A post regarding my study of the Rogers 2-4-2

[MaxBrick (Max)]

I have always been fond of the Aristocraft Rogers 2-4-2, and the more I learned about it, the more I liked it. Its prototype is one of few passenger tank locomotives in the US.

I have made multiple observations and for simplicity’s sake I will divide them into two posts (in the next post I will talk about the prototype’s role and stuff)

So I have read time and time again that the Rogers 2-4-2 is grossly out of the labeled 1:29 scale. Now while I can’t say it’s perfect 1:29 (some of the proportions of the cab seem a bit off?) just going by overall size, I think that it IS indeed close in scale size to the prototype.

I came to this conclusion after a very interesting find from the internet archive of a catalogue of the Rogers Locomotive Works.

As you can see, the engine has a driver wheelbase of around 6 and a half feet.
I don’t have measurements of the engine at this moment (I shall soon update this post once I get them) but the model does have a wheelbase of a little over 2 inches, which means it has about the same scale wheelbase.

Using the wheelbase as a constant variable, and judging by the proportions of the model and the real picture (illustration?) in relation of the driver wheelbase and the everything else, I think it’s safe to say that Aristocraft’s model is much closer to 1:29 scale than most people (including myself) were led to believe.

So yeah, this is what I have concluded based on what I have learned as of yet. Thank you for reading and please share your thoughts or other opinions. After a little time I will make another post regarding more interesting points of this class.

[Cliff_Jennings]

Matt, it looks like you have a fun project going.

FWIW, I did similar research for a Porter 0-4-2. After getting the (scant) builder’s spec info and drawing, I learned that it too began as a “double-ender” with pilots on both ends. Never had a leading pilot truck though.

“My” loco (the Joe Douglass, out of Dayton NV, displayed in Carson NV) ran on a short line having no wyes or turntables, so it really was bi-directional. In fact, running tender-end first was common for these types of locos, because it granted a so much better view for the crew. (This is perhaps why the Joe’s lead truck was under the tank, not the smokebox). Here’s an example.

Eventually the Joe D. lost its tank pilot, and for years it’s been assumed that it always ran smokebox-first. It was an interesting challenge to get others to imagine it running the other way, as a normal thing. Thankfully, when the Joe gets restored, the plan is to add the tank pilot back on.

Anyway, your Aristocraft photo inspired me to remark on the missing tank pilot for both it and the Joe D. Have fun with your research,

Cliff