Thiis an FYI to 2-rail O-scale and 3-rail O-gauge BR/CB&Q fans.
other than being a recent customer, I am not a dealor/vendor or
associated with 3rd Rail in anyway.
The pickens are certailnly slim in the categaory of commercially
produced steam locomotive models in 3-rail O-gauge: Weaver 0-6-0
from 1993 (I've never even seen one), Lionel's O-27 Jr. Hudson #4000
from 2000 (a nice semi-scale model), and MTH RailKing's 0-8-0 from
about 2000 (nice model). So when 3rd Rail (division of Sunset
Models) offered an O5a/b in both 2-rail and 3-rail, I was excited.
The model was ofered in the normal paint scheme as an O5a/b in
numbers #5632 and #5629 (preserved in Golden, CO?). The tender comes
with a removable oil bunker in the tender, a coal load is included
for conversion to coal fuel. These models have the prototypical die
cast pilot, BoxPok drive wheels, and vestibule cab. The 3-rail
models have RailSounds 4.0 with TMCC control and operate on O-72
curves. The 2-rail operate on on tighter curves (O-54?).
The #5632 is also available in the prototypical "special occasion"
gold paint scheme (reportedly sold out already).
An O5 version of #5614 (is his the prototype in St. Joe, MO ?) was
also made in small (25 units) numbers with the boiler tube pilot,
spoked drivers, and open cab (these are also reported as sold out).
This is a small run with something like 250 units made. MSRP=
$1100.
I picked my #5632 up on 12/23/03. It is so gorgeous, I thought that
I was in heaven! Since I do not have a layout at this time, we test
ran it at the hobby shop. The sounds are fantastic. The Mars light
winks in clear in the forward mode. In reverse, the Mars light is
red and the clear tender light is on. The side rod action is
great. The bell on the front is brass colored (in prototype photos,
the bell often appears black. Was it painted black or just dirty
with soot?) The tender herald has gold lettering with the red
border. The cab windows and roof vents actually open up. the boiler
back head is extremely detailed. One of the hobby shop guys pointed
out that the model was missing a batery-sized box ahead of the sand
dome on the right side, but my examination of prototype photos in
the color books reveals that this feature was not present in 1960
and before and was present in 1964 photos (what was this box for?
Something with cab signals?)
When I compare this model to prototype photos, it looks dead on to
me. I am delighted to have such a detailed model of the one of the
Q's most famous steamer's in O-gauge. Wiliams Electric Trains makes
a 6 car set of BR heavyweight passenger cars (green with black roofs
& trucks, only ones in O-gauge) that I will run behind my #5632 for
excursions.
Now, how am I going to fit 6' O-72 curves into mu basement?
Here is a link to 3rd Rail's photo:
http://www.3rdrail.com/images/burlingtono5b.jpg
FYI only, I am not a dealor or vendor. Thanks.
CB&Q Bill
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