The CNJ L 7 A s (# 770-779) reclassed to T 38 has just been released. This production model is more completely detailed by far than earlier, imported brass CNJ 4-6-0 Camelbacks. It also has great operating characteristics, including high output. My first customer had his but a few hours before he ordered a second one.

The prototype was delivered by Baldwin around the turn of the century, and went into fast freight service.
Once the Mikados arrived in the WW 1 period, the Camels went into long successful careers in passenger, primarily commuter service. Some had their cabs modified so they could run through the L&NE's Lansford Tunnel in Pennsylvania. 774 was the last CNJ steam locomotive to be run in revenue service. All received "Stop" ATC ( automatic train control) systems in the 1920s. A number also got HEP (head end power) generators installed on their tenders in the mid 1940s.

The Eddystone production models combine brass frames, rp 25 contour drivers from England, to which the CNJ's distinctive Davis counterweights are added, a slow turning, high torque, quiet can motor driving through a 23:1 gear ratio. The locomotives have 14 oz on drivers, realistic, effective low speed running at low current draw, and a realistic top end speed. The engines are quite well balanced for best use of the available output and weight-unlike most steam models, even today.

The superstructures are highly detailed engineering grade urethane resin castings to which are added many detail parts. They have fully detailed backheads, and detailed cab interiors and crew. Realistic finish work starts with sandblasting, and is completed with high quality, accurate markings. The models were developed from CNJ drawings/specifications, many photographs, and reference material from Bob Fischer's recently published work on CNJ steam power.

In short, you can't buy a better CNJ camelback in HO . Doug's feedback was lengthy, so I'm going to quotee key points he made here: "The engine arrived this morning, and I've run it for about an hour now….The rear coupler matches the Kadee height gauge…Starts on DCC are smooth, I started the 9 car (passenger) train from rest over a dozen times. Engine has very good power, it accelerates all the way until the end of the Zephyr's throttle travel….The engine measures 30 feet six inches from boiler front to the rear of the firebox, which matches the dimensions of Vic Roseman's CNJ steam plan book….Overall, engine looks very good and captures the feel of a T 38…Lots of nice little touches all over the engine, and the piping work looks very complete to my eyes. Fireman and engineer are included….My engine is finished in semigloss black and the lettering is neatly applied….I asked for (and got) a head end lighting generator with my tender." Ultimately, the clearest expression of Doug's opinion of this locomotive is that within hours he committed to spend hundreds of dollars to get another one. He could have spent a bunch less to get an inferior brass CNJ camelback and chose not to do that.

CNJ classes L6 through L8 look very much alike, and it's only when you get down to measuring a few key dimensions that you can tell them apart. Knowing how people are about favorite road numbers, perhaps already havingl certain road numbers spoken for, I have developed both Speed and Stop ATC systems for use on these models. For the first time on CNJ Camels, this includes both induction shoes as we; as the boxes. Also, you can order the Lansford Tunnel cab, or the regular cab. If you're not sure how a given locomotive was outfitted, amongst cab, ATC and HEP options, I am sure. I made a chart showing who had what. So, a number of options are available to you, and if you don't want to do a lot of research, you can count on me to faithfully model a given locomotive for you.

Base price: $700-
Options: 1) Lansford Tunnel cab--- no charge
2) Choice of road numbers
3) Choice of pre-1942 or post 1942 ( Miss Liberty herald) lettering-no charge.

4) Stop ATC-no charge
5) Speed ATC $15.00
6)Light weathering $20.00
7) Heavy weathering $40.00--- never in addition to light-it's one or the other
8) Digitraxx decoder, addressed to your choice of address $40.00
9) Soundtraxx T'sunami DC/DCC operation, sound decoder, w/ 1" speaker $140.00
10) 33" pilot wheels if you think your trackwork requires a lot of up and down movement of pilot wheels under pilot deck (Prototype 36" wheels are standard). 33" wheels instead, no charge.

The following features are standard on all copies:

1) 2 man crew 2) MV Products lenses, 3) Kadee coupler on tender 4) centered, not sprung Kadee coupler in pilot 5) Coal tools on tender 6) ICC mandated brakeman's lanterns on tender 7) Realistic coal pile 8) Completely painted and lettered 9) Broken in, 1 hour, and road tested to assure it runs as intended.

How to Order