Most steam locomotives displayed a face that was a successful blend of functionality and eye-appealing design.  And some, well – functionality was the undeniable, overpowering trait. More so after 1920 when mechanical engineers devised different appliances, all designed to improve the performance of the basic steam locomotive designs that dominated the rails. The larger the locomotive, the greater the need for steam which in turn demanded more efficient production of steam. The locomotive superheater, mounted within the boiler, started the process by converting wet steam into superheated, or dry steam.  The feedwater heater was developed to, simply stated, preheat the colder water from the tender to assist steaming properties and the increase the constant availability of steam, important elements of the in-service, efficiency and performance of steam locomotives.

 

Feedwater heaters functioned well but many railroads repulsed the appliance due to the added expense. Three feedwater heaters dominated the market: Elesco mounted on top, front of the smokebox, Worthington mounted on the side of the locomotive (also offered top-mounted versions) and Coffin. Of the three, the Coffin design, mounted on the top front of the locomotive smokebox, was the most distinctive and to some, visually disturbing since it created a long, arched covering over the top half of the smokebox front that looked like a heavy eyebrow. Despite the purported qualities of the Coffin design, few railroads were willing to take the plunge and convert to Coffin feedwater heaters. One exception was the Boston & Maine.

 

The New York Central-controlled Boston & Albany was the first railroad to extensively test the Lima Locomotive Works 2-8-4 locomotive in #1, that featured an Elesco feedwater heater, in 1925. Since the B&A employed the Berkshire locomotives through the operationally-challenging region of the like-named hills, the 2-8-4-wheel arrangement was christened the “Berkshire”. While on the B&A, the Boston & Maine also tested the design and later placed orders for the 2-8-4 design but specified Coffin as opposed to Elesco feedwater heaters – giving their fleet that distinctive front end with the dark shadow caused by heavy eyebrow of the feedwater heater.

 

Broadway Limited Imports has released a commanding model of the distinctive B&M “Berkshires” and latter-day paint schemes of two railroads that purchased secondhand 2-8-4 locomotives from the B&M; The Santa Fe and Southern Pacific.

 

The Broadway Limited Model features:

All-new Paragon4 Sound System

Synchronized Puffing Smoke and Chuffing sound – accurate for the sound of the B&M locomotives

Precision Drive Mechanism with smooth, slow speed control

Premium painting and lettering

Separate and controllable headlight, classification lights, marker lights and cab lights

Infinite number of applied details, appropriate for a specific locomotive/road design

 

Now is the time to add one of these steam-age classics to your roster! Our selection is complete, our pricing is competitive, our focus on professionally processing your order is always in the forefront followed by our sincere thanks for your continuing patronage!

 

 

Frank Wrabel

modeltrainstuff.com