Nickel Plate Road Class S-2 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Locomotive In HO Scale Project Announcement
Cardinal River Models LLC is pleased to present our first product announcement: the Nickel Plate Road Class S-2 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Locomotive in 1:87 HO Scale.
This project has been in development since 2020 and has definitely been an adventure. The model will be made from a comprehensive 3D Laser Scan of 765 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and from the original Lima and Nickel Plate Road engineering drawings. Truly every detail of the Nickel Plate Road S-2 Class has been thoroughly analyzed.
The model will have top level details never before seen on an HO model (brass or otherwise) of the Nickel Plate Road S-2 series and a revolutionary underside cylinder steam effect made possible by the ESU LokSound designed smoke unit that will be placed in each model.
The S-2 model is currently in the latest stages of CAD and tooling will commence soon. PreOrders have opened for the model and it is important to note there are only plans to produce a quantity of models to PreOrders received. Please visit this page to view and reserve in your name (with no funds down) one of these fine tributes to American steam locomotive history today!
Cardinal River Models firmly believes this will be the best model ever produced of a Nickel Plate Road Class S-2 2-8-4 in HO 1:87 Scale. Possibly any scale.
It should also be noted that the auxiliary water tender VMTX 250001 and Tool Car RPCX 701 were also scanned and that early CAD work has begun on both of those models respectively. Troop Kitchen versions of the RPCX 701 car will be made available as part of the project, so be sure to watch for these respective announcements!
Super standout features of the model will be: Rotating Roller Bearing Caps Where Appropriate On Modern 765. Underside Cylinder Steam Effect Synchronized To Decoder Sounds (yes this was already mentioned). These are both industry first offerings for the U.S HO 1:87 Scale market.
Model Features are as follows:
ESU LokSound V5 DCC Decoder
Synchronized Puffing Smoke
Synchronized Underside Cylinder Steam (US 1:87 Scale Industry First)!
Diecast Alloy Frame, Chassis, Cab, Boiler and Tender
Powerful 5 Pole Skew Wound Motor With Flywheel
Sprung Drive Wheels
Traction Tire Equipped Intermediate Drive Wheel
RP25 Wheel Contours
Conforms to All Applicable NMRA Standards
Removable "Extra" Flags Next To Number Boards
Correct Nickel Plate Road Style Number Boards With Illumination
Front Headlight And Rear Tender Backup Light
Correct Pyle National Headlight Arrangement With Visor
Illuminated Classification lights of Red/Green/Clear
Correct Turbogenerator arrangement
Correct Placement of 50s ERA Turbo-Alternator on Engineers Side
Correct Advisory Mechanical Committee Forked Main Rod
Overfire Jets As Appropriate
Cab Rear Curtain Correct Length
Accurate Notch On The Firemans Side Inner Running Board Step Support For Removal Of Airpump Shuttle Valve. (First time in HO)
Accurately Depicted Nathan 4000 Injector Under Cab Right With Cab Floor Valve and Lever
Late and Early Side Rods
Late and Early Air Reservoirs
Auxiliary Pill Air Reservoir
Late and Early Bell
Late and Early Bell mount
Late and Early Steam Dome
Steam Line and Steam Line Connection
ATS (Automatic Train Stop) Equipment Where Appropriate: Shoe, Box, Conduit
Correct 'Horseshoe' Shape of SmokeStack with Auxiliary Exhaust Ports
Correct Brake Master Cylinder
Correct retrofitted ALCO Power Reverse
Correct Blowdown "Skirt": NKP shop fitted and LIMA versions
Correct Boiler Band Arrangement
Correct Sand Line Arrangement
Correct Engine Truck
Correct Drive wheels
Cab Front Smoke Inspection Port Style Windows
Conduit Boxes on Cab Front
Correct Conduit Routing
In Cab Detail
Cab Side Vent Detail
Cab Roof Hatch Detail Accurately Depicted
Correct Leaf and Coil Spring Detail
Fireman Side Hot Water Pump Exhaust
Fireman Side Vertical Step Stanchion To Clear AirPump Boss
Detroit and Nathan Lubricators Respectively
'Valve Oil' Plaque Legible on Engineer Side Nathan DV7 Lubricator
Rocking Lever for Valve Oil Driveline
Accurate Arrangement For Fireman Side Cold Water Pump
Correct Cold Water Piping
Full Underside Locomotive Detail
Correct Mars Light Arrangement
Correct Legible Builders and Trust Plates of: LIMA, NKP Trust and ELESCO Superheater CO.
Correct Tender fittings including but not limited to: Radio, Safety Chains on Trucks, Wrecking Chain, Toolbox, Rack for Rerailer, Rerailers
Correct Coal Board Arrangement on Tender Front
Correct Buckeye Steel Casting Company Trucks
Correct Conduit Lines on Tender Sides
Tender Front Underside Water Valves
Full Underside Tender Detail
Recommended Minimum Radius is 22" but should be able to navigate 18" under slow speeds.
Authentic Lettering and Paint Where Appropriate
Featuring Sounds Recorded From 765 in 2022
(Please check back as this list may develop)
Thank you so much for viewing this page and website. Without support from fellow rail enthusiasts there is no way this project would be possible or materialize!
Happy modeling ~ Cardinal River Models LLC
Even with our substantial data some old fashioned hand measurements still needed to be taken in order to secure every dimension!