I have this locomotive model and I love it, but since Model Power basically just redecorated it for a laundry list of roadnames I am dubious on whether it's even close to any 4-4-0 prototype SP ever ran.
Well, I found a little info at espee modeler's. What I'd really like to find are some prototype photos, but so far my Google-Fu maneuvers have failed to turn any up. http://espee.railfan.net/sp_steam_e-23.html The pictured model looks very close but the number, 223, does not appear in any of the rosters on this page. This list may not be complete.
Adam, the "gospel according to Drury" lists SP 4-4-0 Class E-40 by Baldwin, numbers 220-223, built in 1922. There were also 5 class E-23, Cooke, 1900, 5 class E-39, Baldwin, 1924, and one class E-41, no. 224, Baldwin 1921. No 4-4-2 proto photos, but he has one of an SP 2-6-0 from around the same period that looks a lot like your model. :question:
Hmmm... my copy just has the four usual gospels, no St. Drury... oh, wait, wrong book. Is this Drury list in a book or on a website or...
It is the "Guide to North American Steam Locomotives", history and development of steam power since 1900, compiled by George H. Drury and published by Kalmbach. It's soft cover, 5 1/2" X 8 1/2", 448 pages, and has a railroad by railroad history and rosters of all steam built after 1900. A very good reference book to have if you are into steam.
Oh, right! I have seen that book, and nearly picked one up once except that I was about five dollars short after having purchased a bunch of other books on steam. Good good. I will keep my eyes open for that one.
