Mantua 329-40 Southern Class Ms-4 2-8-2 Mikado Locomotive #4800 with Synchro-Steam Sound HO Scale

Coming from a time of expensive and, often, not undertaken research, this Mantua 329-40 arrived with the random and fanciful Road Number 217 to which I said "Nay, Nay". Being one of the most successful and renowned of all Mikados, the Southern Ms-1 - Ms-4 Class Mikados, I renumbered this rare loco #4800, the first of the legendary Ms-4 "Mikes", making this already rare Synchro-Steam "Mike" truly one-of-a-kind.

"The 166 Ms-4s delivered between 1923 and 1928 represent the high-water mark of Southern 2-8-2s. Based on the USRA heavy Mike, the Ms-4 quickly became the standard mainline freight locomotive between Alexandria and Atlanta, Chattanooga and Macon, and several other arteries on the Southern proper. Ms-4s also served as the standard freighters on subsidiaries Alabama Great Southern and Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific. Their preeminence on the hottest freight assignments lasted until after World War II, and they were considered suitable for occasional passenger duty." (From: "Guide to North American Steam Locomotives" compiled by the late George H. Drury.)

Mantua Synchro-Steam Sound Mikados were the most full featured "Mikes" offered for their time. Featuring our MRRHQ Custom Directional Tender Lighting and Working Front Knuckle Coupler, neither ever offered by Mantua, and our Syncro-Sound "Mikes" are the most full featured EVER offered.