Lionel is producing a limited edition model of the 1830 "Best Friend of Charleston" for sale only on their web site, www.lionel.com. It is 0-27 gauge, and consists of the engine, tender and one coach for $349.99, and an extra coach for $64.99. The Charleston Chapter National Railway Historical Society (CCNRHS) helped provide drawings to Lionel of the replica, measure the replica, and provide information about the history. Visit the CCNRHS website bestfriendofcharleston.org.

Pete

Reply to Bachmann and Seasaltchap;  Lionel and I'll see if i can find a picture of the Best Friend or model. Look at our website, http://bestfriendofcharleston.org for a good picture of the replica.

One of Bachmann's competitors is working on an operating "O" scale model of the Best Friend of Charleston (1830). It may be a limited edition with only a few hundred built. We, the Charleston Chapter National Railway Historical Society (CCNRHS) is helping them with the details that may slightly differ between the replica, here in Charleston, SC, and the original that ran in 1830. We are not exactly sure when it will be out, but may be later this year. CCNRHS will probably provide a brochure or pamphlet telling the history of the Best Friend. The company made 5 non working models in 2005 for the 175 anniversary of Southern Railway, with the display of the Best Friend at Wall St, new York, December 17th, 2005. CCNRHS has one of the non working models. The working models will include the coaches, which the non working model did no include. I hope it will come out as a "starter set' with track and transformer.

Pete