I just got a call from my LHS and my Little joe has arrived!!!!!! YIPPEEE!!!!! I will post photos when I pick it up later this afternoon.
Unfortunatelly Ken no I do not. but after looking at pictures of Gregs latest project I might have to put my Joe on his diorama.
This is a sweet looking engine! It will be interesting to hear about the performance. As far as I understood the Joes were hardly ever used on the coast division, so my wallet is save for the time being... Cheers Dirk
Well now ... if you like the L'il Joe from Overland ... guess what's next? Here's a 'hint'.... heheheee mg: :shade: :thumbs_up:
Here are pictures of mine. They are not that good of quality as they were taken with my phone. I got the E-79 in the orange and black scheme.
Modelers of American heavy electric locomotives are few and far between; and in nscale are even fewer and farther between whatever heavy electric locomotive type they model. Heavy electric traction has always fascinated me, even as a kid. I could sit all day and watch those big electrics just 'glide' over the rails in almost complete quiet. As a modeler of Great Northern, electrics have an integral part in my modeling; but short of scratchbuilding, models such as a GN Z-1, Y-1 or W-1 are, for now, non-existant. Now comes Overland Models Inc., with a brass model of one of the most famous American heavy electrics the Milwaukee Road EP/EF4 series "Little Joes." Overland has produced only 163 units and most have already sold out. At the end of WW-II Russia contracted with the U.S. to have 20 such electrics built for use in Eastern Russia, i.e., the Trans-Siberian Railroad. But before delivery could take affect, relations between the two countries chilled dramatically (as in "Cold War") and the locomotives sat with the manufacturer until other buyers could be found. Long story short, 12 units went to Milwaukee Road with the designator EF4's. The remaining eight went to CSS&SB and Sao Paulo Brazil. Two Milwaukee units were modified for passenger service. The model I have is of a EP4 (passenger) Little Joe. Milwaukee had only two such passenger Joes numbered E20 and E21. Otherwise identical with the EF4 freight units, the passenger units had controls removed from one cab end and a steam generator installed for passenger service. The paint and lettering are excellent. Yeah, yeah!! I know!! "For the cost of a brass model it had better be 'excellent.'" Even so, Overland has done their work very well. This is a heavy locomotive and does not have traction tires. And it is also noisy. This is largely due to the metal gears of the locomotive and because mine has not yet had sufficient break-in time for the noise to smooth out. Even so the loco started smoothly. The loco is very capable over its speed ranges from a "creeping" 3 smph to "warp" speed in excess of 120 smph. The real Joes rarely, if ever, got above 60-65 for passenger units or 50-55 for freight units. (P.S. - your results may vary.) Unfortunately DCC is not an option with this model; for the moment. I inquired about this with Overland, and they conceded they had not considered DCC in the design/production of this loco model but will in future models. Is DCC possible with the Joe? Sure .. but Overland says it would require a great deal of work to do so and not something they recommend trying. So, for now, my Little Joe will remain DC only. Joes being electrics one would expect the model to possibly run from 'live' overhead catenary wire. The model design certainly 'looks' like this would be possible. I asked Overland about this as well, and they said these loco's are NOT overhead ready; but with future models they will explore the possibility of overhead operation design. For now the pans are "dummy." I'm still exploring what it will take to get these to operate off overhead catenary. Lighting is directional and the unit can operate on 11 inch radii but does best on 13 inch and larger. It is "picky" about trackwork; the pilot trucks will derail instantly on ANY bad spot. My unit operated very well on code 55 track and did well through Atlas and Peco switches. I have not tested car pulling power as yet, but I would not be surprised to see it take 25-30 cars even without traction tires. Cost: MSRP $850.00 per unit. I ordered through 4Nscale.com for $699.00. Before anyone 'groans and moans' about such cost, consider the cost of the Athearn Challenger with a MSRP of $425.00 per unit though it can be purchased for about $299.00. Also keep in mind Overland produced only 163 units ... where Athearn has already hit over 500 with their Challenger and the 2nd run hasn't even got to market yet. Also consider that brass detail work far exceeds (so far) anything in molded plastic .. though this gap is closing. Bottom Line: Overland has produced in n-scale an excellent model and in my case, one of particular interest. Overland also stated they are "considering" the Great Northern W-1 electric as a future model. What does a GN W-1 look like? THIS is a Great Northern W-1 electric: And this will be one model I will really be saving more of my "pennies" for.
Dang! A 1-of-2 model! Only 2 ever built on the planet, as I recall. Good thing I don't model Stevens Pass!!!!!!! Now, if they come out with D&RGW L-132's, I'm in trouble...
True! However, why did Overland Models Inc., come out with the Little Joe? Why are they 'strongly' considering their next model to be the Great Northern W-1? Why did Athearn come out with the Challenger, other than Con Cor/Rivarossi had gone "Bust?" The answer to all those questions is: ... Overland has already produced both models in larger scales (HO and O), ergo they only had to scale down to produce the same in n-scale. Ditto Athearn re: Challenger. For Overland, the Little Joe was also a 'test' entry into the n-scale market with American heavy electric. I had a conversation with Overland when they were at the NMRA Convention two years ago in Cincinnati if they might ever consider either a Little Joe or a GN W-1 for n-scale heavy electric fans/modelers. This was also shortly after Oriental Limited had decided to abruptly, and un-announced, completely drop all n-scale model productions; a decision made after having announced/advertised for two years they were taking reservations to produce a GN Y-1 electric! In any case, I received an email the other day from Overland that because of their success with the Little Joe, they are now looking to come out with the Great Northern W-1. However, no announcement as yet. What may happen after the W-1? One can only hope and wish Overland great success; we "heavy electric" modelers will reap the 'rewards' so to speak .. even as we empty our wallets. :shade:
You know for 850 smackers this locomotive has too many deficiencies. Is DCC friendly too much to ask for in a $850 locomotive? How about operating pans or even pans that could easily be made to operate? I realize that this is a locomotive that will probably never be made in plastic so it is a "get 'em while you can" type of deal. But for the price it leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion.
