Three weeks ago I purchased a New York Central 4-6-4 brass "O" scale locomotive which is so exceptionally well built that it appears to be some sort of prototype. It is so well detailed that it even has brake shoes between drive wheels. It caused quite a stir at this months Tehachapi Railroad Club meeting. On the right front side of the boiler it has this information in raised letters: American Locomotive 1941 Company Limited In that order. My questions are these. Was this locomotive built by ALCO models, whilch have ads in several magazines such as Model Railroader, Railroad Model Craftsman and Protype Modeler dated from the '70's through the early '80's, or was it built by ALCO, the manufacturer of this type locomotive, which is a J-1 class delivered to New York Central between 1927 and 1931? The locomotive bears the number 5314. ALCO Models were located in New Jersey and are probably out of business. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Jesse
Posted by Mike C (Member # 35) on :
I believe what you have there is a replica of the orrigional locomotives builders plate. Many of todays manufacturers are putting on detials like these (especially in O scale) to make the model look more like the real thing. What this info means is that the prototype loco was built by ALCO in 1941. HTH Mike
Posted by quepasa (Member # 870) on :
Thanks for your reply Mike C. Question. Why would ALCO build a prototype locomotive in 1941 of the type they delivered to New York Central between 1927 and 1931? The reason I included the number 5314 is because this number falls in the first group of J-1 class engines. I have two others just like this one without that plate, took one apart and found solder joints and wiring that appears over thirty years old. Jesse
Posted by Mike C (Member # 35) on :
OK that was my best guess Have you tried the NYC historical soceity. If they are anything like the N&W group, someone should have some idea.......Mike
Posted by quepasa (Member # 870) on :
Thanks Mike C. Reason I'm curious is because these three O scale locomotives were bought at a yard sale from an avid O27 scale man who considered them "junk". He bought them as part of a "lot" of train stuff at a sealed bid auction. We bought these three beauties for $10 a piece! Obviously, they had been in someone's collection for years. I got two of the three running and one I swapped for a genuine mint condition caboose lantern. The best one has been appraised by several dealers anywhere between $500 and $2700. Jesse
Posted by Mike C (Member # 35) on :
Man why cant I ever find good deals like this . Whatever it is you sure got lucky on that one....Mike
Posted by Kennedy Model Trains (Member # 808) on :
The number on the plate could be the builder's number. I know that Portland Locomotive Works, and Pennsy's own shops did that.
Have you tried the NYC historical soceity. If they are anything like the N&W group, someone should have some idea.......Mike
. Whatever it is you sure got lucky on that one....Mike