Maybe there was never a steam shovel for 30" gauge railroads. However I would like to have one for my H0n30 railroad. The starting point was a Rio Grande Models Ltd kit. The steam shovel has to be self propelling, like the prototype was. The white metal frame was too soft for motorizing. That's why I had to build a brass frame. I am using the same NWSL powering kit as for the climax.
Abviously there were 30" gauge steam shovels, Maurice, thank you for the note!
... There actually are prototypes that were used on the 30 inch lines that served Anthracite mining operations. These were used in strip mining. There were also 3ft. and 40 inch lines that used such shovels in anthracite mining, but 30 inch was common. ...
Maurice Grimes
Kingston, PA, USA