IHCM937 Custom N&W Class K2 4-8-2 Mountain Number 117

In 1916 Roanoke created the N&W's first 4-8-2s, Class K1 numbers 100-113. These heavy Mountains could handle N&W's heaviest passenger trains. Their cylinder dimensions were "over square" combing a 29" bore with a short 28" stroke. It was an effort to reduce piston speed but resulted in the K1s being hard starters. Alco's Brooks Works delivered ten USRA heavy 4-8-2s Class K2, numbers 116-125, in 1919. They were extremely successful and the road went to Baldwin for 12 more in 1923, class K2a numbers 126-137. Their 25" x 30" cylinders made them superior to the K1s.

In the late 1930's N&W needed an entirely new passenger engine. The new passenger engine had to be brawny enough to make track speed up the mountains with the heaviest trains, fast enough to make up time on the level ends of the road, durable enough to run from one end of the railroad to the other without change and stylish enough to hold its own in a world enamored of flashy diesel powered streamliners. N&W's mechanical engineers and the Roanoke shops were up to the task and the result was five, and eventually another seven, 494,000 pound technologically advanced, blisteringly fast and beautiful bullet nosed and shrouded 4-8-4s painted glossy black and trimmed with a gold-edged tuscan red stripe. Thus was born the legendary N&W J Class.

The aging K2 Class were also to benefit from the technological and cosmetic advances of the J Class. In the late 1940s the N&W 4-8-2s got strengthened frames, new cylinders and cabs, lagged firebox sides, extended pressure lubrication, roller bearings and were cosmetically streamlined to match the J Class. At a distance the two classes were difficult to tell apart.

Putting a period to this story, the J Class and upgraded K2 Class #117 were both extensively modeled for model railroaders. However, as far as we can tell, K2 Class 4-8-2 #117, as she was born in 1919, has NEVER been modeled. Until now.

FEATURES:

• NEW Custom C-9 Mint Condition with Excellent Original Box.
• Custom Decalled for the N&W and Custom Numbered #117. (This loco as produced was "Unlettered". See images above.)
• Test Track run time only.
• MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
• Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom LED Operating Headlamp.
• Upgraded with MRRHQ Custom Directional LED Taillight.
  
• One-piece boilers, engine covers, cabs and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
• Steel main and side rods.
• Real brass bell.
• Includes all original owner-applied additional fine detail parts.
• Powerful state-of-the-art can motor w/flywheel.
• Scale 72" Drivers.
• Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
• Upgraded with working rear Kadee all-metal Knuckle Coupler.
• Optional Upgrades Available:
  • TCS T1 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
  • TCS T1KA Standard DCC Decoder w/KEEP ALIVE Installed.
  • TCS WOWSound 101 DCC/Sound Decoder Installed.
  • TCS WOWSound 101KA DCC/Sound Decoder w/KEEP ALIVE Installed.
  • Engineer Figure Installed in Cab.
• Made in Slovenia by Mehano. Production Year 1997.