 and was built 1910/11 by Baldwin Locomotive Works.  WMR purchased 36 H7 Consolidations  and all were retired between 1936-1951.  Interesting note:  Two Maryland railroads ( roads that owned real property in the state ) were the first and last to fully dieselize.  Western Maryland was the first and N&W was the last.  

An early morning once over by the service crew.

@trumpettrain posted:

Here's a few more pics, taken over the years,  of various steam locomotives on my layout.

C&O 0-8-0 switcher stops at the WM tower for orders. This is a Lionel scale engine with TMCC.  Super reliable and fun to operate.  I bought this engine brand new on a deep discount sale back around 2005/6.  

C&O number 75 ( same engine as above ) back up.

B&O Docksider steams it up on the Mountain Division.  This is an MTH RailKing model which I bought on the Bay ( pre owned ) and it too is super reliable.

An original Williams Crown Edition all brass scale Camelback which I bought brand new off the Bay in 2015.  I very reliable model with bronze gearing.  

Side view with engineer.

A Lionel scale model of a Western Maryland Consolidation number 729 with TMCC.    I pre ordered this model back in the mid 2000s.  It's been a very reliable model with puffing smoke.  On the prototype WMR number 729 was classified at an H7 and was built 1910/11 by Baldwin Locomotive Works.  WMR purchased 36 H7 Consolidations  and all were retired between 1936-1951.  Interesting note:  Two Maryland railroads ( roads that owned real property in the state ) were the first and last to fully dieselize.  Western Maryland was the first and N&W was the last.  

An early morning once over by the service crew.

Nice looking locomotives, thanks for the history.

Gene

MTH, Rail King 4-8-2 Northern steam locomotive is just out of the Great Northeastern Railway's (GNR) paint shop wearing its new, GNR logo on its tender and is showing of for the camera. Since I cannot seem to get the video to imbed in the text of this post, the link to the video is below so it can be view in YouTube.

GNR Engine (youtube.com)

Patrick, I like your WM no. 729.  I bought my NYC consolidation no. 1149 about the same time as you and it’s always been a reliable runner.

Lionel has produced this engine in many road names and with several different tenders, up to the present day.  Your 729 is the first I’ve seen with the same tender as my 1149.  I’ve always wondered what the prototype is for this tender;  I don’t think it’s a NYC tender.

John

I quick video of 4449 in AFT colors.

MTH.

@Steam Crazy posted:

Patrick, I like your WM no. 729.  I bought my NYC consolidation no. 1149 about the same time as you and it’s always been a reliable runner.

Lionel has produced this engine in many road names and with several different tenders, up to the present day.  Your 729 is the first I’ve seen with the same tender as my 1149.  I’ve always wondered what the prototype is for this tender;  I don’t think it’s a NYC tender.

John

John,

I can't answer your question about the tender's prototype, but I believe that Lionel's prototype for your engine is a Harriman 2-8-0, also known as a Common Standard Consolidation of the "Associated Railroads" which included Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Chicago & Alton, and others. A drawing of the locomotive - Union Pacific 6201 - appears on page 50 of "Model Railroader Cyclopedia - Volume 1 - Steam Locomotives" by Linn H. Westcott. It has a Vanderbilt tender.

Here's a photo of my New York Central 2-8-0 #960. I think the engine is same as yours, but the tender looks more like New York Central.

MELGAR

A day late but....I was planning to share my new addition to the fleet running the rails this week.......but........

I recently picked up a Lionel Legacy LIRR 4-4-2 E6s Atlantic from @leapinlarry. I really excited to own the engine and Larry offered it to me at a very reasonable price. It's from his late friends collection so how could I say no. Lionel released this model in the 2017 Vol I catalog.

I've been looking for a small LIRR steamer for a while and this fit the bill....or so I thought. Rated for 031 curves, I took a chance since most 031 engines will run on my 027 layout. This one will not though, the pilot truck jumps the track about a third of the way into a curve.
So I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'll have to build a proper display for it until I can build a larger layout to run it on.

