No goose...

If you mean the "figurehead" at the top in front of the light, that looks more like a Hooded Merganser than a goose.

Trace the head in this pic...

(My uncle was a fervent birder....)

Depending on the scale (you didn't mention that...) it might be easier to snip it out of plastic sheet or shim brass. I'd guess it was a crew or engineer mascot.

Canadian Goose

Thanks

Well, at least we agree it's not an eagle, which is an argument I've had before.  Whatever the bird, I need to figure out how to make one that looks good.

You're right, sorry.  HO scale.

You may be right, but I think that if it can be done, a proper 3D model would look better than whatever rough approximation I could come up with.

Looks right to me

That's what I think it looks like.  The question is, how do I draw one that looks recognizable in HO scale?  What few 3D bird models I've been able to find have generally been either standing with wings folded, or have been some type of raptor.

But it's not a 3D model in

But it's not a 3D model in the photo... it's cut out of steel plate, and mounted on a lump of something.

The head shape is all wrong for a goose. The profile clearly shows a crest... and note the hook on the end of the bill which is one of the distinguishing features of the Hooded Merganser. The profile on the locomotive even seems to show the "teeth" in the bill. (click on the photo to see the full size version),  Unlike most other ducks, it feeds on fish, crustaceans, and snails. Carnivore Ducks!

3d model of bird

Ken,

I think I can help you out.  Check out this link. http://tf3dm.com/3d-model/3-birds-16607.html

There is a goose on there with its wings open(along with two other birds).  If you let me know how long from tail feather to tip of beak you want your goose to be I can resize it for you.(actual size in inches would be best) and remove the other birds from the file.  I wouldn't be able to do this until monday though as I am away from my computer with Cad software.  You could then send the ho scale model to shapeways etc fro printing...I can convert it to what ever file format shapeways uses also.

Let me know if your interested.

No 3D geese in Model Warehouse

There is a flat "face me" canadian goose, but that does not help much...  

I think that bar_ceo is confusing the spread wings of the figurehead with the crest of the bird he identifies.  It looks like a goose to me too.

mendell has it!

but you need AutoCad or similar... 

Or you can use a Preiser N scale goose...

The one closest to the center, with added styrene wings, spread... might do for HO...

The photo is for a set being offered on eBay just minutes ago.  You can probably order it directly from your favorite train retailer too.

(No subject)

Still don't see how anyone is getting a goose or wings out of this....

What railroad is this, anyway?  

similar silhouette...

...but it's not a head, but the entire bird.  What you see as the upper beak is the right wing leading edge.  What you see as the lower beak (with teeth) is the neck and head.  What you see as the crest is the left wing.  The "lump"is the body.  It is a cast bronze figure in full 3D, not a plate silhouette.

That's the problem with still photography: it can easily be mis-read.  I hope that with my explanation it will "snap"and you will be able to see what we see.

Still not a goose...

Well, I still don't agree, but I can kind of "force" what you're seeing now that you've described it... and it's still not a goose. The neck is far too short. It would have to be a Brandt.

And the "teeth" I'm seeing are in the upper beak, not the lower. Another name for the Hooded Merganser is the "sawbill".

That is possible...

...It looks stocky for a goose.  You are more of a bird expert, so I defer to you on body shape.  I agree this new bird photo looks more appropriate.

In my opinion, but it cannot be proven unless we found the locomotive (I've been Googling, but no luck!), the sculptor intended to represent a bald eagle but did a poor job...

BTW, I believe Ken models the Danville and Western...

A better view

Perhaps this is a better view. http://southern-railway.railfan.net/dw/

It looks more like it could be a bird of pray the way the wings are posed. I won't think that somebody would mount a sculpted goose on the front of an engine. Common sense would say that's it's a bird of pray given the area of steam engines and perhaps patriotism of that part of the country at that time period. Logical deduction would point to either a hawk or eagle since both birds of pray are in that part of the country. Just my guesstimation of the situation.

Bernd

P.S. It's defiantly not the state bird, cardinal.

D&W #24

Ken had posted all of this in a previous thread about the riveted stack and builder's plate.  The posted detail shot, and another of the entire loco from the same angle (possibly the original) are the only ones I found showing the figurehead. It was not original, nor did it stay for long on the smokebox, apparently.  I agree with Bernd's opinion... it probably was a somewhat crudely made eagle.

