A quick history of our model RR decisions/pursuits, and then some related questions ...
A while back, we shifted our modeling preference from the upper east coast to the west, southwest, and mid west region(s). The terrain for modeling [10 years of residence in Santa Barbara], the engine paint schemes, and the available model offerings were simply too tempting.
We decided to forgo concerns of era and railroad viability so we could create a fictitious, model, railroad [still in the paper stage] that allowed the ATSF, the BN, the Burlington, and the UP to interact [exchange commodities via interchnages]. However, upon further exposure to the many [HO Scale] steam engines available, we are also enamored with the steam engine offerings of the SOUTHERN PACIFIC: specifically the Cab Forward. Therefore, we'd like to add that steam engine to our collection.
If I could purchase a BLI version w/o sound, I would do so. I am a little surprised that BLI does not offer a version w/o sound much like Atlas offers engines w/ or w/o DCC. It seems that our only choice is to buy the Rivarossi model which has received favorable comments from owners.
*** 2-8-8-2 conclusion:I am going to remove the lettering from our 2-8-8-2 and our 0-6-0 to create unlettered possessions of both the ATSF and UP. They can share the 2-8-8-2 as a coal hauler and/or a low priority freight hauler. It can disappear and re-appear from hidden staging thus allowing it to assume a new identity upon each showing. The 0-6-0 will assume a switching assignment for the UP.
*** Union Pacific Fruit Train Express [PFE]:Could we actually use a Southern Pacific CAB FORWARD for this role [era not being a concern]? I ask because the most recent MR [1/04] has a Cab Forward hauling a PFE in their large foldout.
*** The 0-6-0 steam engine:Did either the UP or the ATSF have these in their inventory for yard switching purposes?