The Atlantic class steamer was designed and built by the Pennsylvania RR at the Juniata Shops. The engines proved to be very reliable and could maintain track speeds between 50-75 mph pulling a 9 car train. A total of 83 locomotives were built. The LIRR leased 26 E6s from the PRR and the last one was retired in 1949.

My model #1611 was an actual engine that was run by the LIRR.

Bob

Thats an EM-1 pulling a string of reefers

@RSJB18 posted:

A day late but....I was planning to share my new addition to the fleet running the rails this week.......but........

I recently picked up a Lionel Legacy LIRR 4-4-2 E6s Atlantic from @leapinlarry. I really excited to own the engine and Larry offered it to me at a very reasonable price. It's from his late friends collection so how could I say no. Lionel released this model in the 2017 Vol I catalog.

I've been looking for a small LIRR steamer for a while and this fit the bill....or so I thought. Rated for 031 curves, I took a chance since most 031 engines will run on my 027 layout. This one will not though, the pilot truck jumps the track about a third of the way into a curve.
So I'm happy and sad at the same time. I'll have to build a proper display for it until I can build a larger layout to run it on.

The Atlantic class steamer was designed and built by the Pennsylvania RR at the Juniata Shops. The engines proved to be very reliable and could maintain track speeds between 50-75 mph pulling a 9 car train. A total of 83 locomotives were built. The LIRR leased 26 E6s from the PRR and the last one was retired in 1949.

My model #1611 was an actual engine that was run by the LIRR.

Bob

Bob,

Very nice engine. I have a PRR version by MTH.

Try placing the engine on your O-27 curve and check whether the front and rear trucks can pivot sufficiently to make the curve. If they do, maybe you could try a stiffer spring atop the pilot truck and also check the alignment of the track sections on the curve. Sorry to see you disappointed with an engine you would like to run - especially LIRR.

MELGAR

@MELGAR posted:

Bob,

Very nice engine. I have a PRR version by MTH.

Try placing the engine on your O-27 curve and check whether the front and rear trucks can pivot sufficiently to make the curve. If they do, maybe you could try a stiffer spring atop the pilot truck and also check the alignment of the track sections on the curve. Sorry to see you disappointed with an engine you would like to run - especially LIRR.

MELGAR

I plan to take another shot at running it Mel. I've just been too busy to spend much time at the layout or bench lately. A stiffer spring was my first thought too if the swing of the truck is adequate.
Can't keep a good man or engine down.

Thanks

Mel and Bob, I have an E6s too, the MTH PRR model.  It runs fine on my O31 loop, but I usually run it on my O42 loop so I can pull my MTH PRR Madison passenger cars.

Hmmm…you guys have provided inspiration for my next StDaySun post!

John

I was going through some old directories and found this one placed in the wrong folder.  A Weaver G1sa Pacific.  Of all of my Weaver steam locomotives, this one has always stood out for its graceful lines and exceptional detailing.  I had plans to repaint it for CNJ, but who knows.  It looks good the way it is too.

I also found an old photo of a Railking CNJ Pacific.  The smoke unit has an issue where the smoke comes out the bottom until it warms up.  I assume a loose seal or something, but the effect is dramatic in this image.

@Steam Crazy posted:

Lionel has produced this engine in many road names and with several different tenders, up to the present day.  Your 729 is the first I’ve seen with the same tender as my 1149.  I’ve always wondered what the prototype is for this tender;  I don’t think it’s a NYC tender.

John

@RSJB18 posted:

The Atlantic class steamer was designed and built by the Pennsylvania RR at the Juniata Shops.

Bob

@Steam Crazy,

John,

Is this the answer to your question about the prototype of your NYC 2-8-0's tender? The tender on @RSJB18's PRR Atlantic looks the same as the one on your NYC 2-8-0.

MELGAR

Mel, good catch!  I didn't notice that.  It seems likely the LIRR/PRR tender is the prototype, although it looks a bit longer.  Let's hope we see Bob's engine in action soon!

