Alexander Steam?

[bob turner]

No, I have none, save one butchered K4 main frame. Not my "cup of tea."

But my buddy Greg just sent photos of what appears to be an Alexander C&O Mike. Intriguing, if a bit crude in some spots. I opined that the boiler at least was genuine Alexander - mechanism looks a lot like Hines Lines. If there is any interest here, maybe I could get permission to post photos.

Meantime, if any of you are aware of identifying features of the Alexander model, feel free to share.

[J. S. Bach]

I have never even seen an Alexander steamer.

[R.K. Maroon]

I have seen three, starting with this one, which sold on eBay in 2014 for about $800. These photos were snagged off of eBay by taking a screen shot, which was the only way to do it for a many years:





Much about this model is similar to the others I have seen

Jim

[J. S. Bach]

Nice. I like the twin air pumps on the smokebox front.

[R.K. Maroon]

Woody Mathews owned one as well. Here it is in the auction of his estate:



It didn't sell for much. It wasn't listed as an Alexander, it was missing the pilot truck, and Woody had it lettered for his home road. I might not have noticed it but I had seen it at O Scale West in 2015. Woody entered it into the model contest there. I think if he had lettered it for C&O it might have won.

[R.K. Maroon]

Here is the third Alexander K3A Mikado that I have seen:



This model was restored by John Fisher. I had the good fortune to see this once while visiting John a few years back. For me, John's work sets the standard for doorstop restoration.

[Carey Williams]

hello all

Alexander was commissioned to build the C&O portable layout and rolling stock for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair .... ...so the C&O Mike and Pacific were added to the catalog and a number were made /sold .

Here is a link to see a Alexander Mike in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3kEPCAd0hY

cheers Carey

[ScaleCraft]

Seems to have either a badly out of round driver or something in the rods is binding.

[ScaleCraft]

Jim

I am guessing, based upon lack of available data, that the lever sticking through the top pilot steps on engineer's side is most likely a throttle?

[bob turner]

I missed the live steam reference (other than in Dave’s post).

[ScaleCraft]

I missed the live steam reference (other than in Dave’s post).

And maybe I misread it. I know Alexander had some involvement with the stuff....Bassett....so I read that as Alexander Steam, rather than Steam engines by Alexander.

[Carey Williams]

Alexander early sold many items through his catalog .... including offering Bassett Lowke , Roy Ashley and an unidentified American type .

Roy Ashley offered 1/2" and 1/4" scale models ... the 1/4" Pacific RTR in 1928 was a mere $250.00

Alexander in his 1933 catalog also offered the Four Aces 4-8-4 by Ashley as a live steamer .... also offered as standard electric drive model.

if you wish to see a photo of the Ashley NYC Pacific as sold by Alexander 1928-early 30's please link and scroll down .....also photo of a Neff O scale live steamer,

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/liv ... 3608681823


cheers Carey

[E7]

Here is a link to see a Alexander Mike in action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3kEPCAd0hY

cheers Carey

What vintage is that whine?

[De Bruin]

Awesome, and I can tell that string that the Mike's pulling is not lightweight especially around all those curves on Carey's pike. It's interesting how the motor whine corresponds with the valve gear motion and how much of a "sway" appears to be built-into the frame and drivers.
Fascinating, and yet I would lying if I didn't admit to coveting that brute.
Fabulous!

[bob turner]

I forgot to copy a link, but Billy Davis has a Lobaugh C&O Greenbrier up on eBay. From photos, best I have seen. Main frame looks extensively re-worked, and not sure I go along with USH gears (blasphemy) but I bet this one draws close to a grand. Good thing I already have one!