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Home › Model Trains › HO Scale › Steam › Great Northern

Item No: 054547

$1,995

ITEM SOLD

Description
Brass Guide

HO Scale Brass Model Train from Pacific Fast Mail CROWN / Tenshodo

Great Northern 4-8-4 Class S-1 Steam Locomotive & Tender

Factory Painted Road #2550
Model is professionally weathered by one of the best! Beautifully done, and model looks very realistic.
Very nice detail painting on the in-cab detail, cab crew added
Window glazing installed
1979 Run Serial #35/75
Powered w/ Can Motor
Track Tested and Runs Well, Also slightly erratic at very low speeds, most likely be because this has been a display model and not run for many years.
No Operating Lights
Original Box Included (No Foam) Box shows some wear

NOTES: HO Pacific Fast Mail Crown, Tenshodo, 1979 Run. Originally only 10 of these were imported to the US.

This model features a working power reverse, superb overall running qualities, can motor, and full backhead detail as well as an operating headlight.
Our PFM Expert friend Jim Walsh reminds us: That this model is especially unique to the collector, especially the Tenshodo Collector, because it is with the exception of one hand made 1963 PFM/Nakayama KCS 2-10-4 the ONLY HO Brass Model to his knowledge that has a working power reverse mechanism where the radius rod lifts and lowers through the reverse link depending upon direction of the start. A raised rod is reverse. A rod in the middle is neutral and the lower quadrant is forward.
Furthermore this model is the only Brass Steam Locomotive Model to his knowledge that has a true coasting drive using an idler box with helical gears that can be driven by either the motor or the driving wheels, so can truly coast. All other coasting drivers are crash boxes where the intermediate gear is thrust into and out of engagement with a worm and worm gear.
The Tenshodo box also has miniature ball bearing casements installed on the gear box drive shaft and the driver axle. T
he motor is a HIGH torque rare earth magnet instrument motor also equipped with ball bearing. The motor is coupled to the gear box through a cast housing containing a pair of precision machined brass ball joints. Expensive and cutting edge technology for 1979!!
Mechanical workmanship appreciated by the most sophisticated Brass aficionados.
Lastly, this model is vastly upgraded compared to the earlier 1974 Tenshodo Deluxe Crown Model and has full backhead detail, cab seats, an improved lost wax cast pilot, accurate headlight and constant lighting and boiler Lagging clamps. Other added details are an improved smoke box front casting with improved hinges, the addition of a valve gear lubricator casing, additional piping and a whistle pull cord.
Jim feels the model compares favorably with recent Korean models but is unique for its fit and finish and mechanical design features. And the classic Tenshodo freshly shopped paint favored by many collectors. Of course there is also the rarity factor and the fact that current production Tenshodo Brass is VERY expensive due to the strength of the Yen vs the Dollar. Today Tenshodo only makes JNR models for domestic sale. If this model were built today by Tenshodo it would likely retail for 3,500 to 5,000 USD.
Only 50 of these models were imported to the USA in 1979 and 1980 and it is believed Tenshodo made the total of 75 models indicated on the serial numbered date plate. They retailed for the then princely sum of $925. Very expensive indeed!!!

BG-SKU:	23083
Scale:	HO
Importer:	Pacific Fast Mail
Category:	Steam
Sub-category:	Non-Articulated
Builder:	Tenshodo
Road:	Great Northern
Type:
Description:	S-1
Whyte:	4-8-4
Year(s):	1979
Catalog No:	164
Notes:	FACTORY PAINTED - GP S/NS XXX/75 (75 NOT IMPORTED), WORKING POWER REVERSE, COASTING GEARBOX, GLACIER PARK BALL BEARING DRIVE - HELICAL GEAR BOX - Brought in 1979-1980

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HO PFM Crown Tenshodo GN Great Northern 4-8-4 S-1 #2550 - 79' Run - Rare #35/75 - Pro Weathering

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