They were not even the "real deal". They were PRR K-3: close, but not quite. I bashed a K-3/E-3. It required the K-4 shell and power chassis, the B-6 shell and the LL Y-3 tender. I sawed off the K-4 cab, fused the metal B-6 cab to the plastic K-4 boiler, wired up the LL Y-3 tender behind it, put it onto the track and ran it. PRR sold these things to N&W without the tenders, so they had different tenders during their service on the N&W. If you compare the two, you will note that the K-3 and K-4 had different cabs. The K-3 and the B-6 had the same cab. You will note, as well, that the BelPaire firebox on the K-3 is smaller than that on the K-4. I wonder if the TRIX shell will go onto the B-mann power chassis. If not, I suppose that I could saw the K-4 cab from the B-mann shell, fuse another B-6 cab onto it and put the whole business back together. Wiring an LL Y-3 tender would not be hard, although I would like to preserve the sound. I wonder how you could wire the sound unit into a DC locomotive. If B-mann is going to keep up with the road specific power, how far behind can a N&W K-class be? They have the power chassis, already: the USRA heavy 4-8-2. The shrouded K classes were either USRA originals or copies.
I was not able to capture a link to the Bachmann ad in October 2015 MR, but for a B&O fan, it looked much like this HO version, however in 4 options based on era.
I am by no means a Bachmann n-scale historian, i.e. I do not know what they had released in n-scale prior to the past 10 years. I think a 4-6-2 is new for them in n-scale. The ad shows four Pennsylvania lettered locomotives that are labelled as representative of four eras. I am not promoting them, just reporting what I saw in the online version of their ad.
OK, that makes sense. It seemed strange that the PRR would be unloading their K-4s when traffic was picking up during the war years.
I am not a Pennsylvania Modeler, ( stil might have to get one) but can this engine be used a base for other kitbash projects? For example,what other Pennsylvania engines used this same boiler or close enough to make ( 2-8-2 -4-8-2- 2-10-0,ect ) Also 4-4-2. I can,t wait to see the projects that will be done with this engine. Hopefully Bachmann will have parts for sale soon after it's release. I am happy for all of you K4 fans. RGW
It could be the basis of a kitbash, but I don't know who would want to cut one of these up. Now that the K4 and M1 are coming soon, it is only a matter of time before the others come. It would make a lot more sense to wait. And that chassis is die-cast. It would be pretty hard to saw that apart.
At $400 per, this is definitely capitalizing on a long-pent-up desire for K-4s. I hope thy come-out with other Pacifics that I want at a price that I can afford.
That $399 MSRP is a 20% jump over the price of the Berkshire. At least one dealer is presently selling the Berkshires for about 40% off list, so there's a chance these will eventually become more affordable. Yet, it still seems like a $250-300 loco packed with $100-150 of decoder and sound generating apparatus. Maybe in some future run they can make available a less than fully-equipped version.
The K1 is my K4 of steam so a K1 would be spectacular! Shrouded and standard K2 and K2As would be sweet.
I will say that the pre-war Brunswick Green is one very attractive locomotive and of course I have a fondness for Belpaire boilers. But my course has been set with low drivered steam and early diesel so I cannot foresee one in my future..
They won't street for this. Probably more like $250-280 at first; if they are as good as the 2-8-0, they will sell out and stay there. If they are like the Berks, expect more like $180 after word gets out and inventory piles up. The Berk is OK with some tweaking, but not worth anywhere near list price. John C.
Finally got the drool wiped off the chin enough to be able to type! As well as the Spectrum line has been doing, this ought to be a very nice running loco! Now there is something else to pinch away some pennies for! And that means there will have to be a psgr set....and an excuse dreamed up to have it in eastern Montana in the 20's!!!!
Well the NP did have a Pennsy observation in Pennsy colors a few times on the back of the NCL when they had managed to bang up a couple of their own cars. Bit of a stretch though to get a borrowed K-4 at the head of the NCL.
