Buying their first Mallet from Baldwin in 1906, the Great Northern certainly wasn't shy about articulated locomotives! In the 1920s, many GN articulateds were converted to "simple"s. In 1925 the NP took delivery of four new 2-8-8-2s from Baldwin for mainline use in Montana. The first Class R's impressed GN engineering enough to have their own shops erect another 10 R-1s in 1927-1928, copying the Baldwin design. These were followed in 1929-1930 by 16 more improved GN-built locomotives (Class R-2)! Most of the GN 2-8-8-2s ran through the end of steam operations.

We at the Division Point just love articulateds. As usual, Division Point and Boo-Rim will offer this LIMITED EDITION project in different numbers of both classes. Lighting is included and these will be DCC-ready. With a limited number of pieces to be produced, you are well advised to contact your dealer to reserve yours!

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.

- Articulated Steam Engines of North America Volume 1 by Robert A. LeMassena (1979, Sundance Publications, Silverton, CO)

- Also, thanks to the NP, SP&S and GN Historical Societies for preserving the data!