LEHIGH & HUDSON RIVER 90 CLASS CONSOLIDATION
In 1925 the L&HR went to Baldwin for massive Consolidations, # 90-
95. These new locomotives were in a sense, a throw back, since by then
the L&HR had rostered two classes of Mikados. However, the 1920s was
the era of building enormous, high output Consolidations--- mainly amongst
the anthracite railroads.
In that period the Reading I-9s and I-10s appeared, the D&H E5A and
E6As came along, as did the L&NE E 14s. Even the copy-cat soft coal
hauling Western Maryland got into the act. So the L&HR's choice of
yet another Consolidation type made complete sense at the time.
The 90 class had a grate area of 100 square feet, and delivered a whopping
71,500 pounds tractive effort.
They were equally at home in drag, and 50-60 mph freight work, and served
well till dieselization... They carried large 15,000 gallon, 16 tons coal
tenders, and were designed to burn a mix of hard and soft coal.
The major modification to occur was the addition of a Worthington SA type
feed water heater. When the L&HR went to the use of dog houses, a
dog house was added to the tender.
These are very striking locomotives, and it is surprising that it has not been offered in brass. However, an enterprising Eddystone customer placed an order for one, and I couldn't resist the temptation to tool it for a production loco so that many others can at last, have one or more, also. It is our second L&HR steamer, the highly accurate 80 class being available as an "Overhaul" of the Athearn or BLI USRA light Mikados.
The Eddystone model represents locos 90-93 with the air pumps on the left. It is in final form, with the feed water heater, and dog house. It has a working coupler at each end, full cab interior, and all the other Eddystone usual such as coal tools, ICC lanterns in the gangway, crew, and glazed windows. Digitrax and Soundtraxx T'sunami and blackened rods are offered as options. So too, light or heavy weathering. The models use the excellent Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 machinery for plenty of smooth, quiet power.
If you love mixing it up, particularly in say, the Allentown- Phillipsburg area, or in free lancing; these locomotives can double head magnificently with other Eddystones using the same drive. These are, and in a couple of cases, will be: L&NE E 12, L&NE E 14, Reading I-9, CNJ C-39, D&H E 6A
This locomotive will enter production, February, 2008. Order yours now.
Base price $700.00