John

NEW YORK CENTRAL A-2  by MTH poses for still photo. Then it is shown pulling freight.

I think this STEAMday Sunday was quite prolific in the number of posts contributed. Thanks to all who made that happen. Arnold

@ctr posted:

NEW YORK CENTRAL A-2  by MTH poses for still photo. Then it is shown pulling freight.

Don't you mean a P&LE A2a!!!!

RON

Arnold, thanks to your leadership, I would say we have a good head of steam!

John

@ctr posted:

NEW YORK CENTRAL A-2  by MTH poses for still photo. Then it is shown pulling freight.

They're rare, then they're everywhere. Strangely, I took this photo today before I saw your A2 post.

Green Berkshire on an Alabama bayou; must have been some wild dispatching moment on the P&LE. But - the shrimp are bound to be fresh. (This loco has been converted to ERR/Railsounds, as an FYI.)

@Steam Crazy posted:

Arnold, thanks to your leadership, I would say we have a good head of steam!

John

Thanks John.

Here's an interesting question: how many of you folks think that steam locomotives are your favorite type of locomotives?

I'm torn about this.

Now, I believe steamers are my favorites (it's a close call because I love diesels and electrics too) but steamers weren't my favorites when I was a child.

I was a train nut starting at the age of two when I ran a Lionel 2065 baby Hudson (an ideal locomotive for a child because it's so indestructible) around the Christmas tree powered by a ZW, under my father's supervision, of course. (He would put his L&M cigarettes in my automatic log dump car, and I, of course, pressed the button to dump them).

I would say my favorite locomotive as a child was one I didn't have: a Lionel New Haven EP5 in McGinnis livery. My mother and I would take the real New Haven train powered by that locomotive from Mt. Vernon, NY to Grand Central Station in NYC.

Oh, and the Pennsy GG1 out of Penn Station in NYC would be tied with the New Haven EP5. That GG1 was awesome.

My 2nd favorites would be diesels, either NY Central or Pennsy in Tuscan red.

In essence, as a child I preferred the electrics and diesels, which I didn't have, more than the steamers that I did have.

Now, I have it all, so I don't crave acquiring anything. With that mind set, the steamers edge out the electrics and diesels fir me at this time.

How about you? Are the steamers your favorites? If so, why? If not, what is your favorite type of locomotive and why?

Arnold

@GG1 4877 posted:

I also found an old photo of a Railking CNJ Pacific.  The smoke unit has an issue where the smoke comes out the bottom until it warms up.  I assume a loose seal or something, but the effect is dramatic in this image.

@GG1 4877:

The problem with your locomotive's smoke unit is most probably that the smoke fan blower motor has died or has become disconnected. I recently purchased a locomotive with that exact problem. The seller stood by his product and fixed it for me at no extra charge.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Here's an interesting question: how many of you folks think that steam locomotives are your favorite type of locomotives?

Arnold

Arnold,

Although I like all types, steam locomotives are my favorites. Electrics and diesels have many advantages but I don't think they're as impressive as steam.

I think that people regard steam locomotives as old, outdated, and polluters, but I don't think there is a general awareness of the sophisticated engineering to design and build them - including kinematics, dynamics, thermodynamics, stress and structural analysis, materials and manufacturing. As far as I'm concerned, steam locomotives represent the pinnacle of mechanical engineering, but I wouldn't want to see them back in service on today's railroads due to the environmental damage they would do.

In the model railroad world, we can enjoy seeing "steam locomotives" without the adverse effects... And so, I find model steamers much more interesting than diesels and electrics.

MELGAR

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thanks John.

Here's an interesting question: how many of you folks think that steam locomotives are your favorite type of locomotives?

I'm torn about this.

Now, I believe steamers are my favorites (it's a close call because I love diesels and electrics too) but steamers weren't my favorites when I was a child.

