Rivarossi Heisler Steam Locomotive Cass Scenic Railroad #6 3-Truck HO Scale DCC Ready Model Train

The Heisler, a steam locomotive that had a significant impact on the logging industry in the United States, was invented in 1891, and Charles L. Heisler received a patent for it in 1892. The notoriety of the Heisler came from its exceptional pulling capabilities, which made it perfectly suited for moving long, heavy strings of loaded log cars both on flat ground and uphill. The Heisler's design featured centrally located cylinders under the drive shaft on the two-truck model, and on the three-truck model, the drive shaft extended into the tender for increased fuel and water capacity, allowing for longer and heavier trips. What set the Heisler apart from other locomotives was the 45-degree inward slant of its cylinders, and the fact that the center shaft only drove one axle per truck, with the wheels in each truck connected by a side rod. Around 625 Heislers were produced, ranging from 17 to 95 tons.

The Heisler was a vital piece of equipment in the development of the western United States, as steam locomotives became the new workhorses in the forestry industry. These locomotives were able to navigate the difficult terrain and haul the timber that was quickly manufactured into paper and used to construct new towns as business continued to grow and shape the recently inaccessible mountains and dense forests.

One such company town, Cass, was built by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company in 1901 to house their loggers close to the mountains where they worked. Now a State Park since 1977, Cass remains a tourist attraction, with the Cass Scenic Railroad offering train rides on a Heisler locomotive to the top of Bald Knob, the highest point on the Back Allegheny Mountain. The historic log cars that were once used for transportation have been converted to provide visitors with roundtrip rides along the 11 miles of track.

Rivarossi, an Italian manufacturer and now part of the Hornby Hobbies family of brands, has produced some of the most iconic locomotives in steam, diesel, and electric over the last 50 years. Their Heisler locomotives and rolling stock, including the Skeleton log cars, are DCC Ready, configured for a 21-Pin Socket Decoder, making it easy to upgrade to Digital Circuits HO 1:87 and OO 1:76 Gauge railway layouts. Rivarossi's locomotives and rolling stock feature knuckle couplers, adding to the realistic look and feel of a Heisler pulling these log cars out of the woods in the early 20th century.

Building your model railway layout has never been easier, thanks to Hornby's wide range of brands, such as Skaledale and Skale Scenics, which bring your layout to life with a variety of buildings, monuments, and trees, adding realism to any layout or diorama.

product information: