For business or a relaxing getaway, there was no finer way to travel between Washington and Cincinnati, than the George Washington of the early 1960s. Known simply as the George to its many fans, the train’s unique personality was reflected in everything from hardworking heavyweights up front carrying mail and baggage, to impeccable service inside the rebuilt Dormitory-Diner. Travel back to a time when getting there really was half the fun aboard our newest HO Scale name train, featuring seven cars and matching E8A diesels.
Locomotives
Based on Class PE-225 EMD E8A units delivered in 1953 and in service to the late 1960s, these superb replicas will be available with ESU LokSound Select sound for DCC & DC layouts, as well as Standard DC versions, perfect for operation or display with the George Washington.
Passenger Cars
A perfect blend of old and new, the George Washington was assigned repainted heavyweight cars to handle mail and baggage, while passengers enjoyed every modern convenience inside the train’s signature 52-seat coaches and 10-6 sleepers or relaxed over a meal in the dormitory-diners, rebuilt especially for the train. Finished in the post-1954 paint and lettering schemes, and complemented by our real metal finish that simulates stainless steel as appropriate, you can easily mix and match cars to build an authentic consist of this legendary train.
Flagship of the Chesapeake & Ohio, the George Washington was a favorite with folks traveling for business or pleasure between Washington, DC, and Cincinnati. Serving other key southern cities and famed resorts along its route, it was known simply as the George to its legions of fans. Designed for maximum comfort with unique interior features, riders enjoyed C&O’s unique streamlined Pullman-Standard coaches or cozy overnight accommodations aboard luxurious 10-6 sleepers. In later years, meal service was provided inside updated dormitory-diner cars, rebuilt especially for the train. Following the consolidation of B&O passenger services, George became the hardest working train in America, handling up to 16 cars (including repainted heavyweights carrying mail and baggage) and requiring a trio of E8A units on parts of its run. Blocks of cars were set out and picked up at major stations en route, with service extending as far west as St. Louis. C&O’s long-standing tradition of providing the finest service possible continues into Amtrak era, with much of its route now served by the Cardinal.
A perfect blend of old and new, you can easily mix and match cars and locos to create a complete George Washington in HO Scale with these fully assembled models featuring:
Passenger Equipment Features
Seven cars for an authentic consist
Based on cars assigned to George Washington service from 1954 to 1971
Real metal finish simulates stainless steel as appropriate
Prototypically accurate window tinting & gaskets as appropriate
Factory-installed stainless steel grab irons
Modeler-installed extended drawbars for 22" radius curves
Detailed interiors
Turned metal wheelsets and correct trucks with built-in electrical contacts
Proto MAX™ metal knuckle couplers
Locomotive Features
C&O Class PE-225 EMD E8A Units
Based on Class PE-225 EMD E8A units delivered in 1953 and in service to the late 1960s
Limited edition - one-time run of these configurations
Available with ESU LokSound Select sound for DCC & DC layouts
NEW - Dual lens lower headlight in door
Mars light in upper headlight opening
Brass Nathan five-chime air horn with all bells forward
Whip-type radio antenna w/conduit
Farr air grilles
Wire ladder grabs and separate MU connection on nose
Automatic Train Stop pickup shoe
Single steam generator
Passenger pilot with exposed coupler
Flush numberboards
Spark arrestors
Skirted fuel tank
Winterization hatches
Five-pole, skew-wound, high-torque, high-efficiency can motor
Helical gears with 12:1 ratio for smooth, ultra-quiet running
Easy multiple-unit operation
Superb paint & lettering to match George Washington cars
LED constant headlights
Heavy die cast metal underframe
Proto MAX™ metal knuckle couplers
George Washington Consists
Befitting its flagship status, the George Washington was listed in public timetables as train number one (westbound) and two (eastbound). By the 1960s, it was actually several trains in one, setting out and picking up blocks of cars at key cities that then operated as separate trains continuing to Detroit, Louisville, Chicago and St. Louis. The following lists from June of 1965 illustrate the complexity of these operations, showing the type and routing for each car.
