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| In last month’s editorial, I alluded to Trevithick’s steam locomotive of 1804, credited with being the first railroad locomotive ever built. I also mentioned Old Maude, another first in 1904. The centennial of the latter and the bicentennial of the former will arrive in just a couple of years. There is enough time for model makers to crank out commemorative editions. | |
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There is a 1:26 plastic scale model of the the Trevithick locomotive. With careful assembly, it can be pushed along its track and the gears will turn while the single piston rod goes in and out. Unfortunately, it is not self-powered. Bachmann has produced HO reproductions of locomotives going back to the John Bull, which dates to around 1830. There has not ever been — to my knowledge — an operating scale model of the Trevithick machine. Such a product would possess an almost magical appeal, in large part due to the gears whirling around while the piston rod goes in and out to the back, pushing the tie beam back and forth. The entire thing should run to the melody of “Syncopated Clock.” |
| Trevithick’s locomotive was the first actual steam locomotive. | |
| Trevithick’s gizmo did not have flanges on its wheels; he had the flanges on the track! Undoubtedly this complicates things, but I would opt for flanges on the wheels in whatever scale the model was built. Obviously, due to my Large Scale propensities, I’d like to see it in 1:24. | |
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| Old Maude, B&O's #2400, was the first Mallet steam locomotive built in North America. | |
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Another area of model neglect is the double six-coupled articulated steam locomotive. The first successful articulated steam locomotive based on Anatole Mallet’s principle was B&O’s No. 2400, “Old Maude,” a product of Alco. She was an 0-6-6-0 specifically designed to serve as a helper on B&O’s “Sand Patch” grade where she performed admirably. Even as the railroads leapfrogged to the 0-8-8-0, 2-8-8-0, and 2-8-8-2, development continued among the double sixes, leading to the 2-6-6-0, and the 2-6-6-2, this last wheel arrangement accounting for more locomotives than any other articulated steam locomotive wheel arrangement. Many of the early double-sixes were built under boilers about the size of a Heavy Mikado.
In short, whoever builds a model of Old Maude is well on the way to an entire line of double-sixes. The best thing about them, in model railroading, is that they handle tight curves better than double-eights while providing plenty of articulated action. While models of double-eights generally have both engines swinging in order to traverse 18 inch radius curves (in HO scale), a double-six might just be able to turn that radius with the rear engine fixed in place. These two products help to remind us that dynamic-powered land transport — which reshaped our entire world — began in 1804, and the era of modern railroading began in 1904. We have a lot to celebrate, and models of these locomotives in every scale would be welcome party favors. |
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John Sipple Editor |
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| To respond to this month's Editorial, send comments to: Editorial@modelrailroadnews.com | |
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