USATC S160 - on the Polar Express

Discussion in 'Locomotives' started by Rob Pulham, Nov 29, 2019.

  1. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Chris and I saw our first steam loco since moving onto the Wensleydale branch today. Most unusually it was in the form of a USATC S160 which is actually prototypical for the line as they came through on troop trains during the war.

    It's heading up this year's Christmas special on the Wensleydale Railway, The Polar Express. It came as quite a surprise to be honest because our neighbours had told us that in previous years that have run the Polar Express trains diesel hauled.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. AJS is a Red

    AJS is a Red Full Member

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    I bet you'll never tire of that view from your back garden.
     
  3. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    I never tire of working behind them!

    not sure is they have changed the number? But I think that will be 6046 from the Churnet Valley.
    Sister 5197 is at Telford doing the same (where we have a third 2253 in red as standby for our Santa’s)
     
  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Now that is very impressive …

    Ian vt
     
  5. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    I sincerely hope not, it was one of the reasons for buying the house. Chris was like a kid in a sweet shop as it came by last night and you could see all the cab lit up from the firebox glow. I am sure that such a scene will feature in a future painting....
     
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  6. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hi Andy,

    I am not sure, the first thing we knew that it was here was when it came up the branch light engine at about 12.00 yesterday and we heard it whistle. The immediate thought was, "that's not a diesel" and the stirrings of excitement wondering what it might be.
     
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  7. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    It sure is Ian,

    Seeing that yesterday has made up for quite a bit of unexpected pain with the house...
     
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  8. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Today I managed to film the down Polar Express in daylight

    [media]
     
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  9. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Hopefully you are not getting bored yet but I wanted to record the sound of it pulling up the hill before getting to us on the return journey so if you watch, do be patient for a few moments

     
  10. Cidge

    Cidge Full Member

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    Not at all bored.

    One is impressive, two even more so. How about three?

    Take a look at the link below, if it works. I hope I'm not breaking any forum rules.

    https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/events/super-power-weekend-take-2.html

    Cheers everybody.

    Cidge
     
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  11. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    they have a growing fan base. And when you have it going up a 1:50 hill, boy do they bark.



    (not my video)
     
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  13. Mr Porter

    Mr Porter Failure is always an option. Full Member

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    What a wonderful idea. Horns on the front of the loco, feeding Xmas presents and decorations into the firebox, and a spiky tail hanging off the back of the brake van.
    :facepalm:

    :headbanger:

    Jim
     
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  14. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I reckon I'll be up for the "Super Power Weekend" Date duly noted on next years calendar! Shame no-one makes a model of these loco's in 4mm as far as I know, though I already have one of "Model Rails" USA Tank engines in 4mm.
    Keith.
     
  15. Cidge

    Cidge Full Member

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    I think a model is available in HO, but I forget who makes it.

    Cidge
     
  16. Rob Pulham

    Rob Pulham Happily making models Staff Member Administrator Feature Contributor

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    Ditto 7mm
     
  17. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    It’s come out top of the OO wish list this year, so by 2021 you never know.
    I’d be more expecting Bachmann than Hornby though.

    interesting to note when I saw al three together in the yard at Cheddleton a few weeks ago, each one is different.
    One has an air operated reverser, one is the usual hand wound, 2253 is right hand drive where as 5197 and 6046 are left hand drive. 2253 has been fitted (but not yet wired) with electric lights, so there is a mass variation for the model company to cover, and then hope it’s right for the number they portray.
     
  18. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Maybe one for "Model Rail" to cover Andy, since they were the ones who did the USA tanks. At least with several loco's still in existence it'll be a quicker CAD process rather than having to work from one loco or even just Works drawings when all have been scrapped. I live in hope for a 4mm model 'soon,' and I'd certainly prefer a Bachmann model rather than Hornby, though bearing in mind a number of fairly recent electrical and chassis problems some of Hornby's models have suffered from, their Chinese "Quality Control" seems a bit lacking to say the least.
    Keith.
     
  19. Cidge

    Cidge Full Member

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    "Model Rail" did have something to say about the S160 in HO scale back in 2017.

    https://www.model-rail.co.uk/review-preview/2017/5/30/roco-s160

    Gaugemaster might still have them on sale.

    http://www.gaugemaster.com/articles/guides/USATC-S160-Class-Steam-Locomotive.html

    For size comparison against OO, this link shows it well.
    The video, not mine, has some other info too.



    Cheers,
    Cidge
     
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  20. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I've just had a look at the Gaugemaster site via your link, and they do still have versions available, but given the very obvious difference of scale (and the price of almost £310!!!) for the non-sound version, I'll stick it out and await a proper 4mm version, especially since (as per your photo) it would look somewhat silly at the side of my "Merchant Navy" and "B-of-B/W/C fleet! Many thanks for the link Cidge.
    Keith.
     

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