November 4, 2020 - The last of the M.T.H. HO S 3/6 Steam Locomotives are still available for order from M.T.H. Authorized Retailers or directly from the M.T.H. website.

About the S 3/6 Steam Locomotive

In 1871, Germany became the last major European country to unify, combining a hodgepodge of kingdoms and duchies. But it would be another 50 years before the 11 provincial railroads were nationalized into the German Imperial Railway Company (DRG, with the logo DR). In the meantime, each road continued to develop its own locomotive designs. One of the best was the Class S 3/6 of the Royal Bavarian State Railways (abbreviated K. Bay. Sts. B. in German).

Regarded by European enthusiasts as one of the most beautiful and successful of all steam locomotives, the Class S 3/6 ("S" for schnellzuglok, indicating an express passenger engine, and 3/6 to indicate 3 powered axles, 6 axles total) was built by A G Maffei beginning in 1908 and showcased the talent of that firm’s chief designer, Heinrich Leppla. The stylish conical smokebox front of the S 3/6 was complemented by a handsome holly green paint scheme. Two inboard high-pressure cylinders and two outboard low-pressure cylinders drove the center axle. The S 3/6 was one of the first European engines to follow the American practice of casting the cylinders and smokebox saddle as one huge casting, which gave the engine a distinctive look. The majority of the class were fitted with 74" drivers to conquer Bavaria's mountainous terrain. A smaller group of S 3/6 engines, however, was built with 79" drivers for high-speed service on flatter routes and acquired the nickname "High Steppers."

After nationalization in 1920, the engines were painted in the black and red Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR) scheme and became classes 18.3 through 18.5. While the DR intended to develop new standard engines of its own, the S 3/6 was deemed so good that the DR continued to order new engines of this 1908 design through 1931. The relatively light axle loading of the S 3/6, 18 tons, was also a plus, as the DR was behind schedule in upgrading main lines to its new 20-ton standard. So successful were the Bavarian Pacifics that they were chosen over more modern power to lead the glorious cream and blue Rheingold Express on part of its scenic route down the Rhine Valley, both before and after WWII. An S 3/6 could also be seen often on the point of the Orient Express.

Even after World War II, the aging engines continued to be great performers. A large number were modernized with new boilers and became the most economical steamers on the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB), the new name for West Germany’s railroad system. By the 1960s however, the S 3/6 class, which originally numbered 159 locomotives, had been retired, with a number of engines preserved in museums or in operating condition. This superbly detailed, smooth-running model of one of Europe’s favorite steam engines is offered in original Royal Bavarian paint schemes and post-nationalization black and red.

These locomotives are still available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer. They can also be ordered directly from M.T.H. by calling the M.T.H. Sales Department at 410-381-2580 or by visiting the M.T.H. website.

Hurry Before They're Gone, Just Five Or Fewer Of These HO Scale Items Remain In Stock

November 4, 2020 - Each week, M.T.H. releases product lists spotlighting quantities of Five Or Fewer HO Scale items that are remaining in our onhand inventory. In many cases, these items will NOT be re-run in the future and these lists could be your last chance for ordering them before they're GONE FOR GOOD. Don't miss out on these items! Click on the product line link below and then any item number in the corresponding list to purchase that item from the M.T.H. Online Store or order directly from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. HO Scale

Third Archive Auction Scheduled

Cabin Fever Auctions will be conducting the third of several auctions of the official M.T.H. Archive Collection from M.T.H.'s 124,000 sq. ft. Maryland warehouse.

The third auction is November 18, 2020, and can be previewed online by visiting the auction preview listing.

www.CabinFeverAuctions.com

or call 800-789-5068 or 610-587-8139