Based on the Pacific 4-6-2 boiler and cab, the Mikado creates a personality all its own.  The Mikado has an entirely new motor block built around four of our new patent pending gearboxes first used in the highly successful SD-45.  The gearboxes are driven by a single large can motor equipped with its own cooling fan.  Furthermore, the are three flywheels within the motor block, one between each gearbox.  Many of these features are unheard of in Large Scale Trains.  

Adding to the personality of the Mikado is the all new cast metal drive wheels and drive rods.  Electrical power is transferred through all eight drive wheels.  Locomotive pulling power is transferred from the motor through the flywheels and gearboxes to all eight drive wheels.  In the Mikado the drive rods are not used to propel the locomotive.
	This feature removes disadvantages model steam locomotives have compared to model diesel locomotives.   Model drive rods do not transfer power to the wheels as well as gears do. When built to scale, drive road tend to be delicate and fragile.  The drive rods then require extra maintenance.  Because of their complexity, maintaining the drive rods can be difficult.  These are major causes for model diesel locomotives to out perform model steam locomotives in regards to pulling power, reliability and durability.  With no power being transferred through the drive rods, these model steam locomotive disadvantages are diminished or removed.  Because of the all new gearbox, the Mikado steam locomotive has the performance model diesel locomotives.
There are several detail differences from the 4-6-2 Pacific.  These differences include a larger sand dome and different smoke unit.   The Mikado is the first steam locomotive to utilize the patented smoke unit introduced in the SD-45.  The smoke system produces a large volume of smoke with a large reservoir to allow for long operation.  Furthermore, the smoke unit has built in burnout protection preventing the heating element from over heating and failing when the smoke fluid is used up.	Mikado Smoke Stack and Sand Dome

There are two tenders available for the Mikado.  Depending on the road name, the Mikado will either be equipped with a Long Tender (formerly called Pacific Tender) or a Vanderbilt Tender.  The Road Name list specifies which road name gets the Long or Vanderbilt tender.  

With its all new motor block and patent pending ball bearing gearboxes, super smoke system, cast metal drive rods, and excellent detailing, the Mikado set new standards for model steam locomotives of all scales and have a performance that rivals model diesel locomotives.  The Aristo-Craft 2-8-2 Mikado is truly a great value!

Prototype Information:
The 2-8-2 Mikado "Mike" steam locomotives where built by several locomotive manufactures in the early to mid twentieth century.  Operated by most railroads in North America,  2-8-2's saw service primarily as freight locomotives until the dawn of the diesel locomotive.  With its 2 lead wheels, 8 drive wheels and 2 trailing wheels, the 2-8-2 was perfectly suited for most freight duties on branchlines that could not handle large locomotives but the freight trains where too big for smaller locomotives.  Today, the 2-8-2 Mikado is a popular locomotive for tourist railroads.  Due to their modest size and ample power, Mike's are sure to be a common sight on tourist railroads for years to come.

Blackened cast metal wheels and Drive Rods Engineering Sample 2-8-2 Mikado Mikado 2-8-2 Steam Locomotive (ART-21500 Series) Features: - Patented Smoke Unit with burnout protection (SD-45 type) under Smoke Stack - Can Motor Drive with Built In Cooling Fan - All Drive Axles Gear Driven - 4 Patent Ball Bearing Equipped Prime Mover Gearboxes - 3 Flywheels For Better Locomotive Performance - Operating Front Headlight - Operating Marker / Classification Lights - Moveable Cab Side Windows - Black metal drive wheels with electrical pick-up - Blackened Solid Brass Grab Railings - Boiler and Cab Interior Detail - Excellent Painting and Lettering - MU Plugs for Battery Hookup - Modular PC Board with plug & play capabilities - Sound, Battery, DCC & RCC Ready - Front AAR Knuckle Coupler - Rear Drawbar for Long, Vanderbilt or USRA Tender - Heavy Weight for Extra Pulling Power ALL FEATURES SUBJECT TO CHANGE 8' MINIMUM DIAMETER CURVE REQUIRED

PART NUMBERS & ROAD NAMES 21500 2-8-2 MIKADO UNDECORATED V 21501 2-8-2 MIKADO BALTIMORE &OHIO (B&O) V 21502 2-8-2 MIKADO PENNSYLVANIA (PRR) P 21503 2-8-2 MIKADO UNION PACIFIC (UP) V 21504 2-8-2 MIKADO SANTA FE (ATSF) P 21505 2-8-2 MIKADO SOUTHERN PACIFIC (SP) V 21506 2-8-2 MIKADO SOUTHERN RAILWAY (SOU) P 21507 2-8-2 MIKADO CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN (C&NW) P 21508 2-8-2 MIKADO GREAT NORTHERN (GN) V 21409 2-8-2 MIKADO RIO GRANDE ROUND HERALD P 21510 2-8-2 MIKADO RIO GRANDE FLYING HEARLD (DRGW) P 21511 2-8-2 MIKADO ERIE P 21512 2-8-2 MIKADO NEW YORK CENTRAL (NYC) P 21513 2-8-2 MIKADO MILWAUKEE (MILW) P 21514 2-8-2 MIKADO READING (RDG) P 21599 2-8-2 MIKADO UNDECORATED P Click on Road Name to see photograph or drawing. Not all photos or drawings available Photos and drawings are for reference only. Photos are of pre-production samples. Actual colors and placement of lettering and painting may vary L=Long (Pacific) Tender V=Vanderbilt Tender (4 Axle) Not All Locomotives Available at All Times. *New Road name delivery to be announced.

All prices listed are M.S.R.P. (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) and are subject to change.  The prices are for reference only and may not be accurate.  All prices in this catalog are subject to change without notice or updating of the individual web pages.  Products are not available at all times.  Please check with Aristo-Craft or your local dealer for current availability and prices on all items.

ALL FEATURES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Not all images of products are available. Photos often of pre-production models.  Appearance of actual model may vary from picture. See notes under product lists or at bottom of pages for further information. 

Aristo-Craft Trains and Crest Hobby Electronics are trademarks of Polk's Model Craft Hobbies Inc.