The Rivarossi HIAWATHA (Part Three)
Written by P.G.
We now continue the evolution of our locomotive.
This is the oldest piece I own and one of the first ever sold; according to the store’s cash receipt, it was purchased in January 1949. It has the frame and trolleys of the first version, a ” type 1″ engine and ย it is equipped with a smoke generator device, the socket takes place only by the wheels of the locomotive. The tender is free of emblem and writing. It bears the number โ057โ on the sides of the cabin. Note the hand rails mounted on the supports.
This is a Hiawatha of 1950; it has similar characteristics to the previous model, but has writing and coats of arms on the tender and is marked โNo. 067โ on the cab. Furthermore, the silver paint has a finer grain. The paintwork was completed with a protective “haze”.
The same locomotive together with a black Hiawatha dated 1950 too.
This black version, a rarity in the rarity, (only ย a few dozen copies were produced: of those who have come to our days?) Has a livery “FS” that does not correspond to reality, the superstructure in black bakelite colored in the mass, finishes and red wheels. The handrails are fixed by means of wire loops steel ….
… The frame is that of the second version in lead alloy, the engine is of the type “1” ….
… Nose gear and rear “bissel” are second version …
The outlet powerย is only through the wheels of the locomotive.
Like the black version of the 626, the label of the box bears a stamp with the word “BLACK”.
And here is a “litter” of our locomotives
with the black swan in the foreground …
This second black Hiawatha is dated 1952 …
Compared to its predecessor the bakelite superstructure is more glossy, red finishes are of a slightly more muted, the “bissel” back is the third type, however, devoid of the sides, the frame is “1” and the taking of side ground current exclusively via running wheels and not the drive.
The two black Hiawatha that we just talked about will make good company
in the two following photos …
of this locomotive I also saw a “false” obtained from a kit box with wheels red repainted …
In the first catalogues this locomotive was also proposed in green, however, in more than 60 years of collection, I have never seen a green version of this locomotive .
the following Hiawatha is dated 1954 …
… Even with the body with smooth sides …
ย … type “1” engine and frame, outlet from the wheels of the locomotive ….
nose gear of the second version and “bissel” already third version with side panels screwed.
This other Hiawatha is always dated 1954ย …
… which complies with all technical features of the previous ….
… But it is already equipped with the body of the second version with “nails” without the identification number on the cabin walls.
This locomotive was produced in 1955 …
… It has a type “2” engine, the frame of the third version, the nose gear of the second version and “bissel” of the third version. The outlet is via the wheels of the locomotive and on the tender is naturally present the connection cable between the two vehicles.
A particularity of this Hiawatha is the different shades of yellow between the locomotive and the tender (the latter has a shade that is closer to orange).
This other locomotive is dated 1956 and has all the features of the previous model …
… .with the exception of the yellow tones darker and less tending towards the orange.
This complete set is dated December 1957….
… Locomotive, cars and track and … .
with the image of a 691 FS on the cover ….
belongs to the last batch ( 1958 -1959) of this locomotive …
… which has certain different technical details from the earlier versions (screws with different head bulb “small”, thinner cables, but also a paint finish less tending towards the orange, but semi-matt …
And now, to round off, here is a “family photo”, which brings together some of the locomotives described in ย this article … ..
… And two suggestive vintage
Rivarossi Hiawatha
advertising posters ….
If I have bored you with details of my descriptions, I would advise you to relax and also just enjoy the photos of this locomotive: the Rivarossi Hiawatha
is just beautiful !!
and now aboutย Hiawatha man