Train #1 Westbound Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, Ohio
Railway Post Office (Washington - Cincinnati; except Sundays;)
Baggage (Washington - Cincinnati)
10-6 Sleeper (Washington - Cincinnati
Lounge-Diner (Washington - Cincinnati)
Coach (Washington - Cincinnati; Friday, Saturday & Sunday;)
Coach (Washington - Cincinnati)
Coach (Newport News - Cincinnati
10-6 Sleeper (Newport News - Chicago)
10-6 Sleeper (Charlottesville - Detroit)
Coach (Newport News - Detroit)
Coach (Washington-Louisville)
Coach (Washington-Louisville)
Coach (Washington-Louisville)
10-6 Sleeper (Washington-Louisville)
Mail-Express (Charleston - Cincinnati; except Sundays & Monday mornings)
Mail-Express (Huntington - Cincinnati; except Sundays & Monday mornings)
Mail Storage (Empty car between Huntington-Cincinnati)
Express (Empty car between Huntington-Cincinnati; Monday & Tuesday mornings)
Mail Storage (Washington-Huntington)
Mail Storage (Washington-Charleston)
Mail Storage (Washington-Charlottesville)
Express (Except Mondays, via PRR New York - Charleston)
Mail Storage (Empty car between Ashland-Cincinnati)
Mail-Express (Ashland-Cincinnati)
Train #2 Eastbound Cincinnati, Ohio, to Washington DC
Mail Storage (Tuesday morning only; empty car from Charlottesville - Washington)
Mail Storage (Monday morning only; empty car from Charlottesville - Washington)
Railway Post Office (except Sunday; Cincinnati - Washington)
Baggage (Charlottesville - Washington)
Mail Storage (Cincinnati - Richmond)
Baggage (Cincinnati - Newport News)
Coach (Cincinnati - Newport News)
Coach (Cincinnati - Washington; Friday, Saturday & Sunday only)
Coach (Cincinnati - Washington)
Lounge-Diner (Cincinnati - Washington)
10-6 Sleeper (Cincinnati - Washington)
Coach (Louisville - Washington)
Coach (Louisville - New York via PRR train #172 The Federal)
10-6 Sleeper (Louisville - New York via PRR train #172 The Federal)
11-Double Bedroom Sleeper (White Sulphur Springs - New York via PRR train #172 The Federal)
11-Double Bedroom Sleeper (Hot Springs - New York via PRR #172 The Federal)
10-6 Sleeper (Ashland - Newport News)
Mail Storage (Cincinnati - Charleston)
Mail-Express (Cincinnati - Huntington)
Mail Storage (Cincinnati - Ashland)
Adding the George Washington to your layout or collection is easier than ever with two superb sets of railroad-ready models. Designed for the most demanding modeler, each features factory-printed car names and/or numbers – 14 in all – as appropriate. Other features available only on these cars include 80+ Preiser passengers and crew throughout the train and factory-installed LED lighting as appropriate.
Limited to just 200 sets each and sold only as a complete seven-car set, all Deluxe Edition cars are scheduled to arrive in the same month as standard models, with deliveries beginning in January 2018. Individual Deluxe Edition cars vary in price between $75.00 and $120.00 each.
Remember, our past Deluxe Edition car sets have sold out in a matter of hours – contact your participating dealer, visit walthers.com, or call us at 1-800-247-2467 now to reserve yours!
920-818 Deluxe Edition George Washington Train – Seven Car Set #1 $729.96 70' Heavyweight Railway Post Office-Baggage #52 70' ACF Heavyweight Arched-Roof Baggage #331 85' Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coach Fluted with Skirts #1647 85' Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coach Fluted without Skirts #1618 85' Pullman-Standard City of Charlottesville 10-6 Sleeper Plan 4167 Fluted with Skirts #2604 85' Pullman-Standard City of Newport News 10-6 Sleeper Plan 4167 Fluted without Skirts #2606 85' Pullman-Standard Blue Ridge Club Dormitory-Diner Rebuild Plan 4165 #1923
920-819 Deluxe Edition George Washington Train – Seven Car Set #2 $729.96 70' Heavyweight Railway Post Office-Baggage #53 70' ACF Heavyweight Arched-Roof Baggage #329 85' Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coach Fluted with Skirts #1622 85' Pullman-Standard 52-Seat Coach Fluted without Skirts #1654 85' Pullman-Standard City of Ashland 10-6 Sleeper Plan 4167 Fluted with Skirts #2624 85' Pullman-Standard District of Columbia 10-6 Sleeper Plan 4167 Fluted without Skirts #2602 85' Pullman-Standard Bluegrass Club Dormitory-Diner Rebuild Plan 4165 #1924
