bcp Wrote:
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> Never saw a Kemtron boiler like that.
>
>
> Bruce


The wagon top boilers on D&RG 2-8-0's were rare. Only class 60 #22 "Alamosa" and a few of the earliest class 56 engines were built that way new. Many of the later D&RG engines also dispensed with the brass boiler bands in favor of iron bands that more nearly matched the rest of the jacket including many of the later consolidations and most if not all of the 4-6-0's.

The initial group of class 70 engines coincided with one of of the later orders of class 60's. These two groups had the same 2500 gallon tenders, nearly equivalent optional fittings, and identical styling. They'd look basically the same other than driving wheel spacing, close enough to be interchangeable for any but the most dedicated rivet-counter considering they ran on the same railroad at the same time. Some of the earlier class 60's looked different (different colors, etc) but there were a lot of class 60's delivered over a period of years from a couple different builders with numerous changes to styling and optional equipment.

Over the years I have seen much cursing and cussing with respect to the running qualities of the "FED" 4-4-0 and 2-6-0. I have never seen anyone claim to get a good one that did not require much tinkering to make it run well. Apparently they can be made to run decently given sufficient expertise on the part of the owner. If one can be acquired cheaply, even a "bad" engine can be painted and make for a useful addition to an enginehouse or for photography and this sort of patience does not preclude later tinkering on the part of the owner once he's more confident in his skills.