I was just looking through the NRHS Annual Activities Report for 1982 and saw a photo of a very detailed N&W Class J large model (maybe quarter scale) being used as a parade float for the Roanoke Chapter NRHS. It seems that I recall reading somewhere that Timken had made such a model to use for advertising back in the 1940/50s but I can't find a reference to that now. Do any of our RYPN readers have any details on this model? Gary Gray do you know? Also, was it preserved? If so, where is it now?

Matt Helton

I remember seeing a large model J like you describe in the ''old'' Roanoke Transportation Museum when I visited there in early '83. It may have been a casualty of the big flood of Nov. '85, which resulted in the Museum relocating.

Matt, It was a casualty of the flood of '85. The wheels & rods were metal and had actual "Timken" bearings, but the superstructure was mostly thin plywood. A few parts from it are left in storage in the shop end of the VMT building.

This large model was on display at Owosso in 2009.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2469858

If that's an actual working live steamer as opposed to mockup with smoke device, what kind of valve gear does it have?

Steve

Steve, I've seen that one also, it was on display at VMT last year along with a 7 1/2 guage model. The big one is actually a "steam outline" model, the tender houses a gasoline engine, and I think a hydrostatic transmission.

Hi Steve

The value gear looks like a new design of the Baker value gear , Pat

> what kind of valve gear does it have?

I'm going to guess "non-functional". Other parts look a bit simplified as well, it doesn't have the typical live steam details.