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Latest Railroading Updates (click the date to jump to the related page)

May 30, 2004

Added photos of the mountains I painted on the backdrop at the engine terminal.

April 25, 2004

Added photos of the newly primed backdrop behind the engine terminal.

April 25, 2004

Added photos of the newly painted lighting valence above the engine terminal.

April 21, 2004

Added information on the Cascade Section House.

April 21, 2004

Added information on the Thurmont Freight House.

Prototype Locomotive Manufacturer	Baldwin
Model Manufacturer	Bachmann Industries
Model Run	WM Decorated. DCC Ready.
Scale	HO
Date Acquired	July 2002

I love steam engines, but it is difficult to find Western Maryland prototypes in plastic.  Many of the engines currently available (or previously available) in plastic with a "WM" logo on them are either completely made up, or not very close to the prototype.  One exception is the Bachmann decapod.  This little guy is close enough for me :-)

The Western Maryland had two different types of decapods : The I-1 "Russian" decapod, and the enormous I-2 Decapods.  The Bachmann model is a representation of the Russian, or I-1. The I-1 was typically used for work around the terminal (spotting coal hoppers at the engine terminal coal loader, for example) and other general clean-up work.  It wasn't really powerful enough for mainline use, although I understand it was used for a short time in that capacity (I would need to check references).  The Russian was a rough rider, but a capable small locomotive. 

The Bachmann engine runs pretty smoothly, and seems to have decent pulling power without the addition of traction wheels.  I will clean up and fill in some detail on this guy and then weather it up.

For reference, here's a link to a photo of the real thing:

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/wm1108s.jpg

And here is the bachmann decapod before any work was done.  As you can see, body-wise the locomotive is a good match.  The tender decaling is a bit overscale, however, and at least in the photo above, there is no fireball on the prototype.

More photos coming as the model progresses!