Chesapeake & Ohio LEGACY F-19 #492 – George Washington W/ C&O Tender

The C&O’s F-19 class of Pacifics proved that beautycould take many forms. While USRA Pacifics are highlyregarded for their simplicity, the F-19 was anythingbut! With a front end cluttered with air pumps anda feedwater heater, the C&O shop forces had toimprovise when it came to adorning the class forspecial premier assignments. But they did! Wearingeagles or silhouettes on the water heaters, polishedcompressor and cylinder head covers with stars andkept in high polish, the F-19s made a spectacularappearance worthy of Chessie’s finest trains.The class left a lasting impression despite being only5 locomotives large and lasting in service from only1926-1946 when they were rebuilt as 4-6-4s. The F-19shelped to inaugurate the Sportsman in 1930 and thenew premier George Washington in 1932. Ironically,their most adorned and memorable years coincidedwith the Great Depression – a testimony to the strengthof pride kept in the C&O shops and commitment tofirst-class passenger service by management even inthe worst of times.Available from Lionel for the first time since 2007 andnow updated with LEGACY, Bluetooth and Whistlesteam amongst all our other now-standard features,this locomotive is making a long-overdue return tothe spotlight. We’ve created multiple variations tocapture the majority of changes the locomotives sawin their 20-year careers – more variations than therewere locomotives in the class! We’ve also included afew fantasy locomotives as well. From the high glossapplied to these locomotives, the shine off the boiler inmany early photos seems to suggest they were paintedgray. They weren’t as far as we know but it looked likea pretty neat variation so we’re offering it here! C&Oand PM had swapped other classes of Pacifics and theyalso acquired some from the RF&P so those seemed likereasonable “what ifs” as well. The F-19 steps up to fill thehigh demand we’ve had for matching steam power forthe Sleigh Bell Limited, and of course with a menacingface like this we had to do a Halloween version! Addsome Presidential power to your roster this year withthese beautifully unique Pacifics!