Conrail Executive Cars

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what type of passenger cars was on the Conrail Executive train? I have the Proto 2000 E-8's 4021 & 4020. I can get the micro-scale decals for the cars and I know that they were painted Pullman green, but I'm not sure what passenger car on the market comes close. I'm afraid if they're 85' cars they won't make my turns. [?]

[Anonymous]

Try here. Looks like a forum where this question was asked:

http://pc.smellycat.com/list/2000-02/msg00157.html

Hope this helps.

[Mark300]

Athearn's #1870 - Std observation undec looks pretty close to the Conrail Exec Cars of the 80's and early 90's. Enclose the back end with clear plastic and you'd have the 'Theater Car' effect where the execs could sit and watch the roadbed and right-of-way pass in any weather.

The office I worked in back in the '80's was next to the former PRR mainline near Paoli PA. I saw the Conrail Exec Car pass a number of times along with the usual Amtrak and SEPTA passenger trains. They were purchased from other roads (SP in Conrail's case).

If you can find a photo and the prototype exec car has a rounded roof then Walther's heavyweight series will work too. I was struck by the bright red end-of-train-lights and can't remember much about the undercarraige or roof. See if you can get an 'Undec' model since they are easier to paint, decal and otherwise detail.

I'm not sure which if the 'take-over' RR's (NS or CSX) got the Conrail Exec car(s). My hunch would be CSX since they still maintain a large stable of passenger cars. Recent issue of Trains Magazine featured a CSX passenger charter to the Superbowl in Jacksonville FL. I have, however seen a NS exec car so possiblities exist. Maybe some of the CSX or NS modelers might know.

HTH.

Happy RR'g

Mark

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of cars came from the former PC and other roads that were folded into Conrail. The theater car was is a Budd car origins unknown. They also had a former Pennsy Budd 7 Conference room car that ran on the Congressional/Senator and a Former ATSF Budd 550 class Dome Bar Lounge Dormitory. Most of the office cars were former Pennsy heavyweights and NYC heavyweights. Athearns HWY Obs will work for the former Pennsy office cars but, will require major roof work
Ch

[Anonymous]

I might have some pictures of the whole business train that I took when the train layed over at the Juniata shops in Altoona PA while the engines were being overhauled. I can not be sure that I will find them but if I do I make note of the person requesting the info and forward the pictures to hime

Charles Burnaford

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark300

Athearn's #1870 - Std observation undec looks pretty close to the Conrail Exec Cars of the 80's and early 90's. Enclose the back end with clear plastic and you'd have the 'Theater Car' effect where the execs could sit and watch the roadbed and right-of-way pass in any weather.

The office I worked in back in the '80's was next to the former PRR mainline near Paoli PA. I saw the Conrail Exec Car pass a number of times along with the usual Amtrak and SEPTA passenger trains. They were purchased from other roads (SP in Conrail's case).

If you can find a photo and the prototype exec car has a rounded roof then Walther's heavyweight series will work too. I was struck by the bright red end-of-train-lights and can't remember much about the undercarraige or roof. See if you can get an 'Undec' model since they are easier to paint, decal and otherwise detail.

I'm not sure which if the 'take-over' RR's (NS or CSX) got the Conrail Exec car(s). My hunch would be CSX since they still maintain a large stable of passenger cars. Recent issue of Trains Magazine featured a CSX passenger charter to the Superbowl in Jacksonville FL. I have, however seen a NS exec car so possiblities exist. Maybe some of the CSX or NS modelers might know.

HTH.

Happy RR'g

Mark

[csmith9474]

Take a look here......

http://www.trainweb.org/passengercars/Indices/BusCar3.htm#CR

[ElectricMotive]

A friend of a friend of mine is working on kitbashing the cars in the Conrail OCS ("Office Car Special") fleet. His plan is to release a whole "how-to" guide at the end of it.

http://community.webshots.com/album/536020833ZOGasN

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark300

Athearn's #1870 - Std observation undec looks pretty close to the Conrail Exec Cars of the 80's and early 90's. Enclose the back end with clear plastic and you'd have the 'Theater Car' effect where the execs could sit and watch the roadbed and right-of-way pass in any weather.

The office I worked in back in the '80's was next to the former PRR mainline near Paoli PA. I saw the Conrail Exec Car pass a number of times along with the usual Amtrak and SEPTA passenger trains. They were purchased from other roads (SP in Conrail's case).

If you can find a photo and the prototype exec car has a rounded roof then Walther's heavyweight series will work too. I was struck by the bright red end-of-train-lights and can't remember much about the undercarraige or roof. See if you can get an 'Undec' model since they are easier to paint, decal and otherwise detail.

I'm not sure which if the 'take-over' RR's (NS or CSX) got the Conrail Exec car(s). My hunch would be CSX since they still maintain a large stable of passenger cars. Recent issue of Trains Magazine featured a CSX passenger charter to the Superbowl in Jacksonville FL. I have, however seen a NS exec car so possiblities exist. Maybe some of the CSX or NS modelers might know.

HTH.

Happy RR'g

Mark

Train Station Products offers a theater car end in HO. I believe it is based on the BNSF prototype, but should work just fine for the Conrail car. It is products number 494.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=&scale=&manu=train+station+products&item=&keywords=&instock=Q&split=270&Submit=Search

[Philcal]

Greetings musicman. You may not be totally out of luck using scale 85ft. cars on your tight curves. The Rivarossi-IHC cars should handle them OK. The Athearn heavyweights scale out to about 70ft, but still look pretty good in operation. You should be able to build a pretty good looking Conrail business train using them.The Walthers and Branchline heavyweights are great looking, but don't do well on tight curves. It may be neccessary to do a little "freelancing" on your business train. That's going to be your decision. I'd encourage you to go ahead and try it. A word of caution on the Athearn heavyweights. The "blue box" kits are rapidly becoming a thing of the past, and most of the cars are ready to run. That may or may not be a problem for you.

[emdgp92]

CSX and NS each got a few of the cars. The NS cars sometimes show up in Pittsburgh. I've seen them at least twice at the station downtown.

[Anonymous]

Check out Wes Reminder's Conrail Site. He's got EVERYTHING you could want to know about the OCS:

Prototype:http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/cr/ocs.htm

Modeling (HO):http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/models/ocs.htm

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

Check out Wes Reminder's Conrail Site. He's got EVERYTHING you could want to know about the OCS:

Prototype:http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/cr/ocs.htm

Modeling (HO):http://www.trainweb.org/conrail/models/ocs.htm

Matt Snell's Yahoo group Conrailmodelers has it too. Those should be able to help you out with all the pics and info you need.