Camelback fast freights, like our spectacular MRRHQ Custom Limited Edition Mantua Reading 1900s Coal Train w/DCC, were a common sight roaring out of the eastern U.S. coal fields at the turn of the 20th Century.
Camelbacks, also known as Mother Hubbards, were first built by the Pennsylvania and Reading’s shops in 1877 and were a familiar sight in the anthracite coal regions of the US in the late 19th and early 20th Century. To take advantage of the available wealth of fuel, John E. Wooten developed the large, wide Wooten firebox to effectively burn anthracite waste that was both plentiful and cheap. Because of its efficient use of coal as a fuel the Camelback design was later adopted by railroads in the west and mid-west.
As the successful trailing truck used to support large fireboxes had not yet been developed, the Wooten firebox had to be mounted above the driving wheels which also improved traction. The problem now arose that, with a cab mounted at the then standard tender deck height, it would be impossible for the engineer to see forward around the firebox. Instead, a cab for the engineer was placed above and astride the boiler providing visibility and giving the Camelback its name. The fireman stood on the rear deck, covered by a small shelter, when firing the boiler. While the Camelback was designed for fast freight service, it was later also widely used in passenger service.
Unequaled attention to detail, craftsmanship, technological innovation and respect for the great, vintage models trains of days gone by. Only from the modelers at MRRHQ.
The Locomotive
Mantua 397-021 Reading 2-8-0 Camelback w/DCC
FEATURES:
C-9 Mint Condition with Excellent Original Box.
Limited Edition 3-Year Production Run w/Numbered C.O.A.
