Modelling the N&W M class
Norfolk and Western's little beauty.... the unique 4-8-0. Built in 1906, these
engines (with sister classes M1 and M2) were the mainstay of
the
N&W's
coal hauling duties, often double headed. The mallet types, with two driving
engines, under one boiler, superceded them.
Many M class did remain in service until the late 1950's.
The 4-8-0 was not a particularly popular wheel arrangement on world railroads.
The 2-8-0 was far more ubiquitous. Along with the N&W, the Southern Pacific
had some, and Queensland
(Australia) widely used the 4-8-0. One of the class is still running today,
at the Strasburg
Railroad in Pennsylvania.
The model above,
was imported in 1963-67 from Japan, by LMB. It is a beautiful runner. The
model was painted by Mr Bob Cuffe of Queensland, and has been re-motored with
a can motor, and ready for DCC.
This model has the front cow catcher as used on road duties. This was often
replaced by steps for yard duties, to which many of this class were assigned
in later years. More pictures
of this model.
This site supplied by Kimball Thurlow, Brisbane, Australia.