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This engine was commissioned in 1917 during Woodrow Wilson's presidency. After World War I the USRA 2-6-6-2
Mallet was used for commerce related endeavors. The first Mallet was manufactured by Schenectory Works to
the Chesapeake & Ohio. The larger cylinders in the front received their steam from the rear cylinders as
exhaust steam. This ensured the proper amount of thrust steam and on the protype was significantly larger
than the rear set of cylinders. Steam was carried by the external piping which can easily been seen on the
model.
Specifications: Total weight = 448,000 lbs. Drivers=358,000 lbs. Tractive effort compound=80,000 lbs.
Single tractive effort=96,000 lbs. Prototype had low and high pressure cyclinders( not modeled as such).
Comments on the BRASS Model:
This model was a basket case from the beginning. Many pieces were
missing and had to be bought or in many cases made. I even bought another model of the same vintage
so that I didn't divert too much from the orignal. Additional brass leaf springs,piping,valves,
were purchased from Precision Scale Company. A can motor with flywheel was used in place of the
original OFM. This was my first experience using resistance soldering; so it was quite a change in
handling brass to brass without destroying adjacent soldered pieces. There are several modifications made on the model. Overfire jets are visible on both sides of the firebox.
Piping from the rear cyclinders extend to the front of the boiler(PSC) were added in lieu of none available
as original AKANE type. All piping is hand soldered and modeled after the Cheasapeake and Ohio 2-6-6-2.
Note:** 1966-1967 - GEM imported Akane shows this same model with brake shoes, prototypical large and small cylinders
,both sections powered by OFM, and connected with rubber tubing as in the 2-8-8-2 USRA.
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