I saw an old episode of the PBS series Tracks Ahead over the weekend. As far as I know there is nothing like this in American railway preservation.


There is the Midland railway Centre at Butterley which owns and operates several steam engines over a section of branch line that they have restored.

They host another group called the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust. This is what the PBS story was about. In 1933 the London, Midlands & Scottish built a very successful class of 4-6-2 main line passenger locomotives. The Trust own and operate the Princess Margaret Rose # 6203.

What makes the story unusual is that in 1938 a pair of look a like locomotives at 2/5 scale and 21 inch gauge were built for operation at holiday camps. Although they are powered by Diesels they are amazingly convincing.

AND THEY STILL EXIST!

After spending many years in two different scrap yards, the replicas were purchased by a Trust menber from the John Wright scrap yard. The Trust has up to now restored one of the lovomotives and some of the open passenger cars. The other is missing more parts so more time and money are still needed.

The complete story is at the web site of the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust web site.

Be sure to scroll down to see the photo of the mother locomotive and her daughter.

Have you ever heard of anything like it?

Ted Miles

The vintage live steam Pacifics of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway in southeastern England are basically 1/4-sized "replicas" of the LNER Gresley Pacifics--built not long after the real things. Do they count?

I think I remember reading somewhere that a museum here in the States had a replica NYC Hudson actually built by ALCO.

I think it is owned by the Albany Inst of Hist and Art (Albany, NY).
Painted wood, made by apprentices I recall.

Yes, I would say that the Romney, hythe mineature railroad is one of the best known less than 24 inch rail lines.

I have seen pictures of it; I am not sure if thier locomotives are models of real steam locomotive designs or just something home built.

they are steam; they run on a schedule and carry passengers for real like the full size lines do.

Ted

According to the histories of the RH&DR that I have, the initial 4-6-2 locos were specifically patterned to "replicate" the Gresley Pacifics in miniature, although some real-world practical liberties were taken.

They were designed to replicate the Gresley locos and other types that were in use, such as their 2-10-0s which were used in gravel service. The big difference is that unlike most other miniature railways, the RH&DR was built as an actual, working railway. They also operated a coastal defense armoured train during World War Two.