Upgraded Walthers HO 2-8-4 Berkshire with sound

This classic Nickel Plate 2-8-4 Berkshire by Walthers is an accurate, medium-sized locomotive that delivers smooth performance with excellent sound. It’s an upgraded version of the Life-Like Proto 2000 model that was reviewed in the March 2004 Model Railroader. The new model includes different prototype-specific details and a dual-mode QSI Quantum System sound decoder that operates on Digital Command Control (DCC) or DC layouts.

The first 2-8-4 Berkshire was introduced as part of Lima Locomotive Works’ new “Super-Power” line of steam locomotives in 1925. This New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road) locomotive is part of a family of later 2-8-4s built mostly for railroads controlled by the Van Sweringen brothers of Cleveland. Their mechanical engineers designed some of America’s most successful steam locomotives, including nearly 300 2-8-4s built by Alco and Lima.

The Walthers Berkshires are made in three versions with revised details and numbers to represent additional classes of specific prototype loco-motives built by Lima. The new models represent Nickel Plate’s class S-3 locomotives built in 1949, Chesapeake & Ohio’s class K-4 “Kanawha” type built in 1944 and 1947, and Pere Marquette’s second group of class N-2 engines (with the sand box ahead of the dome) as built in 1944. Our Nickel Plate sample closely matches the drawing in the Model Railroader Cyclopedia: Vol. 1, Steam Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co.).

The revised model continues the same construction and smooth-running mechanism as its predecessor. Walthers has upgraded the scale 68″ drivers with tires that were omitted on the first versions. The lead truck is now a later style roller-bearing type.

Electronic system. The new QSI Quantum sound system is built into the tender with two 1″-diameter speakers mounted face down on the floor. This system is a full-function dual-mode DCC sound decoder that delivers excellent steam sounds and directional headlights, including an oscillating signal light that has an odd orange color rather than the prototype’s bright white.

The model includes the QSI Quantum Analog Remote Control (QARC) system that allows DC users to operate many sound functions with an add-on QARC controller on a DC power pack.

A 20-page operating manual covers the system’s operating and adjustment procedures. The QSI decoder uses 12 DCC function keys to activate various sounds and turn the lights on or off. Individual sound volumes are adjustable in both control modes.

A verbal confirmation reports the current CV setting after a change is made. Finally, a magnetic wand resets the factory default settings in case of a user programming error.

Performance. On DC our sample Berkshire started at 2.6 mph and accelerated smoothly to a maxi-mum speed of 85 mph – a range that’s only slightly above the proto-type’s 70 mph timetable maximum. On DCC, the Berk started moving on throttle step 2 at 3.7 mph and reached a top speed of 98.9. This indicates that both ranges need to have some CVs adjusted to produce more realistic speed ranges.

The Nickle Plate model’s drawbar pull is equivalent to about 42 free-rolling cars on straight and level track. A spare set of rear drivers with traction tires is included. These tires increase the model’s drawbar pull to 116 cars.

Both ends of the locomotive have properly mounted working knuckle couplers, an essential feature for a freight locomotive.

Now that I’ve seen the upgraded version, I’m even happier with the appearance and excellent workmanship in this Van Sweringen Berkshire. The sound system definitely enhances the experience of operating this smooth-running locomotive.

HO 2-8-4 Berkshire
Price: with sound and DCC, $485; DC version, $385

Manufacturer
Life-Like Products Division of
Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.
P.O. Box 3039
Milwaukee, WI 53201
Description: Plastic and metal ready-to-run steam locomo-
tive with dual-mode sound
Road names: (two numbers with sound and DCC, one DC
engine number) Nickel Plate
Road, Chesapeake & Ohio,
Pere Marquette, unlettered

HO Berkshire features
Blackened nickel-silver RP-25
wheels, all correctly gauged
Drawbar pull: 3.36 ounces (47 cars on straight and level track), with traction tires, 116 cars
Dual flywheel drive
Dual-mode DCC sound decoder
Engine weight: 16 ounces
(21 ounces with tender)
Five-pole skew-wound motor
McHenry magnetic knuckle couplers
Minimum radius: 18″
Prototype-specific details
12-wheel electrical pickup
Wire handrails