Based on Bachmann's on-line product listing, the 1860's-1880's trains have all been discontinued except for the 4-4-0 in various road names and a Disney train set.  Rather than updated Village Express and Village Freight sets, I'd prefer to be able to purchase the cars and locomotives separately.  Bring back the Train Robbery cars too.

Given that Bachmann has used MA & PA prototypes for their previous small steam models, it is quite plausible they would make the small MA & PA 2-8-0.

Since it shares many parts with the Roundhouse old-time 4-4-0 and 2-6-0, Athearn has already done most of the work needed to re-release the Roundhouse old-time 2-8-0.

If you want old time flat roof passenger cars then your options are pretty much either go with the Mantua cars, cut up and rebuild another style car or scratchbuild your own.

Mantua's old time models were originally designed several decades ago and they don't come close to the quality most model railroaders expect today.

Except for Roundhouse and a handfull of Bachmann or Mantua pieces, the model train manufacturers have abandoned the pre-1900 market.

Traction tires should be avoided if at all possible.  Same with wheel wipers.  A well designed locomotive should not need traction tires.

Roger's point about long-term availability of replacement tires is valid.  Some traction tires will last for a couple decades while others self destruct in just 3-4 years.

There are two holes in the coupler depression (it's not really a box) of the 4-4-0 tender frame.  The original coupler pin should fit the outer hole.

BTW, a McHenry coupler easily fits the Rivarossi tender when the original coupler pin is used with a Kadee coupler box cover.

I would recommend replacing the motor with a high quality can motor such as those sold by NorthWest Short Line.  This will make a huge improvement in the model's performance.  You will need to ensure the driveshaft socket location does not change relative to the tender floor.

Which motor do you have?  The old motor in a metal can that is as wide as the tender or the smaller can-like motor with a plastic motor mount?

Six axle, three truck Krupp diesel-hydraulic.

The prototype is a light switching engine (current tense because the JW Bowker still exists).  The model should have a traction tire and will most likely pull more cars than the real Bowker.  As a word of caution - attempting to pull too many cars may cause the traction tire equipped driver to break loose from the axle or overheat the motor.

The most appropriate cars to use with the Bowker would be wooden open platform passenger cars and truss rod freight cars such as those sold in Bachmann's old timer 4-4-0 train sets.

Traindude is correct!

Perhaps my previous entry was too easy.  This one is my own photograph.

The green and white locomotive is a CP&LT GE 44 tonner.  Most 44 tonners have steps on the ends rather than the sides.

This machine spent its entire career working for the original owner and never left the state.

That 4-4-0 looks a lot like a CB&Q inspection engine.

Based on the announced price, one could conclude the B&O Royal Blue 4-4-0 is a standard quality "golden spike" locomotive with a new paint scheme.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=557
or
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=558

One might be able to backdate the Spectrum 4-4-0 to the 1890's or perhaps the mid 1880's.  The further back in time you go the more of the model you will need to replace to get a convincing result.

It all depends on your personal objective, but the AHM/IHC/Rivarossi or even the Bachmann old timer 4-4-0 would be a better choice if you want an 1870's style locomotive.  A Mantua General might be worthy of consideration too.  The problem is all of these except the Bachmann are out of production.

Performance-wise, the AHM/IHC/Rivarossi engines do tend to run poorly with their original motor.  If you are willing to install a good motor such as a Sagami or NWSL, these engines will run very nicely.  I have found the purple box IHC old timer 4-4-0s don't always have good contact between the driver pickups and the cover plate (easy to fix).

The newest version of the Bachmann old timer 4-4-0 should run well if it is reworked to pickup electricity from more wheels, and perhaps with a better motor too.