• Custom Electronic Control & Sound System Synced to each Engine

• Nickel Silver Rods and Valve-Gear

Although the majority of prototypes in the class were built prior to or during World War II, we have chosen to model the class as they appeared at the end of the war and later. Substantial internal and outward changes were made to all thirty-five locomotives built leading up to the wars end and were subsequently included in the production of the last eight locos ordered at the end of the decade. Many of the changes made which were critical to performance were not readily visible, alterations to the crown sheets, brake control equipment and driver bearings among them, but the change to a cast pilot and rebuilt tenders provided a more modern appearance for the entire class. This fine tuning of the existing thirty-five locos and incorporation of the new standards into the final new production yielded a class of locomotives which few could equal.

Deciding what versions of this prototype class to include in our project was complicated by the fact that there were very distinct differences between the locos in the production groups and there were three different tenders used with these locomotives. There are elevation drawings provided for the three tender types and they may be viewed by clicking HERE. It was ultimately decided to offer nine versions incorporating the major characteristics listed below. In addition to these major characteristics, there will be minor variations within each version offered, items such as steam and signal lines, the inclusion of steam heat on some tender 'dog houses' and other detailing that is consistent with each prototype production order. The 'A' tank (auxiliary tender) offered will be a different variation than previously offered with our Norfolk & Western Y6b project, an elevation view of the new version can be seen HERE.

(Click on the version number below to see a representative prototype photo for each of our planned versions)

Version #1: Road numbers 1200-1209 (excluding 1203 & 1206), equipped with 'Multiple-bearing' crossheads, slab rods with friction bearings and an 'H' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks.

Version #2: Road numbers 1215-1234 (excluding 1223), equipped with 'Alligator' crossheads, slab rods with friction bearings and a 'C' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks.

Version #3: Road numbers 1235-1237, equipped with 'Alligator' crossheads, slab rods with friction bearings and an 'I' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks.

Version #4: Road numbers 1238-1242, equipped with 'Alligator' crossheads, Timken roller-bearing rods and an 'I' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks.

Version #5: (limited production): Road Number 1226 equipped with 'Alligator' crossheads, slab rods with friction bearings and a 'C' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks, plus a unique developmental after-cooler coil arrangement attached outside the boiler lagging. This additional equipment provides an exstensive amount of unique highly visible detailing.

Version #6: (limited production): Road number 1239, equipped with 'Alligator' crossheads, Timken roller-bearing rods and an 'I' class tender running on Commonwealth trucks. An additional feature included on this version is a Westinghouse aftercooler mounted on the front pilot along with all related detailing.