More on modeling steam on the PRSL:
It's been a while, but I finally stumbled across the article on building the Bowser E6s with improvements. The article is Apex of the Atlantics by Tom Busack in the December, 1990 MR (page 116). Mr. Busack used the original Bowser (old Penn Line) boiler, but substituted the MDC tender. I suggest that the MDC boiler might be a further improvement. Model Railroader Cyclopedia Vol. I Steam Locomotives has scale drawings of the E6s.
The current issue of RMC (April, 2015) has a good article on improving the MDC PRR 4-6-0, turning it into a better detailed Long Island G5s. This does not cover the smaller tender used on the PRR, but has very good ideas for the engine. Again, the Bowser G5s mechanism would provide an alternate approach. The MR Cyc. has drawings for the G5s, too.
Tom
I vaguely remember a kitbashing article back in the late '70s or early '80s in which someone mingled the parts from a Bowser Atlantic and a Roundhouse Atlantic. If memory serves, he used the Roundhouse tender and cab, and Bowser parts.for everything else, but it's been decades since I read the article so my memory could be wrong. Just a thought.
True. These things can vary from class to class, and even from individual loco to loco. I would always recommend using prototype photos of the subject as a guide. In the case of the E6s, I believe those changes would be very few, and easy to accomplish.
While I fully support a model builder using components on multiple models, the PRR used the same boiler on multiple engines, but that doesn't mean they had the same running boards, domes, air compressor placement, air reservor arrangement, sand line placments, etc, etc. For a model manufacturer that means that even though the part of the engine with the steam and smoke in it is the same shape, the rest of it may look somewhat different which would limit the ability to use boilers on different engines.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Before Roundhouse introduced their PRR Atlantic, they had an Atlantic that was based on an AT&SF prototype. Then they decided to expand their line, and produced the Atlantic with a PRR boiler and a "Harriman" boiler with matching tenders. As far as I know, the running gear was essentially unchanged from the original AT&SF prototype. I have never owned one of these engines myself, so I hope others will chime in to confirm or refute this. The Roundhouse E6s has a terrific PRR boiler and tender, but I think the drivers are too small if it is based on the AT&SF 4-4-2. The actual E6s used 80" drivers, and a different Walschaerts' valve gear arrangement with a different V. G. hanger.
The Penn Line/Bowser Atlantic has a tried-and-true mechanism with 80" drivers and the correct valve gear, but the boiler details are a bit crude in comparison with the Roundhouse engine UNLESS BOWSER CHANGED IT IN THE LAST YEARS OF AVAILABILITY. That's why I would use the Bowser mechanism under that beautiful Roundhouse E6s boiler. The Roundhouse PRR tender should be just fine.
By the way, I trust you are following the news at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, where the only surviving E6s (no. 460) is being restored. She won't be available for viewing until the job is done, but the project is reportedly progressing beautifully.
P.S. I sent you a P.M.
Tom,
I actually have a Roundhouse PRR Atlantic kit that quite frankly intimidates the daylights out of me. Can you tell me how close it is accuracy wise to an E6. I'm not a rivet counter, but would still like the finished model to be passable. What would need reworking; just details, valve gear, etc?
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
P.S. Once upon a time I had a Tenshodo (I think) E6 that I had to sell for economic reasons. Still hurts to think about it
Chris Ballinger
Modeling the Clementon Branch of the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in HO scale
You may have a long wait. Until then, brass or the Penn Line/Bowser Atlantic might be your best bet. In fact, I've heard of folks upgrading the Bowser engine by adding a Model Die Casting (Roundhouse) PRR boiler. That could be your best bet if you can find the parts.
Thanks for replying Ed and Tom. Forgot about the G5. Those 10 wheelers had a presence on the PRSL as well as the H class, B6, K4 and E6 from the Pennsy, along with G class pacifics and I9 consolidations from the Reading (At least in the mid 50s that was what steam was left). Wanting the E6 is secondary to how much I love the look of those Atlantics!
Thanks again.
The boilers on E6s, G5, and H8/9/10 engines were said to be the same. Sandboxes varied, as did the cabs. I suspect you'll see an H9s from BLI before you see an E6s or G5 because the H9s is identical to the H10s except for its cylinder/valve assembly.
I believe you are correct, Chris. From what I have read in the various PRR books I have on hand PRR's slogan of Standard Railroad Of the World was not so much of a "standard" for the rest of the world, but within PRR standardization was the rule.
Al Stauffer states in his Pennsy Power book that the boiler was shared among three wheel arrangements and five major classes. Atlantics, Consolodations and ten-wheelers all shared a nearly identical boiler.
I love the look of that massive boiler on the E6!
Ed
Hey Folks,
Broadway Limited just sent an e-mail announcing they have almost completed tooling for Pennsy's L1 Mikado in HO scale. Now, the L1 was a rare bird on the part of the PRSL (Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines) I model, but not so the E6. My wish for an E6 Atlantic by Broadway Limited brings me to my prototype question.
If I remember correctly, the K4 and the L1 shared boiler designs, as did the E6 and the H8/9/10. Is this right? If it is I might just get my Atlantic. If it isn't I will go back to holding my breath
Thank you for any information you can provide.