My understanding is that WP did have exact copies of the USRA 2-8-2, but
only for about two years around WWI. IIRC, they were lights and were
eventually sold to Wabash.

It hardly counts though. ;-)

By the way, is the Rivarossi 2-8-2 model (not the IHC) a light or heavy?

I'm more interested in the possibility of detailing the Bachmann 4-8-2 to a
#170 class WP engine. These were the former Florida East Coast engines that
WP bought during the depression era. A cursory look shows that the FEC
engines have some dimensional differences from the USRA, particularly the
driver size (69" vs. 72" I think). Perhaps a Bowser kit would be a better
start?

Thomas Beutel

The current Rivarossi ones (with RP25 wheels) are heavy Mikes.
I believe in the old days, they made both, and the light became
the IHC one.

As for WP, the 2-8-2 lasted for a short time, but they may have
gotten the Elesco feedwater heater.

I remember when I had the Sunset light Mike, I was considering this
option, but I never worked with brass, so eventually I sold it for
SP steam. But now, with the Athearn boiler in plastic, the possibilities
are many.

As for the 4-8-2, check out Frisco 1522 stats:

http://members.aol.com/slsta/1522stat.htm

It shows 69" drivers. You can check the pictures for an idea of their
size. A friend of mine said that the difference is not very noticeable
between 69" and 72".

I would wait till the engine is out to compare it to the Bowser kit. If the
difference is minimal, I would go with the Bachmann and modify the
accessories to make into a WP one. (again, plastic is better that metal
to make modifications big and small)

Cheers
Leo

From: Thomas Beutel <Thomas.Beutel@efi.com>

My understanding is that WP did have exact copies of the USRA 2-8-2, but
only for about two years around WWI. IIRC, they were lights and were
eventually sold to Wabash.

It hardly counts though. ;-)

By the way, is the Rivarossi 2-8-2 model (not the IHC) a light or heavy?

I'm more interested in the possibility of detailing the Bachmann 4-8-2 to

a

#170 class WP engine. These were the former Florida East Coast engines

that

WP bought during the depression era. A cursory look shows that the FEC
engines have some dimensional differences from the USRA, particularly the
driver size (69" vs. 72" I think). Perhaps a Bowser kit would be a better
start?

Thomas Beutel