This extraordinary model, again, is brilliant. There is such a dearth of first generation steam that if you really wanted it you'd have to go out an make it yourself. Not cheap, but worth every penny. An heirloom piece. Seen here at Crusty's layout, which I like to say is a prime example of old old school. Track upon carpet, how much more vintage can you get? We took the opportunity to unbox this gem and gently break her in, 30 minutes in each direction, before turning her loose with a string of appropriate coaches.
The back story with Crusty is that he is a professional train driver for one of the Big Four for the last couple of decades. He started on the track gang and moved his way through the various "crafts," as they are called, and now drives 15,000 ton trains back and forth. His rather large collection represents some nostalgic throw backs, like the Super Chief, but very often an example of every road name and sort of rolling stock he has encountered. To say this fellow has rail roading in his blood, through and through, is no understatement.
Soon to be placed into revenue service as an excursion train. Anxiously awaiting a few Victorian re-enactors to populate the third class wagons. One imagines the actual participants got quite a toasting from hot embers, in the day.