Cab Forward 2023

[R.K. Maroon]

Wow -- great thread, Bob. Thanks for posting all the photos and providing the descriptions. I don't have to pile on the accolades for the cabforwards in general, but I do find the smaller ones compelling, maybe because the others are more commonly seen.

As an aside, I looked at that last photo before reading the caption and thought, "Hey, that looks like Charlie Morrill's layout", which it is. What I didn't think was, "and I took that photo". How quickly we forget. I believe Charlie acquired that particular cabforward because it would fit his layout (or maybe his turntable). The others were too long.

I have a cabforward but not good photos. I'll work on that.

Jim

[E7]

As an aside, I looked at that last photo before reading the caption and thought, "Hey, that looks like Charlie Morrill's layout", which it is. What I didn't think was, "and I took that photo". How quickly we forget. Jim

Jim, There are 3 signs of old age: First one is loss of memory....and I forget the other 2

Rich

[E7]

Bob, A most impressive portfolio!

You are correct about museums selling things, but then ultimately it will ALL go in the great cosmic trash bin. Maybe better to have a few moments "in the sun".

[De Bruin]

Agree with the posts here Bob; fabulous builds and a worthy series of prototypes. Wow!

[Retroniac1]

Bob,
Thank you for reviving this thread. I love Cab forwards! The MC-6 seems the more unique to my eye since there have been variations of the others in past production. I like the weathering on all the pieces. Given the amount time, talent and dedication to build these locos, they are works of art.

I know what you mean about donations. In fact I have benefited from a museum selling what they considered “junk.” Sometimes it helps to aim high for museums. My opinion is that the Lobaugh and custom built pieces are worthy of the Smithsonian, and I mean that sincerely. The best model train museum that I can think of is in Switzerland. But who wants to send their stuff to Europe. Website:https://www.galleriabaumgartner.ch/en/

I know that the Golden State Model Railroad Museum has a small long-standing display of donated pieces. The trolley museum in Perris displays Bill Everett’s custom built O trolleys but you have make special arrangements to see it. The Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, CA seems well endowed and would likely not sell the collection. BTW this museum is really like going back in time. They have something like 8 miles of the old SN track. I rode a wooden combine trolley there and it was an experience that I will never forget. Their website is wrm.org.

Thanks again for a very interesting thread!
Rob

[bob turner]

Bump. Maroon was just visiting, and I mentioned that Bob Church had produced a couple versions of the Cab Forward book. We were busy socializing so I did not break out a spare copy, but anybody modeling SP or even remotely interested in SP steam should have all of the Church books.

Jim did say he was really not up to speed on the various cab forwards, and boy, does the Church book fix that in a hurry. But let me do it from memory:

In 1908, the SP powers that were contracted with Baldwin for some Back Up steam - things that go backwards to avoid smoke asphyxiation in those long snow sheds west of Truckee. Baldwin delivered two types - the MM, or Mallet-Mogul, and the MC, or Mallet Consolidation. The MM-2 was among the very first "Back-Up Malleys" - it was a semi-success until they put a four wheel truck under the firebox, and then it was apparently successful enough to warrant additional orders. The MC series was successful with a two wheel lead truck, and several classes came from Baldwin - MC 2,4, and 6.

These locomotives were almost all "simpled," becoming "Articulated Mallets" or "Articulated Consolidations." Classes AC-1,2, and 3 were the rebuilds of MC 2,4, and 6. The Mallet Moguls became AM-2.

Then came the giants - AC-4 through AC-12, with only the AC-9 being a non - Cab Forward.

The names have stayed the same, but for the revised MM-2/AM-2, they would have better been a "ten-wheeler mogul mallet." or something, and the larger AC-series is kind of like a Yellowstone. One could,I suppose, call them Mastodon-Consolidation Articulated, but Cab Forward is the real name for the big ones. The railroaders called them all "Back-up Malleys."

I may add to this if I can find the correct photos - the modern AC series uses a special tail beam under the firebox (Lobaugh just used Berkshire frames). I will endeavor to post a bit more info on that.