The first 2-8-8-2 Mallet locomotives were built by Baldwin in 1908 for the Southern Pacific. Over its many years of service, the
2-8-8-2 proved itself to be a capable hauler on mountain grades,enabling the replacement of several smaller locomotives and hauling longer trains than before. These massive workhorses provided reliable service, primarily with mountain railroads, until the end of steam in 1960.
Never a big purveyor of articulated locomotives, the AT&SF did receive two Class 3559 2-8-8-2 articulateds from Baldwin in 1909. With Road Numbers 1700 and 1701, these 2-8-8-2s were considered by the AT&SF to be the best (or least unsuccessful) of their small roster of articulateds. In 1924, the engine units were removed and placed under separate boilers, creating two Mikados each.
Rivarossi offered their first 2-8-8-2 articulated model locomotive in authentic N&W livery in 1964. They proceeded to produce, upgrade and offer successive versions of N&W 2-8-8-2 #2197 until 1977 when, no doubt bowing to economics, they also released it in Santa Fe and PRR livery with both also numbered 2197. Production ceased after 1977 until their final N&W Y6-b was offered for a single year in 1997.
FEATURES:
C-9 Mint Condition with Excellent Original Box and Paperwork. (Original shrink wrap intact except on one end.)
Little or no evidence of run time.
MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom High Performance LED Headlamp .
Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Directional LED Back up Light.
Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Doghouse Light.
One-piece boilers, engine covers, cabs and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
Steel main and side rods, guides, hand rails, fittings and coupler lift bars.
Twelve Wheel Long Haul Tender.
Scale 58" Drivers.
Many additional fine details.
Powerful Can Motor with .7 Amp Maximum Current Draw.
Dual "Cardanic" Drive System provides power to all 16 Drivers .
Silent, flexible drive and slippage-free oversize knurled drive wheel axles.
Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
Upgraded with working rear Knuckle Coupler.
Optional Upgrades Available:
TCS T1 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
TCS T1KA Standard DCC Decoder w/Keep Alive Installed.
TCS WOWSound 101 Digital DCC/Sound Decoder Installed.
TCS WOWSound 101KA Digital DCC/Sound Decoder w/Keep Alive Installed.
Rivarossi Catalog 1977.
Dimensions: Locomotive 10 x 2 x 1 3/8" Tender 6 1/2 x 2 x 1 3/8"
