New York Central vs. Penn Central

[angelob6660]

Yesturday I thought of making a small layout of the NYC in the late or mid 1960s before '68 prior to Penn Central.

I wanted at least 3 or 4 diesels and run a small passenger train. While I thought about this I can have a nice size passenger PC train in 1968-71.

Then modeling early Penn Central would be fun, but it always comes down to what diesels and freight cars to buy. Plus most of the NYC diesels I wanted to get but no pictures that resembles the model that their selling.

Should I model New York Central or not. I been questioning that answer since... Don't get wrong, but its a good railroad. I still love Ja Hudson pulling the 20th Century Limited.

[chutton01]

You do realize that modeling PC c1968 would pretty much be modeling the NYC (depending on location, of course), with the ability to throw in some Pennsy power as needed (or, conversely if you're modeling Philadelphia, it's like modeling the PRR with the ability to bring some NYC power in). Repaints as I understand it weren't a high priority, so while there was PC "mating worms" locos around, there was lots of NYC/PRR livery - this was even more true of freight cars.

Don't go too far past 1969, though, if you want a high ratio of NYC liveries - perhaps late 1968/early 1969 would be a "sweet spot" if you want NYC power coupled to PC power

I guess this site would be a good start for period images, although even if you have seen it maybe others haven't

[wjstix]

angelob6660

Plus most of the NYC diesels I wanted to get but no pictures that resembles the model that their selling.

I'm not sure what you mean here - are you saying you can't find pictures to confirm that the models you see are accurate?? Or, that there are specific NYC locomotives you want to get, but can't find them in your scale?? There are a fair number of accurate HO models of NYC engines in the lightning stripe and later cigar band scheme that would work in a 1960's NYC layout.

[farrellaa]

I model the NYC in the early 1960 period (although I don't adhere to it all that much anymore?) and have HO models of F3, F7, E8/9, PA's, FA's, GP-7, GP-9, RS1, RS3 plus many steam locos. I don't know what engines you can't find unless as was mentioned previously you need a specific loco/road number? And there a lot of passenger cars to go with them.

  -Bob

[ruderunner]

I model the PC for some reasons listed above.  PC still had many unrepainted locos when Conrail took over, Rolling stock was worse.  And if modeling 71-75 period, Amtrak was just born and in the rainbow period so pretty much anything goes for passenger equipment.

As for your picture reference, I'm guessing you're referring to paint schemes.  The lightening stripers were pretty much all gone by mid 60's, so you would be lookiing for the "cigar band" paint scheme.  Not as common as the "transition are" lightening stripes but they are availible (or easy to home spray)