i can only find the 'a' unit online. would be happy with even a 'b' shell if it exists. i own 2 prr tuscan 'a' units already. thanks all and everyone have the best holidays ever. -rob
Model Power made decent-looking A and B units, long before Walthers and Proto, and they were nice runners and strong pullers.
I had only one A-unit and one B-unit, but modified the B by following an article in the November 1986 issue of Mainline Modeler.
Here's the A-unit, mostly "stock" except for a few added details...
...the B-unit got a fair amount of revisions, mostly for the air intakes, windows, and filters...
All of the cast-on ladders and grabirons were replaced with metal ones, which was a fairly easy job - keep that in mind if you do come across a Model Power E-unit, as you'll likely want those added details so that they look more compatible with your more recent diesels.
The Model Power units had strong motors with some reasonably heavy flywheels, which allowed the units to coast a bit once the track power was shut down.
I'm not sure, but I think that both the A and B units were always powered, but if you find a suitable B-unit with a bad motor, simply scrap the motor and make the B-unit an unpowered dummy. You could use it as-is, or modify it like the one in the photo.Tuscan Red paint is probably available from a variety of sources, so you should be able to find one which best matches your A-units.
Wayne
Hi Mister Mikado,
According to the LL P2K production list, the two HO Pennsy E's produced were A units only. Here is the link.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oGTLvgjIwHmb6zWeujEQq9mbniolqfHYTIY33PTj6Kc/htmlview#
On the plus side, there are LOADS of powered and unpowered P2K LL units available on the secondary market (Ebay, swap meets, etc) that can easily be paint stripped and refinished into the Pennsy scheme.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I bought a "vintage" Union Pacific E7B and repainted it to PRR Tuscan:
PRR E7B Tuscan Paint Scalecoat 2 by Edmund, on Flickr
PRR E7B by Edmund, on Flickr
https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=574755
Walthers and Broadway did offer them in the past.
https://www.walthers.com/proto-2000-diesel-emd-e7a-b-both-units-powered-standard-dc-pennsylvania-5858a-5858b-tuscan-w-single-stripe
Good Luck, Ed
I'm not sure if the Pennsy even had any E8/9 B units. I have seen E7B. In their rush to dieselize they might have skipped those cabless units for more cabs.
Pete.
wrench567I'm not sure if the Pennsy even had any E8/9 B units.
Neither did the New York Central.
E7Bs only. Both the PRR and NYC had fourteen E7Bs each.
Regards, Ed
wrench567 I'm not sure if the Pennsy even had any E8/9 B units. I have seen E7B. In their rush to dieselize they might have skipped those cabless units for more cabs. Pete.
I found a roster of PRR diesel locomotives online. The PRR did not own any E8/9 B units.
https://www.thedieselshop.us/PRR.HTML
Rich
Alton Junction
You guys have been such a great help. If there's no prototype then that explains why there ain't no model. Great tips about repainting, etc. I will probably just AA these beauties after all, that looks cool enough. THANK YOU GENTLEMEN YOU MADE MY DAY!
--a grateful Rob
Hey, Mike. There IS such a thing as Modelers Licence. There is nothing to prevent you from having the PRR in your universe from having E8/E9 B units (Like my PRR GP20's, SD24's and GP3 or my CNJ and LNE RF-16's), And guess what? Rivarossi produced 'em - both powered and dummy -in both PRR red and green liveries. Rivarossi (rivarossi-memory.it) Ebay could be your friend! IT IS!! HO Rivarossi Powered Diesel Locomotive 4279B EMD E8B | eBay
Mister Mikado If there's no prototype then that explains why there ain't no model.
Why does the B unit specifically have to be an E8? The Pennsy used both E7 and E8s interchangeably. So you sandwich an E7B between a pair of E8As?
Flying into Ft.Wayne by Bob Anderson, on Flickr
I used to see four E units on the Broadway through the late sixties and into Penn-Central years. Both E7 and E8 As were often mixed with E7Bs. I don't see where any compromise has to enter into the equation.
PRR 5904; Duncannon, PA; September 1964 by Adam Klimchock, on Flickr
BEAUSABRE Hey, Mike. There IS such a thing as Modelers Licence. There is nothing to prevent you from having the PRR in your universe from having E8/E9 B units (Like my PRR GP20's, SD24's and GP3 or my CNJ and LNE RF-16's), And guess what? Rivarossi produced 'em - both powered and dummy -in both PRR red and green liveries. Rivarossi (rivarossi-memory.it) Ebay could be your friend! IT IS!! HO Rivarossi Powered Diesel Locomotive 4279B EMD E8B | eBay
Thank you Beau! Rivarossi made it in tuscan and it looks quite decent for a molded-on, even with talgos. I made an ebay bookmark for it. -Rob
Glad I could be of help. I don't want to stampede you, but Ebay operates as an auction - things don't hang around forever "in stock" while you make a decision. After 1:20PM on Dec 14, it is gone. And I speak from bitter experience that you may not find another in such good shape and in Tuscan Red for a long time, if ever.
gmpullmanI used to see four E units on the Broadway through the late sixties and into Penn-Central years. Both E7 and E8 As were often mixed with E7Bs. I don't see where any compromise has to enter into the equation.
Yes! Several railroads bought A-B sets of E7s, then later added E8 and/or E9 A units. On the Rock Island Rocket, the normal power for many years was an E8A and E7B. E units, like F units, could all run together - and some railroads ran an E unit and F unit together!
Yes, the P2K line had PRR Tuscan B units. No, they are not E8B units. They are E7B units.
Friend of mine gave me A unit 5863A, along with unpowered B units 5856B & 5862B. All are the Tuscan 5 stripe paint.
The boxes are labeled as E7B. (The A unit is also a E7 per the box.)
The new Walther's Proto line has also issued E7A&B units for PRR.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
The PRR for some reason would also use the Alco PB's between E units. The PAs wound up in commuter service in New Jersey. Proto made a PB you could use.