I was a train nut starting at the age of two when I ran a Lionel 2065 baby Hudson (an ideal locomotive for a child because it's so indestructible) around the Christmas tree powered by a ZW, under my father's supervision, of course. (He would put his L&M cigarettes in my automatic log dump car, and I, of course, pressed the button to dump them).

I would say my favorite locomotive as a child was one I didn't have: a Lionel New Haven EP5 in McGinnis livery. My mother and I would take the real New Haven train powered by that locomotive from Mt. Vernon, NY to Grand Central Station in NYC.

Oh, and the Pennsy GG1 out of Penn Station in NYC would be tied with the New Haven EP5. That GG1 was awesome.

My 2nd favorites would be diesels, either NY Central or Pennsy in Tuscan red.

In essence, as a child I preferred the electrics and diesels, which I didn't have, more than the steamers that I did have.

Now, I have it all, so I don't crave acquiring anything. With that mind set, the steamers edge out the electrics and diesels fir me at this time.

How about you? Are the steamers your favorites? If so, why? If not, what is your favorite type of locomotive and why?

Arnold

Interesting question Arnold!   My childhood experience pretty much aligns with yours.    As a child I too liked what I didn't have ... GG1s, EP5,  FM Virginian Train Master, Santa Fe F3, GP9s, and RS3.  I also liked the Pennsy 6-4-6 steam turbine and the N&W J class 4-8-4.  However, given my choice, as a kid I would have definitely gone for an electric or a diesel locomotive in a heart beat.  

Like you, my first locomotive at age 4 was the 2065 baby Hudson.  As you know, I still have that engine and it's in fine operational condition too!  I'm thrilled that I've kept it all these year because I LOVE it now.  Plus it's a special connection to my childhood, parents, and all the rest of my family and friends that came to our open house on Christmas day.   Of course right after my Mom's Christmas tree which was a true work of art .. mine and my brother's train layout was a co- centerpiece of our family Christmastimes.  Everyone who came to our house adored my Mom's Christmas tree artistry and they also loved to watch the trains run.  The train layout ( 8x8)  was set up in my brother's and my bedroom during the holiday season only.  After the holiday the tables and train were stored away until the following holiday season.  

Finally when I was in 5th grade I got my first set of diesels .. Lionel ALCO FA Santa Fe warbonnet AA diesels built for 027 track.  They were cheaply made and pulling power was not great but hey ... I now owned diesels ... and I was thrilled!!    The Lionel postwar F units were of far superior quality.     I still have those Santa Fe ALCO FA units too and in good working order.  

Now as a well seasoned adult ( LOL!! ) ,  I would have to say I'm more fascinated by the steam locomotives.  I guess because of the running gear, smoke and whistles.  The whistles of modern steam locos vary from  loco to  loco, giving each locomotive its' own distinct personality.  

Even whenever I'm in the presence of a real working steam locomotive, such as when visiting Strasburg, I can't help but smile from ear to ear when it arrives at the station platform.  I'm just in awe of the clockwork synchronization of all those moving parts, much like a mechanical symphony orchestra.  A symphony may have 80 - 100 musicians playing their instruments in total synchronization with one another.  

Currently my new scale Lionel B&O P7 Pacific ( the President Harrison ) is my favorite locomotive!  I just love operating it and what a terrific whistle ... plus it's' visually gorgeous IMHO!!  Running this locomotive with a passenger consist that includes a B&O heavy weight stations sound diner is a ton of fun for me!  Such fabulous entertainment!  

Of course I greatly enjoy all my modern diesels too!   As I model the transition era, I love the variety of diesel locomotive designs that prototype, and later model, manufactures were creating ...   the FM Train Master and the H-10-44, ALCO RS1 ( the first honorary diesel powered steam locomotive ) RS3, EMD F units & Geeps, ALCO FA and PA units.   The GG1 electric, boxcab electrics, P5 a modified,   the Bi polars of the Great Northern, and so many more in both the electric and diesel arenas.  

