For those who haven't seen it yet, I'm taking the default American 4-4-0 model and skin and heavily mutating it, to make a ten wheeler that comes in a lot earlier than the 1.06 version. It's based on "Thatcher Perkins" as far as dimensions and layout go, but with a paint job the sorta fits the over the top style of that period. It's not finished yet, but it's getting there rapidly.
For reference: I'm envisaging this one with a 65 mph top speed, enough grunt to haul a full express consist at 55-60 on flat country, and with speed up grades with a full express consist roughly matching a Connie hauling full freight up the same grade. Pax appeal rating would be either Looks Sharp or Ulltra Cool. Reliability would be Average (same as a Connie) and acceleration Below Average.
The start year of the 1.06 Ten Wheeler doesn't really make sense, because it leaves a big gap for US express locos. There's the American, and then there's the Eight Wheeler, but nothing in between. So my original idea was to use this to replace the 1.06 Ten Wheeler, and have it coming into play in the early 1860's as a decent express upgrade for the 1860-1890 period.
So the question: are people generally cool with this idea, or do they want to keep the 1.06 Ten Wheeler as it is (even though it's really really ugly
![Razz :-P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)