Gauge 1 or 1:29 scale 4-8-4s produced?

540 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by tacfoley, 11 d ago

MGates

Discussion Starter · 23 d ago

I'm looking to get some feedback on any 4-8-4s that have been made in 1:32 or 1:29 scale.

I'm working with a team of volunteers at my local steam museum to build an outdoor gauge 1 track for mostly live steam (as the venue would suggest) but of course battery locos would work fine on dead rail and we are considering wiring up at least one of the double mainline tracks for 2-rail power later on down the line.

Some of the volunteers are interested in getting a 4-8-4 to model the locomotives they have at the museum that run on 7.5" gauge track. They are two Little Engines ALCO 4-8-4 locos, one built by the former owners of the estate the museum currently resides... father and son in the late 50s, and the other built by the original owner of Little Engines, Martin Lewis, obtained from his widow after Martin passed.

Train Wheel Rolling stock Motor vehicle Vehicle

#401 built by T. Clarence Marshall 1956-1960

Wheel Vehicle Motor vehicle Train Mode of transport

This is the one built by Martin Lewis in the early 1950s.

Frustratingly when searching for Gauge 1 or G scale 4-8-4s they give me 4-8-8-4 Big Boy results LOL! And looking through MTHs catalog mostly gives O-Scale results.

Does anyone know of any Gauge 1 or G Scale 4-8-4 releases that I can be on the look out for? Reviews/suggestions welcome. Hoping to not break the bank, I'm fine with needing to wait around for one to be up for sale of course, as is to be expected with out of production equipment. I'm fine with 3D printing or kit bashing to get close to the look of these Little Engines locos.

-Mike

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ferroequinologist

· #2 · 23 d ago

For live steam there is the Aster GS4 4-8-4, the Aster Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 and the Aster Great Northern 4-8-4 or a 2-8-4 Aster Berkshire if you ignore the wheel arrangement but all are now out of production so second hand is the only option when they come up. Not sure of offerings in electric for 4-8-4 locomotives.
Russell

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Greg Elmassian

· #3 · 23 d ago

electric from usa trains

http://www.usatrains.com/jpg/fefmainphoto.jpg

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MarkLayton

· #4 · 22 d ago

Not quite 4-8-4, there's Fine Art Models' 1:32 PRR M1a 4-8-2 that could be a starting point for track power or battery. But with the distinctive Pennsy Belpaire firebox, would be a major modification. And a very expensive candidate for such a build.

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Pete Thornton

· #5 · 22 d ago

Martin, from glancing at your photos, the second (Martin Lewis built) 4-8-4 looks rather like a GS4 in black. (Most were in daylight colors.) Accucraft made a GS5, part # AL97-007 , but I've no idea where you would find one. The streamlined top covering probably comes off (Ryan at Triple R Services would know,) and the smokebox front could be modified.

Train Wheel Vehicle Rolling stock Motor vehicle

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Pete Thornton

· #6 · 22 d ago

And for the first one, the Aster Great Northern is pretty close, though (again) you'd have to remove a lot of 'stuff' from the boiler and smokebox.

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Pete Thornton

· #7 · 22 d ago

MGates said:
looking through MTHs catalog mostly gives O-Scale

You have to specify Railking One Gauge.

They did make an electric version of the SP GS4 - my pal has one. It could be painted black I guess.

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MGates

Discussion Starter · #8 · 22 d ago

Thanks for the input folks, I appreciate the time taken to provide some options.

-Mike

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tacfoley

· #9 · 11 d ago

Pete Thornton said:
Martin, from glancing at your photos, the second (Martin Lewis built) 4-8-4 looks rather like a GS4 in black. (Most were in daylight colors.) Accucraft made a GS5, part # AL97-007 , but I've no idea where you would find one. The streamlined top covering probably comes off (Ryan at Triple R Services would know,) and the smokebox front could be modified.

View attachment 66157

I've only seen one 'war baby' black GS4 here in UK - being VERY familiar with 4449 it sure did look impressive.

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tacfoley

· #10 · 11 d ago

ferroequinologist said:
For live steam there is the Aster GS4 4-8-4, the Aster Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 and the Aster Great Northern 4-8-4 or a 2-8-4 Aster Berkshire if you ignore the wheel arrangement but all are now out of production so second hand is the only option when they come up. Not sure of offerings in electric for 4-8-4 locomotives.Russell

Accucraft also made the GS4 in Daylight and 'war-baby' black scheme. Being greatly in love with the former SP&S Northern #700, which shares the Oregon Heritage Rail centre adjacent to OMSI on the East Bank of Willamette in Portland, #700 was my choice for a 4-8-4 back in the days when we got asked what we'd like to see and stump up for.... Sadly it never happened.

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tacfoley

· #11 · 11 d ago

MarkLayton said:
Not quite 4-8-4, there's Fine Art Models' 1:32 PRR M1a 4-8-2 that could be a starting point for track power or battery. But with the distinctive Pennsy Belpaire firebox, would be a major modification. And a very expensive candidate for such a build.

If it's a running model you want, the Fine Art Models' version is not for you. Not only would you need near-scale curves, as you note, you'd need a seriously deep pocket - and that's for the wrong loco.

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