Patrick, we have so much in common, but one advantage you has over me was a much bigger childhood layout. My father would not tolerate anything bigger than a layout that would fit on a 4 by 8 foot plywood board. I would have loved having an 8 foot by 8 foot childhood layout like yours.

So, what do I have now? A 35 foot by anywhere from 3 feet to 8 feet, depending on the location. My father would think I was insane for having such a big layout. Truth is, he's right, LOL, but it's fun to be a little crazy like most of us Forumites.

Getting back to steamers, as you already know, Patrick, I also have my original Lionel 2065 Hudson in good working order like yours. Mine took a few childhood dives off the train table during my childhood so it has a few nicks.

A few years ago, when I saw a pristine 2065 in like new condition at my local hobby shop at reasonable price, I had to have it. So, now I have two 2065s. I don't run them much because I have steamers with much better detail, speed control and much better bells and whistles, but I will run them soon.

Maybe I'll post photos and videos showing my 2065s during next week's STEAMday Sunday. Arnold

Well, Arnold, Patrick and Mel, I guess I can’t hide my preference, Steam Crazy says it all, right?  I don’t think anything is more fascinating than a steam engine, with it’s billowing smoke, big driving wheels and flashing rods.  I like steamers with a black, industrial look too; I think the brightly painted 19th century engines are cute, but I don’t find them real interesting.  I also prefer small to moderately sized engines rather than behemoths like a Big Boy.

You’ve seen from my posts I also enjoy collecting and running diesels.  I don’t have a lot of interest in electrics other than the NH EP-5 due to it’s great styling and attractive paint scheme (I have the MTH model, which I ruin with pantographs down because it’s running on a third rail!).  You may be surprised to learn the last five engines I’ve bought are diesels, but that’s mostly for economic reasons.  I can’t justify the big bucks for new steamers - even if I can afford it - so I’m laying back and waiting for bargains on lightly used engines.  You won’t see me posting “hey, I got the new Lionel catalog today and I’ve ordered one of everything”!

Where I differ from you guys is my preference as a boy.  I had only diesels ( including the beautiful Santa Fe F3 no. 2343, so I wasn’t deprived and I still have it) to run on my 6’x8’ layout, so I was dying to get steam engines.  I still felt that way when I got back in the hobby in 2002, so a lot of my initial purchases were steam engines.

I’ll look forward to the next edition of StDaySun.  Happy steaming!

John

@Steam Crazy posted:

Well, Arnold, Patrick and Mel, I guess I can’t hide my preference, Steam Crazy says it all, right?  I don’t think anything is more fascinating than a steam engine, with it’s billowing smoke, big driving wheels and flashing rods.

You may be surprised to learn the last five engines I’ve bought are diesels, but that’s mostly for economic reasons.  I can’t justify the big bucks for new steamers - even if I can afford it - so I’m laying back and waiting for bargains on lightly used engines.  You won’t see me posting “hey, I got the new Lionel catalog today and I’ve ordered one of everything”!

..............

I’ll look forward to the next edition of StDaySun.  Happy steaming!

John

@Steam Crazy,

John,

Same also applies to me. I prefer to run small and mid-size steam locomotives. They look better on my layouts and to me they are just as interesting as the big ones. I have examples of the big steamers bought years ago but don't run them because they're too large for the layouts. And, although I could afford new ones, current prices for the large ones are higher than I'm willing to pay. But I continue to buy mid-priced MTH, Lionel, and Atlas O steamers. I also agree with your comments about "billowing smoke, big driving wheels ... flashing rods and ... a black, industrial look." To that I would add the sound of a steam whistle and chugging.

I should also add my thanks to Arnold @Arnold D. Cribari, for having revived Steamday Sunday. I think it's a topic that should be a weekly item on the Forum.

MELGAR

Thanks, John and Mel, for your remarks about steamers verses diesels and electrics.

Small steamers are my very favorites. These include 10 wheeler and B6 steamers. I will hunt down a photo or video of these small steamers and post them later. Arnold