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Start a Fight! A Postwar War!
By Mike Tripp
I'm gonna compare American Flyer to Lionel in a monthly series
taking a good look at different pieces they produced that were
in common…but before I do let's look at two odd product choices
they made somewhat in common.
Not so odd they both chose a Pennsy locomotive but odd they
both pick an experimental version. The prototypes were both short
lived. Only one turbine was made, 2 of the K-5's were produced;
each with different valve gear. The K-5 was too powerful for
six drive axles so the design was transferred to the Hippo's.
The turbine was too thirsty starting up. The concept would have
been successful had traction motors been installed in the pilot
and trailing trucks. Steam driven generators could drive these
to get the train moving then drop out as the turbine kicked in.
Lionel and American Flyer on the other hand produced hundreds
of the models and profited from their efforts. Alas the Pennsy's
efforts were too frantic and too late to save steam power or
the Pennsylvannia R.R.
How strange of the management of the 'P' to cling so long to
underpowered, double headed locomotion then reverse field, spewing
out a plethora of designs instead of one or two and wasting precious
Of all the railroads that designed new locomotives, I've always
marveled at the beauty of their locomotives. In some ways it
was a marvelous macro era. Big was in. The bigger the better
but why design and build locomotion that couldn't make the curves
or fit the turntables of the railroad? Talk about brain cramps!
Too much whiskey in the board room? Makes you wonder. Until next
time happy railroading!