Mainline Histories: The History of the Wabash Bluebird and Marklin 26490, an HO take on this Classic

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Great video and always interested in the history of railroads. Thanks for sharing and beautiful locomotive and cars.

[@DoctorHobby]

Thank you so much! Since I’m definitely into history (professionally for over 20 years!) I’ll do as many as I’m able!

[@randybingham8888]

The 1602 Bluebird Dome Parlor car (flat windows with the Bluebird room) has been under restoration in Taylorville for several years.

[@trainliker100]

A few more details about the real train. You will notice a blank blue train name panel on the engine. Railroads had been thinking in terms of passenger train sets being dedicated sets including the power. But they were quickly finding out it was better to have locomotives interchangeable. So "Blue Burd" lettering was never added. And with the next repaint of those locomotives, the blue panel was gone. (The "City of Kansas City" power DID have that train name painted on.) However, in some advertising literature, an artist has added "Blue Bird" in the blue panel. Also, when Wabash needed to add another dome car, Budd, who had made the original 6-car trainset, was too busy. So, they went to Pullman-Standard which explains the smooth painted sides and the flat glass used for the dome windows. The special "Blue Bird" room was in this new car and could seat 11 for private dining. The original trainset had full width diaphragms, but they were later changed to standard narrow ones. If you want a truly accurate model, I think the only choice is the HO version by Union Terminal Imports. There weren't many made. About 13 sets with full width diaphragms and only 8 sets with narrow diaphragms. They also made the add-on Pullman-Standard dome and both E7 and E8 diesels for the train.

[@gkjsooley]

The European equivalent of NMRA is NEM. The Märklin cars are not scale length (which is one area where the oft-derided Rivarossi/Mehano/AHM/IHC shine, and are most likely modelled on the Santa Fe Superchief, which Märklin produced years ago. PS - love the Pennsy Baldwin Centipede!

[@quiescenttaro6642]

Wabash catchy for sure

[@quiescenttaro6642]

I wish they still had the $1 meals 🤧 id buy 10

[@DoctorHobby]

Even at $5 they’d be more than worth it

[@videothen]

you seem to have fans even from outer space!

[@DoctorHobby]

Those are family members, actually ;)

[@MichaelMcKinnon-jf1yy]

I never liked three track layouts, if people are looking for realism, unless you're running a cog railway it's unrealistic and doesn't look right