This is actually rather embarassing, but.... the standard Bachmann `Annie' or 'Big Hauler' 4-6-0 that gets released in huge numbers every holiday season and is a stock feature in most Bachmann starter sets - is the 'prototype' for that standard guage or narrow guage?
I'd always assumed it was narrow gauge, but I have a sneaky suspicion that there might have been something very very close to it in the standard guage department as well. Just drawing a blank here.
Also, now that I'm thinking about it...about when did these proto-types go out of service? I have this vague idea they were pretty much history by the end of the 19th century, but then again, I have this vague suspicion some of them might have been running around on isolated branch lines and the like into the 1930's or so.
I'd always assumed it was narrow gauge, but I have a sneaky suspicion that there might have been something very very close to it in the standard guage department as well. Just drawing a blank here.
Also, now that I'm thinking about it...about when did these proto-types go out of service? I have this vague idea they were pretty much history by the end of the 19th century, but then again, I have this vague suspicion some of them might have been running around on isolated branch lines and the like into the 1930's or so.