Developed as an improvement of the 2-8-2 Mikado design, the 2-8-4 Berkshire gained its iconic moniker while being tested on the tough grades of the Boston & Albany Railroad in the Berkshire Hills. From the mid-1920s to the early 1950s, Berkshires could be found throughout the East Coast and Upper Midwest, and following the steam era's demise, a handful of 2-8-4s returned to steam in mainline excursion service. These included C&O® #2716, Pere Marquette #1225, and Nickel Plate Road #759 and #765. Together with other notable steam survivors, these Berkshires were instrumental in keeping the romance of big steam alive in the American consciousness, and both Pere Marquette #1225 and Nickel Plate Road #765 continue to wow crowds in mainline excursion service to this day. The Bachmann Berkshire arrives DCC sound-equipped with Soundtraxx® Econami™ DCC Sound Value® on board. Sounds include an authentic prototypical chuff, short and long whistles, bell, air pump, steam release, and blower effect. Each model features a precision motor, die-cast chassis, brass-machined flywheel, metal handrails, LED headlight and tender backup light, die-cast marker lights, metal wheels, E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers, and road-specific details and tender configurations.
