TYCO's 245-series steam engine was first shown in 1973-74 as
an 0-8-0 locomotive, rather then the 2-8-0 that would be produced later. This original model appears to be a typical worm-drive
steam engine, the later 245-series Consolidation would be driven by a PowerTorque motor located in the tender of the model.
After appearing as an 0-8-0 in 1973-74, the steamer turns to smoke and is absent from the 1974-75 catalog. The model
number 245 is back in 1975-76, but now as a 2-8-0 Consolidation. The price for this ready-to-run steam engine with smoke was
$33 in the mid-1970's.
The spring of 1976 was the delivery time of the TYCO 2-8-0. Railroad
Modeler magazine features a new product review of this steam engine in the May 1976 issue. A reference is made
to TYCO's TV advertising campaign promoting its Chattanooga Choo-Choo train sets that included this model.
The magazine called the TYCO 2-8-0, "an excellent looking Consolidation that is one of the most powerful small steam locomotives
we have ever seen." The review went on to state, "The detailing on the plastic loco superstructure is excellent and
we think the finest TYCO has done." The retail price was $36 in 1976.
