It all boiled over today! MTH hadn't released a Railking, new, real B&O Steamer in months. Last was their B&O 49er that never saw B&O colors. So I got a fix picking up the MA & PA Doodlebug last fall. Local, but not enough, and that was last fall!

I needed a fix! There had to be something out there!

The local guys didn't have anything, so online search! Ahhhh, there it was Justrains and a Norfolk J. That would do it! And the number, 611! That explains it. Each morning and evening on the clock, that number 611 staring at me. So when the wife wanted to go to target this morning for a baby shower gift, it happened, the slight detour to Newark, DE. Stopped for breakfast to quiet her down, but finally arrived at train heaven! Trains to my left, trains to my right. This looked good, that looked better, but hey, none were local roads. Where was the J? There was the case, MTH Railking over the top. Lots of Railkings, and one empty spot. You guessed it, the sigh said Norfolk J. None left . . .AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH! I got to train heaven, and they didn't have it! Calm down, ask someone. Maybe they had it in the back. Did they? Nope, sorry , buddy, sold out.
It had to be a sign. I'm not a Norfolk guy, I'm a B&O guy. Maybe, just maybe in the next catalog, someone at MTH will come to their senses, and make me a real reproduction of a B&O Steamer. Puhleeeeease MTH!!!

Didn't leave empty handed, bought 120 K-line passangers to put in some empty cars, just for therapy, you know!

Do what Brother Ben does - buy a steamer you like and repaint it - the decals wouldn't be hard to come by.... start with the EM-1 - oh, it's B&O to begin with.... Maybe a nice Mikado?

Jim- When you are really Jones'n for a specific piece, I have had sucess just typing in the manufacturer name and item number in a browser i.e. yahoo, google, etc. and have scored. There are also the e-sales type sites. Of course, use discretion before supplying finacial information or use a secure mediator i.e. PayPal. I once said I'd never use an e-superstore, but since then I've gotten some great deals, nice pieces, and great service.

Good Luck,
Stack