N-scale 4-10-2 Steamer

I am brand new at model railroading. I love the looks of a 4-10-2 steamer. I have tried to find one in N scale, but have been unsuccessful so far. Any ideas? They would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Bradley
Arlington, TX

I agree, Michael. I love the looks of the “Southern Pacific” type, a big, brawny puller. Only 60 of the 4-10-2 type were built. All had three cylinders, the third being in the middle, between the axles. Forty-nine of them were built for the Southern Pacific, and the type gets its name from that railroad. UP took ten, but called them the “Overland” type. Baldwin built number 60000, a special water tube boiler test vehicle that ended up on display at the Franklin Institute, where it remains today. No others were ever built, and these few lived and went to scrap on SP and UP respectively.

As such, this is a pretty low volume model, so if any have ever been built, they would probably have been constructed in brass. I know of no mass produced examples. Comments from readers are welcome, including knowledge of N-scale examples I may have missed or requests for some manufacturer to create the mighty 4-10-2 in 1:160 — Ed.

BLI Going Cheap?

I had to agree with the letter from Mr. S.D. Campbell from Pulaski, VA in the October issue. Here in my town we have a running 2-8-2 light Mikado. I had bought an Athearn 2-8-2 several years ago and detailed it as the real one here. After noticing that the BLI 2-8-2s were going for exceptional prices, I decided to buy one and do the detailing on it as I did on the Athearn model.

I had bought the BLI Hudson when it first came out and was anticipating being impressed with their version of the 2-8-2 since it is in the same Paragon series. As I opened the box, the model was not wrapped in the same protective material as my Hudson, but instead was just put in a plastic baggie and then placed in foam material. I thought that this was going backward in how models are shipped even compared to the low-end manufacturers.

Next I examined the model compared to the Athearn model. There was no difference. BLI boasts how detailed they are and of the numerous add-on details. I was not impressed by the details that were there.

I thought that the sound would redeem the BLI model. The sound was great. However, it is exactly the same as the heavy Mike sound clip on the BLI web site. After going through the other sound clips I realized that a lot of the sounds are the same on several different models. I could understand using the same sound bytes on engines that don’t exist anymore, but there are many 2-8-2s still running. The bottom line is that I was not impressed the same as opening and running my Hudson.

I feel that BLI hooked many people by their quality at first and then have scaled back quality now that they have name recognition. Its not that they are bad models, its that they used to be better models. If I buy any more BLI, I will really make sure it is worth the money. They are not the only ones that can make the claim — operate in silence no more!

Andrew Hartley
Indianapolis, IN

Thanks for your response, Andrew. You raise several issues so I’ll respond to them separately. I have reviewed a large number of BLI’s locomotives, including the Light Mikado, and I have most of them right here around our test layout; the grandkids love them and so do I.

In packaging, the principle goal is to get the model from where it is made, halfway around the world, to your home, all without damage. Since you don’t report any damage, it must have worked. The plastic wrapper around the model keeps away rub marks from the Styrofoam, a standard practice in the industry. I’ve noted the difference in the packaging, but I don’t mind BLI being more cost-efficient in that department.

Both the Athearn and the BLI Light Mikes have a moderate level of detail for a reason. From the moment they were delivered until the scrapper cut them up, changes were being made. The Mikado running in Indianapolis is not the same machine it was when new. Most locos are detailed from the factory based on the as-delivered prototype; changes proceed from there. In many cases, more detail would be the wrong detail at a much higher price.

BLI purchases the sound systems from QSI, and so it would appear that the choice of actual sounds goes back to QSI. Collecting usable sound samples is far more difficult than it would seem. If you run up to a rolling loco with a tape recorder, not only will you get the steam chuff, you’ll get wheel noise, railfans chattering, crossing bells ringing, car horns honking, planes flying over, and all manner of other noise. There are good recordings made in times past, but most of these are copyrighted and getting permission to use them is both difficult and expensive.

The question of value in a model must always be evaluated on every single purchase. Every model maker has good runs and bad, good designs and those with problems. If you have a local hobby shop that allows inspection, then you should by all means take a look at the model. If you deal through the Internet, seek a dealer there that will let you have a day or two to examine the product for suitability. That way, if you decide it isn’t worth your money, you can send it back. Some will charge a restocking fee, but that may be a better value than having something you don’t really want. — Ed.

Where to Call for Book Availability?

As always Model Railroad New is outstanding! If only the checkbook could handle all the exciting things found within the pages!

I don’t know how I did it, Scott, but I left out the phone number. Here’s the full contact information:

DPA-LTA Enterprises Inc.
P.O. Box 1236 • Lewiston, NY 14092-1236
(905) 356-6274 • Fax: (905) 357-3908

More About O-scale 2-Rail vs. 3-Rail

I read with amusement the letter from Steve Barmash concerning your reviews of 3-rail locomotives and your less than informative reply. Thinking that all 3-railers use oversize couplers and deep flanges, is the same as believing that most HO modelers still use the hornhook.

For all his experience, Steve must have missed the “High Rail” movement, where 3-railers use scale couplers, near scale flanges and where almost everything else is scale except the 3rd rail. Therefore, it should be noted that your reviews do not include the latest 0-27 “toys” from Lionel, but scale engines from Atlas, MTH, etc. MTH is now selling their engines with 3/2 technology, that allows a choice for scale flanges. Atlas 3-rail track accepts scale flanges easily, although, they really blew it when they had a chance to design their new track system with a less obtrusive center rail.

