MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

By the late 1940's, the New York Central railroad had ordered or already owned 600 diesel locomotives. The railroad's future was set and it would seem that it didn't include a part for steam locomotives. So it is with raised eyebrow that historians look back on the railroad's decision to create the A-2 Berkshire steam locomotive in 1947. Perhaps the decision was a last grasp to continue the steam era before dieselization overran motive power, or more cynically, an overture to coal interests that may have guided the New York Central's motive power department's decision making. Regardless, the creation of the 2-8-4 A-2 three years after the S-1 Niagara failed to stem the tide of dieselization, earned it the distinction of being the last steam engine class to be built for the NYC or its subsidiaries. Like the S-1, the A-2 sports similar lines and appearances to its earlier cousin. These huge locomotives relied on massive boiler capacity rather than efficiency gadgets seen on other late steam era locomotives. Consequently they were not all that appreciated by their crews during their short eight year history. The A-2 marks the fifth prototypical recreation of a classic New York Central steam locomotive in the M.T.H. Premier Line. Like the three Hudson and one Niagara models that came before the A-2, this all-new die-cast locomotive is built to scale proportions and features the most realistic and easy-to-use operating features found on any O Gauge locomotive available today. Did You Know? The A-2 Berkshire was the last mainline steam locomotive ordered by the NYC and saw service in Indianapolis, Cincinnati and southeastern Pennsylvania.