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Sep 10, 2008 - HO Scale

Division Point Announces NP (SP&S) Class A-2 & A-3 4-8-4 Northern Steamers in Brass

 

Steam Locomotives
NP Monad®

Northern Pacific (SP&S)
Class A-2 and A-3
4-8-4 Northerns

 SP+S Herald®

During the 1930s, and in need of heavy passenger power, the NP aquired the first of their truly "modern" 4-8-4s. "Modern" steam locomotives utilized high capacity boilers, roller bearings, integrally cast steel frames and cylinders, and boosters, and were designed for horsepower at speed. In 1933 and 1934, and again in 1938, the Northern Pacific took delivery of 18 4-8-4 "Northerns". Built by Baldwin, these were delivered in two nearly identical classes: A-2 (#2650-2629) and A-3 (#2660-2667). Tenders were "semi-Vanderbilt" type 1F riding on 2 six-wheel trucks, with a capacity of 20,000-gallons of water and 27-tons of coal.

Designed for heavy passenger service, most A-2s and A-3s ended their lives in freight service. They worked in all the NP's divisions, and ran on the NP's on low-quality coal and lasted though the end of steam. All were scrapped by 1958.

Not unexpectedly, the SP&S ordered 3 A-3s (#700-702), and as usual, modified for oil-firing. The Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in different numbers of both classes. The SP&S versions will also be offered. As is usual, lighting is included. A limited number of pieces to be produced! You are well advised to contact your dealer to reserve yours! Road numbers will soon be selected, so watch this page!

NP Northern

As usual, we are indebted to those folks who publish the information and photos we need. We urge you to buy their books and photos.
  • Northern Pacific Supersteam Era 1925-1945 by Robert L. Frey & Lorenz P. Schrenk (1985, Golden West Books, San Marino, CA)
  • Northern Pacific Color Pictorial - Volume 1 by Joseph W. Shine (1994, Four Ways West Publications, La Miranda, CA)
  • S.P.&S.: The Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway by Ed Austin & Tom Dill (1996, Pacific Fast Mail, Edmonds, WA)
  • Spokane, Portland & Seattle Ry. by Charles & Dorothy Wood (1974, Superior Publishing Co., Seattle, WA)
Baldwin-built (1933-1934) Class A-2, Northern Pacific Road Numbers 2650-2659

 DP-8401 NP A-2,A-3 Northerns: NP Class A-2 4-8-4 (Series 2650-2659) with 1F 20,000-gal,27-ton coal tender
as-delivered number boards/plates
NP #2650 DP-8402 NP A-2,A-3 Northerns: NP Class A-2 4-8-4 (Series 2650-2659) with 1F 20,000-gal,27-ton coal tender
large flying number boards
Baldwin-built (1938) Class A-3, Northern Pacific Road Numbers 2660-2667
NP #2553 DP-8404 NP A-2,A-3 Northerns: NP Class A-3 4-8-4 (Series 2660-2667) with 1F 20,000-gal,27-ton coal tender
as-delivered number boards/plates

 DP-8405 NP A-2,A-3 Northerns: NP Class A-3 4-8-4 (Series 2660-2667) with 1F 20,000-gal,27-ton coal tender
large flying number boards
Baldwin-built (1938) Class E-1, Spokane Portland & Seattle Road Numbers 700-702, oil-fired

 DP-8408 NP A-2,A-3 Northerns: SP&S Class E-1 4-8-4 (Series 700-702) with 1F 20,000-gal oil tender
large flying number boards

Railroad line logos shown are copyrighted, and are the property of the company such logo represents, or it's successors or assigns. Photos may be copyrighted and remain the property of the owner. Division Point, Inc. uses photos and logos for informational purposes only.

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