Also, most modelers entering the O-scale market do, in fact, pick 3-rail, mainly due to two factors. The extremely large amount of room needed for 2-rail, and the lack of variety and availability of 2-rail diesels. However, this is changing because of companies like Atlas and MTH. Once the 2-rail old timers can accept the fact that a new wave is approaching, and 3-rail companies are now compromising scale a bit and engineering their locomotives to run on tighter turns, 2-rail will grow in popularity. All things being equal, if a 2-rail engine can take as tight a turn as a 3-rail engine, why would anyone pick 3-rail?

By the way, thanks for all the “ink” you gave me in your reviews of vehicles for O scale but not scaled for O scale.

Pete Kruimer
Harrington Park, NJ

In Regards to David Reed’s Inquiry: Selley Tooling

For Mr. Reed’s information: Bowser Manufacturing has owned the Selley tooling for 30 years. Modelers can check out availability and look at pictures of the detail parts at www.bowser-trains.com

Hope this helps.

Richard Cox
English’s Model Railroad Supply
21 Howard Street
Montoursville, PA 17754
(570) 368-2516


Dave Taverner
Denton, TXFax: (570) 368-5046

Since it answers half of his questions, it helps a lot, Richard. Thanks and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. Read on for the rest of David’s questions. — Ed.

In Regards to David Reed’s Inquiry: Royal Blue engines

In response to David Reed’s question about non-brass B&O Royal Blue steam engines, Mantua’s Royal Blue conventional Pacific was not a brass locomotive. This was a Limited Edition offering and did not include a “bullet-nosed” version.

Joe Mattavi
Granby, CT

P&LE Berkshire Book Comments

I enjoy your magazine, but I must correct an error in your Vol. 11, issue 10. John Sipple’s comment in his book review on the P&LE Berkshires that only these and the Niagaras had these front ends is incorrect. I haven’t read the book so I don’t know if he got this info from the book or if it was just his assumption, but it was in error. These front ends were known as Selkirk Front Ends and were used on the L-4 Mohawks and some de-streamlined J-3s. The main difference was that the headlight on the L-4s and J-3s was centered instead of mounted high as on the Berkshires and Niagaras.

Regular subscriber and former NYC steam locomotive fireman,

Thomas Tully
Folsom, CA

Misprint?

On page 18 of your fine November issue, the article refers to Deluxe’s BN shallow rib woodchip gondolas. However, the picture looks like a boxcar to me.

Tom Trenkmann
Fullerton, CA

Comments on Union Pacific

Dilapidated Freight Service

Regarding Union Pacific: In my mind, it would be wrong for someone to slap a Union Pacific shield on a dilapidated truck and seek freight business. This would be a true attempt to capitalize on UP’s image and product while portraying the company in a negative manner. Indeed, Union Pacific is in the business of making money from hauling freight but does not make its money from manufacturing model trains or calendars. So, how does it possibly affect Union Pacific’s bottom line if some company offers a model Union Pacific freight car for sale?

I don’t buy Union Pacific’s image argument at all. A little amount of time trackside will show that this is a company that cares very little about the image conveyed to the tens of thousands of Americans viewing their equipment daily.

Jim Norton
Huntsville, AL

Well, Jim, it’s all legal mumbo-jumbo. The way the system is set up, anybody can sue anyone else for anything. It doesn’t have to make sense or even be legal. If you don’t fight it, the complainant wins by default. So you hire a lawyer who files papers and has coffee with the other side’s lawyers. He sends you a bill for his services. The complainant’s lawyers bill him for their services. At last, when all possible delays have been exhausted and all billable hours have been milked, a judge finally issues a decision. Whoever loses then files an appeal and the process starts all over again.

Cleaning the UP Shield

The picture on page 5 asking how did the UP shield get so clean? This is the access door to the cooling water sight glass and the lube oil dipstick. The shield is clean as a result of gloves wiping across the door when opening or closing the door. Also the doors where the flagpole is are also a little cleaner since this is access to the start switch inside. If UP is so worried about their image, they should look at getting their house in order (wash their units, these are rolling advertisements that the public sees). You don’t see airlines with planes that dirty. UP needs to realize that their logos and name on models, calendars, prints, and other merchandise is all free advertising. Should the material misrepresent or damage their image, then they have the right any legal action.

My other pet peeve is the way some model companies seem to feel the need to glorify graffiti artists who are nothing more than vandals. It not only cost the railroads to paint the cars when built; now they must repaint and restencil the cars. The people who drew Herbie, The Solo Artist, Smokin' Joe, Bozo Texino, The Rambler, and others who drew in chalk did not cover important data on the cars. I’m quite sure if any car that has the markings and data painted over, i.e. dangerous tank car’s chemical name, the FRA has the right to declare each car a shop and take it out of service. These vandals would be quite upset if anyone would spray their house or auto. I have taken the position of not buying any products from a company promoting this criminal act.

Jonathan Reck
Allentown, PA

A lot to think about here, Jon. It may be that UP doesn’t care about public relations. The biggest value of the railroad is the land on which it sits, and the land doesn’t care what you think of it. Their business is pitched at incredibly large shippers who also don’t care. You? You are one of those things that drives its motor vehicle through a grade crossing and gets smashed, leading to a lawsuit. It may be that since they have so many lawyers on retainer in case this happens, why not relieve the cabin fever of a cold, Nebraska winter with some indoor fun and games?