Was there an N&W Class M #374?


[Steve Seward asked]

I just received my Sunset HO Class M. It's a great model for the price, but I have one question. This model came with one of two numbers, 374 and 422. (I got 374.) I know 422 is a good number for an M, but all the books I have indicate that 375 was the lowest number for the M-class. Was there a # 374?


[Jim Brewer replies:]
374 is a bogus number for a Class M; as far as I know, there wasn't a "modern" N&W steam locomotive of any class with that number.


[John T. Lisica continues:]
Steve, I think you are right. The gospel according to Prince says that 375 was the first of the M's, and Rosenberg and Prince concur. Sharp eye.

[Ed King adds:]
According to Arthur M. Bixby's all time motive power roster, N&W never had a steam locomotive of any type numbered 374. The Richmond M's went from 375-449; the Baldwins from 450-499.

[Jim Gillum:]
Think you've caught an error! I have two rosters; the one from Richard Prince's book on the N&W and one complied by Arthur Bixby. Both show the M's starting with #375.

[Ed Case concludes:]
Gentlemen: Sunset is thinking of running the M-2s if the "M"s are successful. Please don't downgrade these models just because of a numbering mistake. I have both "M" and "M-1" and the running gear is very precise. They were very nicely done. So nice, in fact, that I am thinking about a third. And think of this: what other importer has come forward with the "M"s? I think we ought to hand it to Sunset for doing these engines.

[Added 10-May-1999, updated 11-May]


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