Aristocraft MIKADO 2-8-2

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.