Henry Hospers

kurtkk posted on Chaksi.org:

I have read many posts regarding my grandfather Henry Hospers and his locomotive models. I have always been curious where they all ended up. I believe I am the owner of the missing "Hudson" by the way.

Steve Bratina replied:

While I never met your grandfather, Harold Crouch told me quite a bit about him. I know that his 1" Royal Scot is in the Buffalo area. It was owned by one of the Robinson's at one time. His 1" Princess 4-6-2 frame and tender are with someone in the Montreal club. His Niagara first went to Larry Smith of the Finger Lakes club. Here the crown sheet was toasted and Larry and Harold changed the stays in the firebox. It then went to Ken Hill in Ontario. I was told he took it to the Richmond Hill track and when they placed it on the turntable for the hi line, the table started to tip. They took it off and he put it back in the car. It was up at the McJannett's ground level 1" track where it had a roaring coke fire and no water in the boiler. I have seen pictures of it sitting in the grass after the fire was dumped. I bought it next and was going to rebuild it. I remember that the old stays from the first repair were still in the boiler rattling around. I had the frame up and running on air and even took it to the FLLS track to show. Later I realized it was way too heavy for any hi line track at our club so I eventually sold it. It was reportedly sold again to a gent in Texas. Before I let it go, I took the front number plate off and gave it to Harold a a keep sake. I have some other pictures but will have to dig them up. Here's one of the Niagara running at Larry Smith's home track in the US.

Here is one of Henry Hospers Niagara at the Finger Lakes track. Henry Hospers and a very young Dave Sclavi are at the right of the picture. Photo by Steve Bratina

Henry Hosper's Hudson in 7/8 inch to the foot.

References

• "Henry Hospers Steam Locomotive Models", Chaksi.org
• "Henry Hospers - Master Live Steamer", Richard C. Alley, Live Steam Magazine, April 1974
• "Looking for George the Fifth LNWR drawings HELP", Chaski.org
• "Locomotive history", Chaski.org