Though in its infancy, the United States' railroad system played an important role during the strife of the Civil War. Like many conflicts, use of railroad equipment was a case of the haves and the have nots with a decided advantage in favor of the Union who initially controlled the country's northern railroad system.
When the war began eyes turned toward Herman Haupt, a former West Point grad, to ensure that the Union's railroad control would remain strong. Initially beginning his career with the Western Maryland Railroad, Haupt eventually became General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad before taking charge of the Hoosac Tunnel on the Troy & Greenfield Railroad in Massachusetts. In the fall of 1882, under Union direction, he organized the Construction Corps Military Railroad. His efforts proved priceless for the Union effort and his name adorned the 4-4-0 that eventually ended up in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's roster after the war ended.
Unlike the Union Army, the Confederates never had an organized railroad. Instead, they relied on captured or "borrowed" equipment. The B&O 231, which fell into Confederate hands during the siege at Harper's Ferry in western Maryland is one such example.
O Gauge model railroaders now have a limited opportunity to incorporate these small snippets of history into their layouts with these attractively decorated 4-4-0 die-cast steam engines. Like all of our RailKing steam engines, these unique locomotives feature our state-of-the-art Proto-Sound 2.0 system - made even more incredible when paired with the Digital Command System.
