Rivarossi Heisler Steam Locomotive Cass Scenic Railroad #6 3-Truck Model HO Scale w/DCC Sound Decoder Model Train HR2949S

The Heisler was invented in 1891 and Charles L. Heisler received a patent in 1892 and made an impact on the logging industry of the United States through the turn of the century and on into 1941 when it was still being run regularly. Although it was considered the fastest of the geared steam locomotives, the notoriety of the Heisler came from its pulling capabilities. The high tractive effort was perfectly suited for moving long, heavy strings of loaded log cars both on flat ground and uphill. On the two-truck model, the cylinders were centrally located under the drive shaft. The drive shaft is extended into the tender on the three-truck model for more fuel and water capacity for longer and heavier trips. These locomotives were set apart from the rest by the cylinders being slanted inwards at a 45 degree angle. The center shaft only drove one axle per truck as the wheels in each truck were connected with a side rod. There were around 625 Heislers produced, ranging from 17 tons to 95 tons. Use the Heisler for what it was created for and pull the new 38 foot die-cast skeleton log cars also produced by Rivarossi. A company town built for the logging industry was created in 1901, Cass was built by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company to home their loggers close to the mountains where they worked. Still in existence, now as State Park since 1977, after seeing over a half a century of success, still remains a tourist attraction with the train rides up the Cass Scenic Railroad on this #6 Heisler and see the top of Bald Knob, the highest point on the Back Allegheny Mountain. The historic log cars that used to be used when in operation have been converted to now give visitors of the State Parks roudtrip rides along the 11 miles of track.

• Rivarossi, Italian manufacturer and now part of the Hornby Hobbies family of brands, has produced some of the most iconic locomotives in steam, diesel and electric over the last 50 years.
• DCC equipped 21 Pin Socket ESU LokSound 5.0 Decoder for Digital Circuits HO 1:87 and OO 1:76 Gauge railway layouts. Rivarossi locomotives and rolling stock feature knuckle couplers.
• Add the Rivarossi Skeleton log cars to your layout and finish off the look of a Heisler as they were regularly seen pulling these log cars out of the woods in the upper Midwest and Western United States in the early 20th century.
• Essential in the development of the west, steam locomotives became the new work horses in forestry. Able to navigate the difficult terrain to haul timber that was quickly manufactured in paper mills and constructing new towns as business continued to grow and shape the recently inaccessible mountains and dense forests.
• Building your model railway layout has never been easier! Hornby offers brands such as Skaledale and Skale Scenics that bring your layout to life! From buildings, monuments, trees; adding realism to any layout or diorama.