O BTO C&O LEGACY H7 2-8-8-2 #1584
Chesapeake & Ohio LEGACY H7 2-8-8-2 #1584 Allegheny tender
In need of larger power but strapped
with smaller tunnels, the Chesapeake
and Ohio ordered a relatively novel
group of 25 simple-expansion
2-8-8-2 locomotives from Alco in
1923. Compound Mallet locomotives,
which used steam exhausted from
the first pair of pistons to power a
second, were nothing new on the
C&O or elsewhere. But using steam
directly from the boiler to power all
four pistons had only been tried a
few times – and not on a production
locomotive.
The single expansion offered more
power and reduced the size of the
large pistons needed in a Mallet. But
it also required a larger boiler to
produce enough steam for what was
essentially, two steam locomotives.
Keeping this within tight clearances
lead to the locomotives’ other
distinctive feature – a smokebox
crowded with appliances like air
pumps, feedwater heater and even
the bell which couldn’t fit anywhere
else and make it through a tunnel intact.
It became a C&O standard on many
locomotives for years to come.
Although Alco called them
“Chesapeakes,” crews knew them
as “Simple Simons” and they were
generally well liked. Baldwin
delivered 20 more in 1926. One area
the original H-7s had come up lacking
was tender capacity. The new units
arrived with 16,000 gallon Vanderbilt
tenders to help quench the thirsty boilers.
Later, even larger tenders were added to
most units. But Simons’ rule on the mountain
was cut short by the arrival of even larger
2-10-4 and 2-6-6-6 Alleghenies in the
1930s and 40s. In 1943, three were sold
to the RF&P for service on Potomac Yard’s
hump. Union Pacific picked up 30 in 1945.
Some were rebuilt, others were retired
retaining most of their C&O look. Those that
remained on the C&O mostly found their
way into hump yard service as well – sporting
much smaller tenders again.
After nearly a decade’s absence from our
catalog, Lionel is bringing back the Simple
Simons! Available in new road numbers,
paint schemes and tender variations, this is
also the first release of these locomotives
with Bluetooth control, whistle steam and all
of our latest LEGACY upgrades! In addition
to multiple C&O variations depicting the
class from 1926 to the 1950s as well as RF&P
and Union Pacific, a Rio Grande version
represents a different yet strikingly similar
class on that mountain road.
Product Features:
LEGACY Control System equipped – able to run in LEGACY Control mode, in TrainMaster Command Control mode, or in Conventional mode with a standard transformer
Bluetooth Control – Operate with Universal Remote or LionChief App
Lionel Voice Control (LVC) – run your locomotive by speaking commands into your phone via LionChief App
Odyssey II Speed Control
IR Transmitter that works with LCS SensorTrack
Whistle Steam
Road-specific Details
Powerful maintenance-free motor with momentum flywheel
Wireless Tether connection between locomotive and tender
ElectroCoupler on rear of tender
Directional lighting including operating headlight and back-up light on rear of tender
Bicolor illuminated classification lights on the front of locomotive where applicable. Using a Legacy controller, change the color of the classification lights between white or green
Traction tires
Interior illumination in cab
Die-cast metal locomotive body, pilot, and trucks
Die-cast metal tender body and trucks
High level of separately applied metal details
Separately applied builder’s plate
Synchronized fan-driven smoke unit
Adjustable smoke output
Authentically detailed cab interior
Cab “glass” windows
Engineer and fireman figures
LEGACY RailSounds sound system featuring:
CrewTalk dialog with different scenarios depending on whether the locomotive is in motion or stopped
TrainSounds that mimic operating dialog when the locomotive is in motion or stopped
Six official railroad speeds with CrewTalk dialog
DynaChuff synchronized with 32 levels of intensity as the locomotive gains speed
LEGACY “Real-Time Quilling Whistle” control with instant response for realistic signature “quilling” and correctly timed warning signals – 5 different whistles to choose from for a more customized experience.
Single hit or continuous mechanical bell sounds – 5 levels of bell pitching for customized sounds
Sequence Control: plays the sound effects of an entire trip, including warning sounds and announcements, based on the movement and speed of the locomotive
Current speed and fuel dialog, coal or oil loading sound effects
Minimum Curve O72
Length: 30”