Yes, TKM is excellent source of facts. And it is free.
Ive always liked the PRR. And such savings on paint for your rolling stock....only one color needed!
In all seriousness, if many more nice steamers come out in N for the PRR, i will probably start reconsidering my choice of the B&O for my new layout.
an edit here. If you all havent, you need to heck out the PRRTHS free online modeling magazine. Its monthly, free, and FILLED with good writing and color photos, all Pennsy specific. the B&O historical society has a similar online magazine, only theirs is bi-monthly. Two excellent resources, made simply mindblowing because they are FREE.
Not a current project, but more a what-if item:
You could ask the question two ways: 1) What if the Pennsy were still in business and maintained passenger service? or 2) What if Amtrak did heritage paint schemes?
Having lived in the Phoenix area since '61, I've not had much exposure to the Pennsy. Lots of Santa Fe and EsPee. However, there is a spot in my heart for the PRR, having been born in Altoona and living my first 5 years in Juniata. My grandfater retired from the shops and my father worked the briefly before and after WWII.
My central Arizona layout boasts two Bachmann Spectrum K-4's. Set in the late '40's, the theory is that an influential congressman convinced the government that the SORRy was a vital link during the war and the PRR was "persuaded" to lease these 2 engines to us. After the war, with diesels coming, the PRR was not really in a hurry to get them back, so they continued the lease. One is used for passenger traffic, while the other often heads up strings of reefers during the various harvest seasons, getting them to major markets quickly.
I'm trying to develop a logo that will emulate the Pennsy keystone, using the outline of Arizona's borders, with "SRR" over a red bakground.
SPF = Slobbering Pennsy Freak
I confess to being a closet SPF myself. Gotta love those I-1a's!
---
Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
===================================
"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
Athearn announced RTR PRR F7 AB set #9858, for summer 2008:
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH80206
But, this loco number belongs to FP7 locos, and it is coloured DGLE, not tuscan. Comments?
Question: how good are Athearn RTR F locos? Are they much better than before, like SD40-2 or tunnel motors?
Another Pennsy Modeler here! I model what I see as the pinnacle of style as far as the Pennsy is concerned - 1940. Futura lettering on most of the cars, and a good proportion of two tone streamlined paint, with skirting and full width streamlined diaphragms.
How can anyone look at a photo like this and NOT be impressed?
My current project is rebuilding a Bachmann D78cR diner to a D78R. Of a class consisting of 119 cars, they chose the subclass with 3 cars in it, and modeled it in the form that the cars only existed in for 2 years! Typical! The conversion I'm doing involves adding A/C (see the scratchbuilt Frigidaire unit on the photo), redetailing the car overall, and most significantly removing part of the window band of the car and replacing it with scratchbuilt styrene parts.
This is the car as produced: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?function=detail&id=1022
And as rebuilt:
ndbprr wrote:Ok a couple of plugs here. First my understanding of SPF is Slobbering Pennsy freak and why i don't use it. If you model an era of any railroad when the PRR was alive and kicking you model the PRR. Why? Because it had over 10% of all cars in interchange service. So those B60b bagage and R50b express reefers as well as run of the mill cars travelled the country. there have been serious discussions on PRR-Talk about the ratio of foreign cars and PRR classes of cars on serious model railroads of the PRR. So anyone interested in modeling the PRR should subscribe (no charge) to PRR-TAlk or PRR-fax for any questions you may have. There are real experts and not many questions go unanswered. In addition there is a modeling group on Yahoo called PRRPro. The idea is everyone works on the same project and shares there methods of detailing, information and facts. the current project finishing up is the X31 box car followed by the T8 tank car and then H class 2-8-0s. Sometime in the future will be maintenance of way structures. Above all EVERYONE and that means EVERYONE should subscribe to the NO CHARGE keystone Modeler on the PRRT&HS web site. First class information about modeling the PRR and its equipment. A tremendous amount of detail and knowledge is shared and the society offers it at no charge. The information is in PDF format and can be downloaded for personal use. Just recently the Keystone Modeler, the B&O hist. society and the SCL hist. Society created a joint 81 page publication regarding FGEX refrigerator cars. it is available free to anyone who takes time to download it and is a wealth of information. This would be a $25.00 book or higher if offered by a publisher. all excellent sources of information at no charge. Sometimes life is good.
Hmmm.... Yes, I would also like to plug PRRPro. I'm also a member. I participated in the X31 project.
Now, yes, there are some "less than flattering" iterations of the SPF acronym. But most of us pretend it stands for "serious Pennsy fan," and it's that term of endearment I mean when I use it.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Hello, my name is George and I'm an SPF.
<Hello, George>
I grew up a stone's throw from the Philadelphia Harriburg main and have many pleasant memories of visits to Philadelphia on the Paoli local (at one time I had all of the stops from Paoli to Suburban Station memorized). I've railfanned extensively in Southeastern PA, Northern MD and Delaware.
