N&W K3 4-8-2

[NW Mailing List]

I have the appropriate Arrow, you mentioned it and it reminded me of seeing the cover.

I've also found the Jefferies "giant of steam" which I didn't know I had got so that is in my reading stack too.

Much appreciated.

Martin
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From: NW-Mailing-List <nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org> on behalf of NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: 21 August 2025 15:55
To: 'NW Mailing List' <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Subject: RE: N&W K3 4-8-2


NWHS Arrow #19/5, September/October 2003, has an article on the K3s.  Jeffries' "N&W Giant Of Steam" book also has a section on them.

Despite not being liked by the railroads, I've always thought the K3 would make an excellent choice for a plastic model due to having multiple accurate road names.

Marty Flick

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From: "NW Mailing List"
To: "NW Mailing List"
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Sent: Wednesday August 20 2025 3:03:22PM
Subject: N&W K3 4-8-2

Afternoon all,

For all N&W designers & engineers would rather gloss over this class that didn't live up to their expectation and are cited as blot on the Roanoke Shops' drawing board, I have always quite liked them and models won't hammer the track like the prototypes so I have always wanted to add one to my roster. Yes I know they were gone by 1944 and I model 1953-6  but rule #1 applies and atleast one didn't get sold...

What was going to be a simple, buy a model, paint it and put into service, became getting a second one already painted and then noticing differences... Only one model run so not a variation. Turns out the painted model was of a D&RGW M-69, which is what they became when 4 of them were sold. I noticed some of the details present on the M-69 were visible on pictures of K3s later in service on N&W so I'm in the process of trying to work out what changes were made to the K3s from as delivered to when they were sold in 43/44.

Has there been any "comprehensive" article in the Arrow or maybe somewhere else in the press about N&W K3s? Changes/improvements/upgrades etc

I have loads of books on N&W motive power but most gloss over the K3s and at best a single page and maybe a picture.

I have managed to trace history of all 10 through RF&P/D&RGW to W&LE and to NKP ownership. I've found pictures of most at some point in their careers and some I've found a picture in each corporate livery. Ironically pictures of them in N&W service are the hardest to find.

My gut feeling at the moment is that a D&RGW M-69 may be the better starting point for an end of N&W service K3 than an as delivered N&W K3.

Any guidance appreciated.

If I manage to come up with anything conclusive I will try and put something together for others.

Regards

Martin
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