Things usually starts very harmless...

[Sumpter250]

Hello!

On rr-fallenflags i found photos of the USRA 2-6-6-2:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wle/wle-s8002vaa.jpg">http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/wle/wle-s8002vaa.jpg</a><!-- m -->
At the first glance, the deviations between the spectrum W&LE model an the photo from 1935:
- small steps on pilot and USRA boiler tube pilot
- handrails on pilot deck
- smokebox door horizontal
- position of marker lights
- shorter tender?
There are far less bashing necessary to get the Spectrum W&LE 8007 model closer to prototype than the C&O 1524.
The Spectrum C&O #1524 looks to me a more generic model. It is more to the as delivered status with some modifications. And i don't know what C&O shops really did on modifications and basing with their engines. I seems to become a mystery as long as no photos of this USRA engines on her later years are avialable.
The W&LE #8007 is not so mysterious. Photos show me what to do to get her as close to to prototype as i could make her with my skills.
@sumpter
I did not know anything about the Akane brass model. Is it possible for you to make an photo? Greetings Lutz

That ^ photo, looks just like the Akane, which I have lettered for the wrong road!!! The Akane is a Baldwin, and was exclusive to the Wheeling and Lake Erie ( the photo link has WLE in it )......which also means that the Bachmann is probably more correct for the C&O. I got caught using only one reference, without photo verification. :oops: :oops:
I'd still like to see an actual photo of a C&O H-5.
Anyway, the Bachmann is the top, and the Akane is below it:
   
I would expect the cab to be the straight front USRA design.