Early on in my modeling career, I had planned to model the Columbia and Port Depoist branch of the PRR running from Perry MD to Harrisburg PA.
While I model a freelance road in Washington State now, my interest in rail marine operations was first kindled by a book I read about the PRR on the Eastern Shore of MD and the barge operations from Cape Charles to Norfolk VA.
Even if I'm not modelling Pennsy, the Standard Railroad of the World is never far from my mind.
Great thread, Dave!
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I model the PRR on my HO layout with a time stamp of 1967. I have 4 high-speed passenger lines, one freight line and one commuter line. The layout is "L" shaped and measures about 16' long by 8' wide on the longest leg. The layout is about 50% complete at this time. When finished I will be able to run all 6 lines and 2 yards at the same time. It is a DCC operation.
Rolling stock consists of approximately 80 passenger cars, 112 freight cars and 30 locomotives. I have been collecting them over 40 years.
The layout has favorite Pennsy sites such as Horseshoe Curve, Galitzin Tunnels, Rockville Bridge, South Amboy Yard, and others, which I modified to fit my layout. There are many stations, towers, and other structures, which are PRR also.
I am a member of 2 PRR historical societies and like building PRR stuff.
My wife and I manage to travel once a year to other states and ride their tourist railroads. We take a lot of photographs and video of each trip.
Doc
Dave, thanks on those facts! So, in 90's we were practically neighbours! Nice!
I am in no position to count every rivet, so those two cars will be on top of the wishlist!
andrechapelon wrote: Hope to hear from other SPFs (if you don't know what SPF stands for, you aren't one!)...!And just because you do doesn't mean you are one. Hint: It has nothing to do with sunblock.Andre
Hope to hear from other SPFs (if you don't know what SPF stands for, you aren't one!)...!
And just because you do doesn't mean you are one.
Hint: It has nothing to do with sunblock.
Andre
SPF= Sugar Pouring Freind
SPF= Sad Pouting Fireman
SPF= Skinny Polite Freshmen
SPF= Sadly Pessimistic Freemason
SPF=Sassy Pontificating Freeloader.
Am i close?
Thommo,
Welcome aboard! Croatia's a long way from Pennsylvania... I have a number of Croatian colleagues at University of Zagreb who collaborate with my lab at North Carolina State University. I also served four months as a NATO peacekeeper in nearby Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1997-98.
Both cars you mention are excellent quality. I'm not in HO, but have Intermountain's N scale version of the X37. I also have the Atlas version of the X26 you show. I do have some Tichy stuff in N and it's top quality.
Accuracy... Only Westerfield makes an exact match to the PRR X26 that I know of. BUT, the Tichy car is close enough that I'd use it anyway (I use the Atlas car with identical, but also inaccurate, bracing). The difference is that the Tichy (and N scale Atlas) designs are based on the USRA single-sheathed boxcar design. The Pennsy used their own design, so the bracing is different. There are other minor differences as well. But again, they're not so big that I'd have a problem with it.
The X37 by Intermountain is almost an exact match to the PRR X37. The only major differences are that the Intermountain boxcar has a raised-panel roof whereas the real PRR X37 had a flat-panel roof. Apparently the floor framing differs a bit as well, but if people are seeing the underside of your boxcars, you need better track!
In summary, both boxcars come pretty close (the X37 is almost a perfect match). I'd use them both. They're good quality cars with excellent detail.
Forgot to ask, what do you say about those two PRR boxcars (concerning quality and accuracy):
X26 by Intermountain/Tichy:
and,
X37 by Intermountain:
Hello to all Pennsy modelers!
I live in Croatia, Europe, and I am building a small HO scale L-shaped layout divided to two segments. I do not have space for anything larger for now, as I am using part of children room for the layout.
Even though I primarily collect middle-european epoch 4/5 models, I am also interested in american transition-time RR's, and PRR freight trains are on top of the list. I am trying to represent fictional PRR branch in mid 50's, when steam was on decline.
As I won't have space on the layout for big number of cars, I am trying to collect few models, but those that are well detailed, and good or very close replica of the prototype.
So, for now I have:- Branchline Blueprint X43 and X44 kits, finished- three Bowser hoppers (I plan to have 10 or 12 car hopper train of GLa and H21 hoppers)- Walthers PRR G25 gondola- for a little non-PRR variety, I have Intermountain ATSF Caswell gondola, PFE 40' reefer, Accurail kit, and Bachmann Cosden 3-dome tankcar
Locos, all PRR: P2K SD9, Spectrum GE 44-tonner, and Spectrum 0-6-0T steam switcher. Also, I have Spectrum 2-8-0 B&O
So, any ideas for good freight cars which goes with my other models are welcome! Thanks!
