The availability of the new Brute is, in itself, an amazing thing.

I have drooled over photographs of the machine for the 40+ years that I have known of its existence.

I have never seen the original.

I actually saw one of the new models today, and am in awe.

Does anyone know the story of how the current model came into existence? I assume they must have borrowed the original from the John/Allison Cox collection? or at least visited and examined the original locomotive?

Inquiring minds want to know (and so does mine)...

When I spoke with Andy Edleman shortly after this reproduction was announced, he mentioned the design team "taking lots of measurements" from the original. He also allowed that the tooling was already in place and this model would be made, even before MTH actually had any orders for it! Talk about confidence.

Thanks Art!

I was just curious.

I had the pleasure of meeting Andy at the TCA National convention in Ontario, CA in 2003. He is a very nice guy.

MIKE WOLF said at the Spring YORK Meet [I saw it on the TCA Videos ] that He visted the Collector and spent a day with him photographing "THE BRUTE" and that He used a Measuring Stick in the pictures. He also said that the Owner just wanted some Spare Parts in exchange.

Gardener,

Thank you for the information.

I find the whole thing fascinating!

Fascinating, indeed! To think that I would ever be the owner of a replica of this famous prototype is astounding! Actually, I stated to my wife that, on one level, buying this engine made no sense, but if I had passed on it, I would never have forgiven myself!

"Whatcha gonna do?"