The Western Maryland's forte was moving heavy freight trains briskly through challenging territory. Railfans called it the Wild Mary and the road called itself the Fast Freight Line; both nicknames were appropriate. Using some of the nation's most modern steam power, the WM wrestled coal out of the Appalachian Mountains to its own tidewater terminal on the Chesapeake Bay. It also offered shippers the shortest route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic seaboard. The road was known for keeping its motive power well maintained and freshly painted. 

To help move coal out of the West Virginia and Maryland mountains, the Wild Mary bought the H-9 class of heavy consolidations from Baldwin in 1921. Born in the late 1800's, the 2-8-0 Consolidation wheel arrangement ultimately became one of the most popular freight engines of the steam era, reaching its peak use about the time the H-9s were constructed. 

Built just before the dawning of super-power steam that combined power and speed, the H-9s were designed for brute strength. Weighing in at over 150 tons, they developed 71,500 pounds of tractive effort, more than enough power to pull a 100-car, 7,800-ton train. The Western Maryland ultimately obtained 50 of these coal-hauling powerhouses, and several served until the end of steam in 1954. 

The 2014 edition of this muscular steamer sports the distinctive fireball logo of the Western Maryland. Freight enthusiasts can also choose from four other roadnames. As with all 2014 Premier Line steam locomotives, the H-9 comes equipped with the awesome sounds and features of Proto-Sound 3.0 and the versatility of Proto-Scale 3-2. 

Features

•Die-Cast Boiler and Chassis 
•Die-Cast Tender Body 
•Authentic Paint Scheme 
•Real Tender Coal Load 
•Die-Cast Locomotive Trucks 
•Engineer and Fireman Figures 
•Metal Handrails and Decorative Bell 
•Decorative Metal Whistle 
•Metal Wheels and Axles 
•Remote Controlled Proto-Coupler 
•Kadee Coupler Mounting Pads 
•Prototypical Rule 17 Lighting 
•Constant Voltage Headlight 
•Operating Firebox Glow 
•Operating Marker Lights 
•Operating Numberboard Lights 
•Lighted Cab Interior 
•Operating Tender Back-up Light 
•Synchronized Puffing ProtoSmoke System 
•Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments 
•Wireless Drawbar 
•1:48 Scale Proportions 
•Onboard DCC Receiver 
•Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable 
•Precision Flywheel Equipped Motor with the Digital Command System Featuring:- Freight Yard Proto-Effects 
•Unit Measures: 19 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 
•Operates On O-42 Curves