Hi Dave
Love your work. But too small, needs to be twice that big. LOL
Im workin on a fictional PRR branch that ended up on Cape Cod for some odd reason. Maybe they took over the New Haven earlier than PC did. Or a merger of some sort cause I still have a lot of New Haven power and rolling stock. So far I have three HO modules that apear at local shows with the club. The home layout will have a double track bridge over the canal just like the PRR would do.
Pete P.S. I would call myself a Simple Pennsy Fan. SPF
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
I sadly don't have a layout up as of now, but when I get enough money, I'm thinking of modeling the Horseshoe Curve in HO scale maybe even O gauge hi-rail, which is the main scale I have now. I don't have the finances (I'm 17) the space (my dads office is downstairs) or the time. When I move out, I will probably build a layout reflecting the GREAT PRR. I have been a fan of it since I saw the GG1 at Strasburg, around the age of 6. I am still in awe at that engine.
I guess you can tell from my signature and avatar that I like the PRR, but besides the PRR I like the Reading, CNJ, Lehigh Valley, and the Lehigh and New England.
(Edit: Serious Pennsy Fan)
Dave Vollmer Finished my N scale M1 project! I'm thinking about writing it up for the PRRT&HS The Keystone Modeler. Between fiddling with the bearing blocks and adding additional weight (the Pennsy style boiler allows more room) I can get her to pull 11 boxcars and a cabin (or 18 empty hoppers and a cabin). Quite an improvement, but still nothing compared to the prototype's 4000 horsepower and 64,550 lbs tractive effort...
Finished my N scale M1 project!
I'm thinking about writing it up for the PRRT&HS The Keystone Modeler.
Between fiddling with the bearing blocks and adding additional weight (the Pennsy style boiler allows more room) I can get her to pull 11 boxcars and a cabin (or 18 empty hoppers and a cabin). Quite an improvement, but still nothing compared to the prototype's 4000 horsepower and 64,550 lbs tractive effort...
Nice looking loco, Dave, and a nice job on the conversion work. I think that a write-up would probably be of interest to many Pennsy modellers, and not just in N scale. It's also nice to see others doing loco kitbashing these days and especially seeing people interested in improving loco performance. I kitbashed a Bachmann USRA Light Mountain into a (gasp!) Mohawk for my free-lanced road, basing it on a photo of a NYC Hudson. I also added quite a bit of weight to improve its pulling power. Double apologies for posting a NYC-inspired loco, in HO scale, in your Pennsy thread.
Wayne
She runs pretty well now. I'm still not happy with her pulling power; out of the box, the Spectrum 4-8-2 could hardly pull its tender. Four boxcars were enough to put it in full slip on a 15" radius curve (that's not as sharp as you might think in N scale; it's like 28-30" or so in HO, very reasonable). Most N scalers with this loco have been disappointed with its pulling power.
Planning on a layout that covers the Mingo Junction area so I can interchange with the NYC, C&O, NKP and B&O. Current PRR projects are Bowser N8 Caboose and assembling my H21 and H43 Hoppers, H33 Covered Hopper, and kitbashing G41 Coil Cars.
Other items of standardization was the E6 Boiler was also used on the H8, H9 and H10 Consolidations and G5 Ten-Wheeler. Although many items on the PRR were standard to themselves they were at odds with other railroads such as the left hand lead on their steam engines versus right hand on most other engines. (Although all the models ever built of PRR steam engines use the right hand lead).
Rick
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
...talkin' about what PRR projects you guys are working on!
You know the old saying... If you model North American railroading prior to 1968, you model Pennsy, since 10% of the freight car fleet had PRR keystones on them.
Here's a PRR X31A double-door I built from a Fine N Scale Models resin and brass kit:
Now that we know what SOB stands for, what are we going to talk about?
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Hi Dave,
I come from a long line of railroaders, my grandfather worked for PRR and PC, my uncle worked for PC, CR and now NS, and my father just retired from CR/NS a few months ago. I grew up on the Horseshoe Curve road and spent many summer days on those mainline tracks. One of my fondest memories comes from a day when a train load of tanks stopped right above our house( the main line was like 500 yds from my back door) and my dad took my sister and me up the tracks to see them. That was cool. I've even explored the area where that circus train, or was it a passenger train crashed back in Scotch Run back in the 40's. So yeah, I like the Pennsy alright. I'd like to model something about the PRR for my next railroad, this first one is going to start out as a free lance until I get more experience. You're post title got my attention because I would REALLY REALLY like to model the downtown shops with the few industries it still serves, but it's hard to find good aireal photo's of it. Well, there ya go, you want to know something about us PRR fans I hope I didn't let you down.
BTW Dave, I think you're N-Scale work is pretty awsome.