O Scale RailKing Chicago North Western 0-8-0 Imperial Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

As the 20th century progressed, the American freight train grew in both size and stature. Wood gave way to steel, consists stretched for miles, and the tonnage moving through the nation’s classification yards skyrocketed. The venerable 0-6-0 switcher—the nimble, reliable "yard goat" that had built the railroads—was suddenly finding itself outmatched. When it came to shuffling massive cuts of modern, fully-loaded freight cars, the 0-6-0 simply lacked the footprint to get the job done.

Railroads needed more muscle. The solution was the 0-8-0. By adding a fourth set of driving wheels, locomotive designers were able to distribute a heavier boiler's weight across a larger wheelbase, putting all of that mass directly onto the rails. This eliminated the need for leading or trailing trucks and maximized adhesion. The result was massive starting tractive effort. The 0-8-0 could grip the rails and break loose heavy strings of cars that would have left a 0-6-0 helplessly spinning its wheels. From the bustling yards of the New York Central to the coal-heavy transfer runs of the Norfolk & Western, the 0-8-0 became the undisputed heavy-weight champion of the switch yards, remaining in production right up to the bitter end of the steam era.

Now, you can bring the raw, heavy-duty power of this industrial workhorse to your layout with the MTH RailKing Imperial Series 0-8-0. Sized to easily negotiate O-31 curves, this locomotive offers the perfect blend of traditional O Gauge proportions and premium, jaw-dropping detail.

Because this is a RailKing Imperial model, we’ve upgraded this yard boss with a host of added features you won't find on standard models. From the real coal load in the tender to the beautifully decorated cab interior, this 0-8-0 demands closer inspection.

Under the die-cast boiler, the locomotive is powered by MTH’s industry-leading Proto-Sound 3.0. You’ll experience the deep, rhythmic chuff of a heavy switcher at work, synchronized perfectly with our fan-driven puffing smoke unit. Thanks to Proto-Speed Control, you can throttle this 0-8-0 down to a buttery-smooth three scale miles per hour—perfect for spotting cars on your layout's industrial sidings.

• Intricately Detailed, Die-Cast Boiler and Chassis
• Intricately Detailed, Die-Cast Tender Body
• Authentic Paint Scheme
• Real Tender Coal Load
• Die-Cast Locomotive Trucks
• Handpainted Engineer and Fireman Figures
• Painted Cab Backhead Gauges
• Legible Builders Plates
• Metal Handrails, Whiste and Bell
• Tender Truck Chains
• Metal Wheels and Axles
• (2) Remote-Controlled Proto-Couplers
• Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting
• Constant Voltage LED Headlight
• Operating Tender LED Back-up Light
• Powerful Precision Flywheel-Equipped Motor
• Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System
• Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments
• Wireless Drawbar
• 1:48 Scale Dimensions
• Onboard DCC/DCS Decoder
• Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Freight Yard Proto-Effects
• Unit Measures: 18 1/2 " x 2 1/2 " x 3 3/4"
• Operates On O-31 Curves