Custom/Scratch Built O Scale Locomotive

I collect all different types of items, but model railroad stuff is by far the biggest part of the collection. This item was part of the collection from where my last posting item came from. Anything steam related. That collection concentrated on vintage O Scale. I acquired this particular locomotive and tender from that collection. After some research with the help of numerous experts it was determined this model was built in 1938 by custom builder Herman Kloppenburg. Among the models he built was this PRR G5s class. He was known to have built two of these. This one in 1938 and a second one in 1978. The one from 1978 is known to be in a collection elsewhere. After future trips to the collection where I acquired this model I was going through stacks of photographs. Low and behold what did I find? The Custom builders photograph he took of the model after he completed it in 1938. Compare that photo to the photo of the model as it is today, now 2021. Held up pretty good after 83 years. Knowing the history is just as important as the item itself.