I woould like to purchase a HO Scale Replica of a Boston Maine B-15 Class 2-6-0 Mogul? KNow of any model companies that make one? I heard that the IHC Model is close and can be modified to more closely match a B&M, even though its a Southern Pacific 2-6-0 Model. Is my other only option Brass? Thanks, Anthony

I can't help you find a model, but if you do find one, there is an exellent photo of a B-15 in the February issue of Trains magazine, on pages 86 & 87. At least you'll be able to check details on the right side. Just don't let anyone see the model from the left....~(:-o)

The IHC Mogul model replicates an Southern Pacific M21 Class Mogul. The SP's boiler was approximately 20% wider than B&M's B-15's boiler. Also, the B&M Mogul had an unusual steam chest which appeared to be a box melded on top of a cylinder. The SP steam chest was of a more much normal shape. These are two of the major differences between the IHC model and a B&M B-15. There were other differences, too - most of which would result in a tricky kitbash of the IHC model to mae it a B&M B-15.

The only models produced of a B-15 which can pass muster without kitbashing are either the Pacific Fast Mail version of a B-15 in the 1920's-30's, or the Overland version of a B-15 in the 1940's and 1950's.

Before buying the IHC model, you might want to check out the copy of a blue print of a modernized B&M B-15 #1475 on Ebay Auction #5961159779 to note more vividly the differences between the IHC model and a B-15.

Tim Gilbert

I recently saw a HO scale brass B-15 2-6-0 mogul on ebay. The thing looked awesome. It was made by a company called Pacific Fast Mail around 1977 I believe. I seriously thought about bidding on it until the price got above $275.00. At that point, that was more than I was willing to spend.

A fair price today given supply and demand for an unpainted PFM B-15 brass model might be around $500, and a fair price for an Overland brass B-15 model would be about $600. 750 PFM B-15's were built in 1975, and 250 Overland B-15's were built in 1990. Brass ain't cheap.

Tim Gilbert

You weren't kidding....I have seen several of the Pacific Fast Mail HO Scale B&M B-15 2-6-0 moguls seel on ebay over the past year. I finally decided that I just had to have one. I'm happy to report that I just won one of these lettle gems in an Ebay auction. The final price was $404.75. Based on your "fair price" estimate of $500.00, I guess I did fairly well. I can't wait for it to arrive.

There is also the Lionel B&M B15 mogul that was released about two years ago. That one is O scale. I bought one and it looks pretty good for a Lionel locomotive. (Lionel has been coming out with some stunning O scale stuff ! Great detail.) I bought that locomotive from Charlie Ro's in Malden for about $400. I had the engine converted to two rail.

- Jimi -
Marlboro, MA

Jimi,

I have been told that the Lionel B-15 is about 10% too large for 1:48 scale, but otherwise right on.

Tim Gilbert

I recently got my hands on one of the lionel B-15 models. I had to find one that was sold as "Wabash 836" because apparently all of the B&M models sold out, I checked every Lionel vender on the internet I could find. It is a beautiful model though, and very faithful representation of a B-15.