Any old Roundhouse/MDC catalog collectors out here?

Dan:

I have an undated MDC catalog that is probably from the era mentioned, but the only thing that I could find was a photo of a kitbashed inspection engine. It looks like one of their 0-4-0 swtichers with a slope back tender and a partial Overton coach body mounted on the engine. I scanned the photo and have placed it here so you can have a look:

I have a couple old Roundhouse catalogs, but they apparently predate your period of interest and do not include the drawing you want. As an alternative, have you tried looking for photos of similar prototypes? Your description could fit three types of locomotives:

o Inspection Engines - typically a 4-2-4T wheel arrangement with a passenger coach-like enclosure over most of the boiler. Some were other wheel arrangements and some had tenders - Erie RR #1 was a 4-4-0 tender loco with a body that was the spitting image of the MDC Overton coach. Many others were of earlier vintage and had "lighter" appearing bodies which might be better matched by a Civil War-era coach body. Note however that since inspection locos were designed to show the RR to executives sitting in the body, these locos rarely if ever hauled any additional cars.

o Steam Dummies - typically 0-4-0T or 2-4-0T wheel arrangements and very short coach like bodies. Most often used on city streets hauling early streetcar-type coach trailers before street railways electrified (the body over the loco was supposed to calm passing horses), but some were later sold second hand to logging RRs and other lines for industrial use.

o Steam Cars - These were essentially the equivalent of the later gas-electrics, but powered by a pivoting 0-4-0 or 2-4-0 steam engine as the front truck. Some were short like the MDC Overton cars, while others were

60' to 70' long - I used an old Ambroid combine to kitbash a near match to the beautiful Detroit & Lima Northern (a DT&I predecessor) #100. As with inspection engines, steam cars rarely would have hauled additional cars.

What type are you interested in? Gary Q

That sounds like an Inspection Engine, used to take the RR bigwigs around to inspect the line.

I did a quick Google search for images with "inspection engine", "inspection locomotive" and found a few pictures. A more thorough search might turn up something you'd like.

The keyword "inspection engine" doesn't register on the Model Train Magazine Index. The more basic "inspection", however, yields a variety of articles. Some of these are certainly in the desired area. Try RMC July, 1960 p.40 and RMC April, 1961 p.38 as possible guides for a similar project. I'm sure other, related articles are also shown. Hope this helps.

Jerry

I would have sworn that it was a drawing, but that is certainly what I was talking about. Thank you very much!

dlm

Thanks to all of you who replied. With your help I was able to locate the pictures that I needed.

Thanks again!

dlm