This loco started out as a Max Gray early 1960’s import, that was extensively super-detailed/re-detailed to represent K-5a #2935. as she would have appeared in her 1947 role as a suburban New Jersey commuter locomotive.  Loco also sports a custom made, 20-ton USRA tender with extended coal boards, as rebuilt by the Erie’s Hornell Shops, and an accurate spoked/disc mixed driver set. 

K-5a completed, and ready for paint…

Closeup detail of USRA 10K, 16 ton tender, with extended coal boards (per Erie practice) that increased bunker capacity from 16 to 20 tons.

Cistern deck and bulkhead detail…

Boiler, fresh from the paint booth, with cab lettering applied…

Closeup of tender paint…

The completed locomotive, on display…

Engineer’s side detail…note the injector controls, outside of the cab.

Fireman’s side, showing Okadee blowdown, water connection from tender to Elesco feedwater heater, separator blowdown funnel, and solid operating rod from cab to whistle (the Erie did not use a pull-chord, but instead opted for a solid steel rod).

Cistern deck and tender rear…

K-5a #2935 in her role as a suburban commuter locomotive. (image courtesy D.G. Biernacki, Erie USRA Heavy Pacifics)

 The model was custom built for a high-end RR collector from Japan. The man was an old friend of the late Mr. Katsumi Mokieten of KTM, who was the founder of the company, and a builder of brass RR models (this one included) that were imported by Max Gary. The rebuilding and acquisition of this locomotive was in tribute to his old friend “Katsumi San”.