Marklin HO 37983 SP Berkshire 2-8-4 Steam Locomotive USA

The unusual "Coffin Berkshires"
Only a few steam locos in the USA went on to become legends like the “Big Boy” machines. However, the mighty “Berkshires” were certainly among them. They were products of the Roaring Twenties and symbolized the spirit of optimism that also took hold in the United States after the First World War. At a time when the economy was booming, and the railroads had to transport more and more goods faster and faster to all corners of the country, the thousands of “Mikado” steam locos built were often no longer capable of performing these tasks. This led to the birth of the first super-power steam locomotive in 1925. Developed by LIMA Locomotive Works, it had a two-axle trailing truck and an enlarged firebox and delivered a massive increase in performance to the railroad. And since these mighty locos were first used on a route through the Berkshire Mountains on the east coast of the USA, the members of this loco type were henceforth referred to as “Berkshires.” With an output of up to 4000 PS / 3945 hp and top speeds well in excess of 100 km/h / 62 mph, these machines, advertised by LIMA as super-power locomotives, conquered many US railroads with over 600 units built. The Boston & Maine Railroad also took delivery of 25 rather unusual-looking “Berkshires” that featured U-shaped Coffin feed-water heaters mounted upside down on the smokebox. Incidentally, the name “Coffin” refers to the manufacturer and has nothing to do with the literal meaning. Ten of these unusual “Berkshires” finished up their careers with the Southern Pacific Railroad in the years following 1945, although, sadly, none of these Coffin locos survived. Nevertheless, two of these giants can still be experienced in operation today. The Michigan-based “Berkshire,” road number 1225, even became an international movie star in 2004, when it played one of the starring roles in the animated children’s movie “The Polar Express,” which also captivated millions of viewers in Germany.

Prototype: Southern Pacific “Berkshire” steam locomotive with the 2-8-4 wheel arrangement. Deep black basic paint scheme. Road number 3505. The loco looks as it did between 1945 and 1950. One of 25 locomotives built with the striking Coffin feed-water heater.