Mantua Classics 389002 Santa Fe 0-6-0 B7a Goat Camelback Switcher

Camelbacks, also known as Mother Hubbards were first built by the Philadelphia and Reading’s shops in 1877 and were a common sight in the anthracite coal regions of the US in the late 19 ^th and early 20^th Century. To take advantage of the available wealth of fuel, John E. Wooten developed the large, wide Wooten firebox to effectively burn anthracite waste that was both plentiful and cheap. Because of its efficient use of coal as a fuel the Camelback design was later adopted by railroads in the west and mid-west.

As the successful trailing truck used to support large fireboxes had not yet been developed, the Wooten firebox had to be mounted above the driving wheels which also improved traction. The problem now arose that, with a cab mounted at the then standard tender deck height, it would be impossible for the engineer to see forward around the firebox. Instead, a cab for the engineer was placed above and astride the boiler providing visibility and giving the Camelback it name. The fireman stood on the rear deck, covered by a small shelter, when firing the boiler. While the Camelback was designed for fast freight service, it was later used for hauling suburban trains.

Mantua Camelbacks, Goats B7a's and B8a's are some of the most interesting, desirable, rare and just plain cool model locomotives ever offered.

FEATURES:

• DCC ready (9 pin plug).
• Heavy duty MC-94 can motor produces excellent low speed operation and pulling power! Heavy die cast chassis.
• Die cast cylinders.
• Die cast wheels with nickel rims.
• Replaceable brass bearings.
• Metal valve gear and handrails.
• 3 piece brass bell.
• Front and rear diode lighting.
• Knuckle couplers with coil springs.
• Accurately molded body shells prototypically painted black with crisp silver print:
• Optional Upgrades Available*
  • TCS T-1 Standard DCC Decoder Installed.
  • TCS T-1KA Standard DCC Decoder w/Keep Alive Installed.
  • TCS WOWSound 101 DCC/Sound Decoder Installed.*

• Mantua Catalog 2001+.

Dimensions: 7"L x 2 1/8"T x 1 1/4"W

HO Scale 1:87