I was wondering if there is anyone out there that makes boxpok drivers that would fit Bachmann's N scale 2-8-4s, or if there's another locomotive out there with them that would fit? My freelance road will use the C&O 2-8-4 Kanawhas with minor detail changes. All locomotives will have the smoke box switched out with the NKP variation for the traditional center mounted headlight and have the "flying" number boards removed. The earlier two classes built in the late 1930s will feature the NKP style front pilot compressor shields, but the final war time iteration will feature the C&O radiator style shield. This is the class I wanted to add Boxpok drivers to. The more modern looking radiator shields and drivers would set the 1944 models apart from the earlier ones. The drives aren't a must, I suppose, but if possible, I think it would really add to the look of a locomotive class  in its final iteration.

Thanks for any information or suggestions!

Trying to put together a roster for a small railroad set in 1950's NE Texas and SE Oklahoma where I live. This fictional line will be somewhere around 60 miles in length. Traffic was consist of agricultural products (grain, cotton, some cattle shipments) and oil on the Texas side, and mostly lumber products on the Oklahoma side.

My question is, would it be plausible for a pair of GE-Ingersoll boxcab diesels to have survived into the 1950's on this small railroad? I plan to have 4 or 5 steam locomotives for the main power, but I like the looks of early boxcabs and want to represent some sort of diesel power. If so, I'm not sure that they would've been operated throughout the whole system, but maybe they could be seen carrying short loads of logs to sawmills in the Oklahoma hills, or similar types of work?

Thanks for any advice!

Are the sand domes on Bachmann's 2-8-4 Berkshires removable? I'd like to use these locomotives for a freelanced railroad, and swapping out the large sand domes seems like an effective way to make them not look so much like Nickel Plate locomotives.

Does anyone know how a person would model a small 2-8-2 like Magma Arizona RR #7? To me, the USRA Light Mikados just look way too big and don't really capture the look of a small shortline 2-8-2. I want to model a 1950s railroad in western Texas that will capture the flavor and feel of the Magma, and a Mikado like the #7 is a almost a must for me....but no RTR models that I've seen do the trick. Suggestions?  

http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mikado/magma7-wessel3.jpg

http://www.rgusrail.com/txtsr.html

Looking into the possibilities of building an N scale freelanced layout. The theme will be a 1950s bridge line type railroad in the Southern U.S. with a Nickel Plate Road flavor (i.e. fast freights, similar motive power). My questions are concerning steam power. Bachmann's 2-8-4 is a given, so that's out of the way. Here are the others on my wish list:

• 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado
My ideal plan is Kato's heavy Mikado with GHQ Model's Southern Railway Ms-4 detailing kit. I love the look of these. They seem to not be in production anymore, though. Are these hard to find, and better yet, are they good runners/pullers if they can be found? Any others out there that someone can recommend?

• 4-6-4 Hudson
I'd like to have a J3a type Hudson for my secondary passenger train. Anyone make a decent N scale model? I've seen the Con-Cor Hudsons on the internet and they look decent to me....but are they good operators? Are they even still in production?

I'm brand new to the N scale game, especially when it comes to steam power. Any opinions, experience, and recommendations are extremely appreciated!

Does anyone know of any reference books that would be a good guide to modeling freight rolling stock used during the 60's? Something with plenty of pictures and examples of everything from boxcars and coal hoppers, to tank cars and piggyback equipment.

Hey Bachmann, how about producing an HO Spectrum 2-6-2 Prairie? True, you do already have a Prairie, but it's more geared toward the train set aspect of the hobby. You have some great looking Spectrum steamers available, and I believe you would have a lot of buyers for an equally detailed 2-6-2. Models of these little engines have been few and far between. Well detailed examples have been even rarer! There's a lot of modelers of small backwoods shortlines, logging railroads, and rural branch lines that would jump at the chance to add one to their roster. Many of the current products out there (from anyone) are models of bigger mainline locomotives, and just don't give the flavor of a small railroad that's "off the beaten path." A little Prairie would be just the ticket. Something similar to McCloud River No. 25 would be great. With no other competition to my knowledge, I think you would be highly successful. Just a thought!