MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS

Although the N&W Class J steamers are best known for their streamlined, cowled appearance, the railroad built five uncowled 4-8-4s without lightweight rods, classed J1, in 1943 to conserve war materials. Although the N&W surely knew that the Js would ultimately be used for passenger service, the restrictions of the War Production Board required that they be classified as freight engines and given an appropriately lower boiler pressure than the other Js had. Even without its characteristic sleek appearance, the unstreamlined Js were able to muscle their loads over the mountainous N&W territory, serving admirably for their part in the war effort. These five engines were later given cowls and the usual Class J siderods. Capturing a special moment in railroading history, M.T.H.'s uncowled J1 steamer gives you a unique opportunity to recreate wartime motive power on your own railroad. This unusual version of a popular engine will lend an undeniable air of authenticity to your World War II-era layout. Pull-out fact: When the boiler pressure of the five uncowled Js was later raised to 300 pounds to match the other Js, they generated starting tractive effort of 80,000 pounds, the highest ever for a Northern.