Description
The Chesapeake and Ohio was one of the last roads to receive 2-8-4s. Named Kanawhas on the Chessie, the K-4 class saw service system-wide on freight trains of all types from 1943 until 1957. Their service lives were shortened by the coming of diesels, not by any fault of their own. Indeed, the C&O returned to Alco and Lima for five orders of their own and pulled additional models from the Pere Marquette. Thankfully, the C&O donated a dozen to cities upon retirement.C&O 2716, 2727, 2732 and 2736 all represent the first batch of Kanawhas delivered from Alco in 1943. In recognition of her past, and with great anticipation to her return, we're offering #2716 spruced up with polished rods, gloss paint and a modern Pyle headlight. Her sisters will wear a more standard matte finish with darkened rods appropriate for their appearance in the 1940s. C&O 2699 represents a former Pere Marquette locomotive, complete with proper PM details and a short-lived "C&O for Progress" tender. We're also offering a unique "fantasy" paint scheme based on the C&O's streamlined locomotives. It was so popular in O, we felt the HO crowd might appreciate it as well!