This kind of

'hood ornament' is something we need to see an article about in MRH!!! 

For example: why were they done??  For the heck-uv-it??  I've seen antlers done on locomotives, but ducks?  Wonder if Bison heads were done, or antelope or grizzly heads???  An expression of Manifest Destiny??

There's a cool/retro-factor here, but I can't place my finger on it...

In any event, this has piqued my curiosity, but I have no idea where to even begin to research this!  If anyone can shed light on this subject, or at least point me in the right direction, I'd be much obliged!!!

Suggested resource ...

There is a person, Kenney Kirkman, that knows something of the Danville & Western. He apparently participates with the Bassett Historical center in Henry County, VA. Kenney Kirkman also participates with the Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society:

http://Roanoke Chapter, National Railway Historical Society

You may be able to determine the exact type of fowl that was emblemized on #24.

Here is a link to one of their publications from which you can get a mailing address:

http://www.roanokenrhs.org/Newsletter_PDFs/2009/July-Aug_2009.pdf

(yes, I can see that the upper left appendage would be the right wing of the fowl and not a part of the beak.)

don't see how anyone is getting a goose or wings out of this

Yeah, stick a ball in his mouth and call it done?    There must be more info on the odd figurehead if we knew what railroad to look up?  I doubt the loco service crews were too happy about the extra obstruction to their duties?  ......DaveB

...

Definitely a goose...

Common sense rooted in 2014 has no idea what was common sense in 1914...

hmmm....boiled goose?

Smoked goose?

Yes, I second the motion: I would like to know why, and what, was used to decorate boiler fronts.  Ken points out that the Southern used eagles, which I have seen, and have a clear patriotic connotation.  Lions in Brit locos serve the same purpose, I guess.  A well-researched article would be great!  Who volunteers?

Southern Railroad's #2716

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alcomike/12201048583/

This has to be the same cast bronze figure... an eagle!

Thanks guys

Southern Ry. or individual engineers was/were known to put eagles on their locomotives, and those eagles were typically quite well done.  At the very least, they were easily recognizable as eagles, even in the less than stellar photos which we have today.  The Danville & Western was owned by and connected with Southern, and ran Southern equipment on long tern lease and as needed, I would assume that the D&W would have been able to get a decent eagle if they'd wanted it.

The head looks like that of a Canadian Goose to me, although I agree that the neck is too short and the body too stocky.  The position looks like a goose coming in for a landing on water, wings out, head down, tail splayed.  It really doesn't look like an eagle, hawk, or any other bird of prey to me, though I'd be willing to entertain the idea if I could find a bird in similar position.

As for why, I really have no idea.  It was not there when the engine was built, and it was gone in '49 when the engine went to the Carolina & Northwestern.  My guess is that after Southern started painting their engines green and allowing engineers to decorate them (and therefore when eagles started showing up), somebody on the D&W thought it would be nice to have a bird on their engine as well.  Perhaps a goose meant something to them personally (goose farmer in the family?), perhaps a goose was all they could find or afford at the time, or perhaps it was some sort of inside joke (similar to the RGS Galloping Goose).  I've been in touch with Mr. Kirkman and others, and nobody has a good answer.  We'll probably never know for sure what the bird was or why.  To me, that means I have to go with my best guess and what looks good to me.  If it turns out later that I'm proven wrong, at least then I'll know!

rmendell, thanks for the offer.  I'll try to get some dimensions together and send you a note privately.  I'm in no real hurry anyway, as it's likely to be a year or more before this engine is built.

RAGC, I really like the 3D model you posted, though it would need the neck shortened and bent downward.  Also, I hadn't thought of using an N scale goose.  If I can't find a better model, I might do exactly what you suggest.

Final thought for the morning:  I'd also love to see some well-researched article on these ornaments.  Why were they chosen, when were they used, etc.  I'm not sure there was ever any rhyme or reason to it, but it would be a fascinating look at a little bit of steam locomotive history.  Did anybody ever decorate diesels like this?

Wow, good catch!

Ken, look at the eagle I posted

I believe you are correct.  The photo you have does not do the eagle justice.  It HAS to be the same bronze casting, IMHO!

OK, I see you saw it!

Best way would be to find the locomotive... has to be in Virginia somewhere in a museum, and photograph the eagle sides, front, top, bottom.  Then draw from those and get it printed in 3D!  May make for a nice vacation adventure!