Lionel 6-38058 Joshua Lionel Cowen Series H-7 Class 2-8-8-2 Chesapeake & Ohio #1580 TMCC

Joshua Lionel Cowen Series H-7 Class 2-8-8-2 LocomotivesThis third entry of the Joshua Lionel Cowen Series represents the first time that this historic steamer has ever been offered in die-cast metal O gauge. The H-7 Class was the first fleet of simple articulated steam locomotives in America and influenced later designs such as the Challenger and Allegheny. First built for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in 1924, the H-7 2-8-8-2 articulated became the mainline freighter of choice through the 1930s. Even with the advent of more modern power, the H-7 class served on the C&O through the end of steam in the 1950s.Some of these "Simple Simons" even worked far away from their eastern origins. During World War II, the Union Pacific purchased 30 of these steamers from the C&O. Equipped with big 21,000 gallon tenders, the H-7's fought up Sherman Hill with Challengers and Big Boys.Living up to a level of detail worthy of the Joshua Lionel Cowen Series, virtually all piping and appliances on the H-7 locomotives are separately applied. The cab interior is accurately detailed and painted. Each version includes running boards, handrails and tenders specific to their particular prototype. Both tenders include separately applied coal, as well as easy-to-access RailSounds controls under opening tender water hatches.The Lionel H-7 locomotives also mark the debut of the RailSounds 5.0 sound system. New CrewTalk and TowerCom announcements allow increased interaction between the train crew and the dispatcher. Announcements even vary when the locomotive is moving or when it is stopped. Updated DynaChuff synchronized chuffing includes 15 levels of intensity that shift automatically with the locomotive's speed or can be adjusted manually for customized effects. The enhanced MultiWhistle effect now doubles the variety of whistle sounds. An all-new, independently adjustable volume control allows you to lower the level of background effects such as chuffing or the compressor from your CAB-1 Remote Controller while keeping operator-controlled effects such as whistle and bell at full volume. For those who prefer to run the H-7 in a non-TMCC environment, most of the RailSounds 5.0 effects, even CrewTalk dialog and TowerCom announcements, are accessible with most conventional transformers.