IHC Premier 34017 GN 4-4-0 American Standard Locomotive

In the early days of railroading, the U.S. was an untamed, sparsely populated wilderness. Capital was in short supply, forcing railroads to cross vast amounts of territory as cheaply as possible. Meandering routes characterized by rough roadbed, steep grades and sharp curves were the rule. Typically avoided were expensive cuts, fills and tunnels. As the railroads grew, so did their need for motive power. The few locomotives which could be imported from England each year could not meet the demand. America desperately needed a powerful, reliable and inexpensive home-built locomotive.

The 4-4-0 wheel arrangement was originated by Henry Campbell, chief engineer of the Philadelphia, Germantown & Norristown Railway, in 1836. Like its predecessors, it was little more than a boiler on wheels. Over the next 15 years, many modifications were tried with very few being successful. In 1852 Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor of Patterson, New Jersey combined the best of these ideas and produced the design which would define locomotive construction for almost a century. Other major American builders, most notably Baldwin, Norris, Hinkley and Schenectady, quickly adopted the Rogers 4-4-0 design. Dubbed the "American Standard" locomotive and later simply as "American", with over 25,000 produced, it dominated U.S. rails for more than 30 years.

Many of these locomotives, like this spectacular NEW MRRHQ Collectible HO Scale IHC Premier 34017 GN 4-4-0 "American" Locomotive, were colorfully painted with ornate scroll work and gleaming brass fittings. A few 4-4-0 locomotives have been preserved for public display and are frequently used in the filming of western movies.

FEATURES:

• Upgraded New C-9 Mint Condition with Good Original Box.
• Test Track run time only.
• MRRHQ Locomotive Works serviced, tested and certified.
• Rare Numbered Oval Headlamp Housing.
• Upgraded w/MRRHQ Custom AcuGlow Operating Headlamp.
• One-piece boilers, engine covers, cabs and tenders of pressure-cast high impact plastic.
• Steel main and side rods and guides.
• Brass stack, hand rails, fittings, coupler lift bars, sand pipes and headlight mount.
• Many additional fine details.
• Powerful state-of-the-art can motor.
• Scale 60" Drivers.
• Easy rolling steel needle point truck axles.
• Upgraded with rear Kadee Knuckle Coupler.
• Upgraded w/Engineer Figure in the Cab.
• Optional Upgrades Available:
  • TCS MC2-KAC Standard DCC Decoder Installed
• Production Year Unlisted.

HO Scale 1:87

Dimensions: Locomotive 4 7/8 x 1 x 1 7/8" Tender 2 3/4 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/2"