This little beauty was built from a Little Engines kit, and is the gauge (7-1/2") that will run on the Auburn Valley.
The 4-4-0 wheel configuration, made in ever-increasing size from the 1850's through the 1910's far outnumbered all other
American designs, at least before 1900. 4-4-0's were called "Americans" and for good reason. They fought the Civil War,
opened up the West, and achieved the world speed record in 1893 on the "Empire State Express", 112 m.p.h. This completed
model was bought by Clarence Marshall and given to Tom for Christmas in the early 1960's. It has run on our railroad, but
only a couple of times, as it is tedious to fire and requires attention about 1/3 way around the loop. Full-sized
"Americans" are scarce now, especially originals running on tourist railroads. The Wilmington & Western
has one, #98, built by Alco in 1909, which has recently undergone a complete restoration costing nearly $500,000.
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