Steve F45 wrote:Has Walthers ever released a name train powered by a steam engine or just been E/F units? What was the LV's name train, i've seen it done by IHC. That would look good on some quality models or the blue comet!
LV's "John Wilkes" was done I think by Rivarossi many years ago and the model is today considered a rather valuable collectible (~$300 in standard DC). IHC has done a "stand-in" for the Lehigh Valley's Asa Packer and perhaps also the Black Diamond (but neither would be an accurate model) simply using the semi-streamlined version of their 4-6-2 Pacfic shell.
Walthers might utilize their Life-Like division to create a named steam train locomotive, but almost surely wouldn't be for one of the anthracite roads, like LV, CNJ, O&W, LNE, etc. Their Wootten fireboxes precludes the shell's use for any other loco design involved in potential projects. In fact, in the last 60 years only Mantua and Bachmann have ever offered rear-cab versions of such steam engines on a mass market scale.
CNJ999
