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For New Haven Fans

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For New Haven Fans
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 6, 2004 4:55 PM
Ok troops, here's your NH forum, anything NH, and I do mean anything, from Steam to Electrics to Diesels and anything else with an NH logo on it. This will be an open discussion of anything NH so does anyone have questions, answers, or just plain old BS about the NH to start. Have fun.
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, June 6, 2004 8:14 PM
I'm a fan of the big EP5 jet locomotives. While not as large GG1s, they could haul long trains at high speeds. I plan on getting one from Branford Hobbies.

Getting an EP4 from "Fratesci". Yes, it looks a little cheesy, but decent. From the looks on the website, nothing that an alcohol bath and some "Details West" items can't handle!

Also liked the unique looking "American Flyer" cars, particularly the streamlined coaches. I've been very fortunate that one of the gentlemen that works at my LHS has a set of E&B Valley (I think it became Funaro, later) car kits in New Haven, already metalized. Boxes look old, but the kits inside are still brand new! He sold them to me at the price he bought them for originally: $12 each! A sweet bargain. Only frustrating part for me is that the kits must be glued together, carefully. (I'm still playing catch up on upgrading locomotives!).

Five cars is my goal to make a decent looking commuter train as I remember them around 1969. I plan on installing the IHC/Rivarossi interiors along with lighting kits.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by joecool1212 on Sunday, June 6, 2004 10:54 PM
I have a question. I boat in NY on the hudson river and my favorite anchoring spot is in Haverstraw bay on the east side by a small tunnel and some really nice houses with rr tracks almostin there back yard. Well the question is every day a few times a day I see a diesel loco letteredin NH black and white with red in it. I thaught NH was gone. Im not from conn so the only thing i know about NH is my HO paint colors for NH. Anyone help with this. Just somthing to think about while im at anchor. Joe
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Posted by newhavenguy on Monday, June 7, 2004 12:40 AM
What you might be seeing Joe are the rebuilt New Haven FL-9's operated by Conn DOT. They are painted in New Haven colors as a tribute and run by the state of CT on thier commuter trains. I think some of them make it up the Harmon line.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by newhavenguy on Monday, June 7, 2004 12:57 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

I'm a fan of the big EP5 jet locomotives. While not as large GG1s, they could haul long trains at high speeds. I plan on getting one from Branford Hobbies.

Getting an EP4 from "Fratesci". Yes, it looks a little cheesy, but decent. From the looks on the website, nothing that an alcohol bath and some "Details West" items can't handle!

Also liked the unique looking "American Flyer" cars, particularly the streamlined coaches. I've been very fortunate that one of the gentlemen that works at my LHS has a set of E&B Valley (I think it became Funaro, later) car kits in New Haven, already metalized. Boxes look old, but the kits inside are still brand new! He's selling them to me at the price he bought them for originally: $12 each! A sweet bargain. Only frustrating part for me is that the kits must be glued together, carefully. (I'm still playing catch up on upgrading locomotives!).

Five cars is my goal to make a decent looking commuter train as I remember them around 1969. I plan on installing the IHC/Rivarossi interiors along with lighting kits.

I hope to have a set of five commuter cars,


The E&B Valley became Eastern Car Works. The HO scale models are still produced as the "SS coaches" in the Walthers catalog. The NH Osgood Bradly lightweight coaches of the 1930's are the commuter coaches listed. So you can still get them. I have 7 of the stainless cars myself from E&B. The trucks are crap. They can be replaced with 41-BNO trucks made by Train Station Products #419 or Custom Finishing #309 41-BNO trucks. The cars should weigh about 6 oz. to track well as they are extremely light when built. Body mount the couplers with KD's #48 and replace the diaphrams with Walthers sprung ones.

I too am getting the Fratisci EP-4. What I plan to do is put a Broadway Limited drive/sound unit under it. This is very close to the NH EP/EF-4 trucks. To make a NH model the doors have to be moved, the side body intakes modified and a steam generator stack built. Should be challenging.

Also if you haven't heard, Atlas is making the HO version of the NE-6 New Haven caboose in 2 numbers plus undecorated. Pretty reasonable pricing too.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 7, 2004 10:23 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45
NHRRJET stated that prototype EP4s remained in the green paint scheme and didn't make it into the McGinnis paint scheme, but I'm seriously considering "dodging the rivit counters" and freelancing one anyway. As a kid, the McGinnis scheme is all I saw on NH commuter trains (EP5 or FL9).[8D]



There was a painting diagram for an EP-4 im "McGinnis" paint scheme....its unlikely, however if any were ever painted in it Before being retired.
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Posted by newhavenguy on Monday, June 7, 2004 11:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Thank you New Haven guy! [:D][8D]

I'm saving your info. Quick questions: You say you're putting a BLI sound unit? By that , are you getting a GGI and using the chassis? I don't think BLI sells sound units individually (unfortunately)


Yes I'm putting in the whole chassis. I'm getting a GG-1 and just swapping the body. I'll have to make new mountings.


QUOTE: I went to the Fratesci site. Though I speak Spanish and read it (slowly) I did not see a price in American dollars. How much is it? Would an LHS be able to obtain an EP4 or is this something that must be mail ordered?


I believe it was $81.34 PLUS shipping charges. Still that's pretty good for an electric model theses days.

QUOTE: NHRRJET stated that prototype EP4s remained in the green paint scheme and didn't make it into the McGinnis paint scheme, but I'm seriously considering "dodging the rivit counters" and freelancing one anyway. As a kid, the McGinnis scheme is all I saw on NH commuter trains (EP5 or FL9).[8D]


That would be different [:P]

QUOTE: I'll take a look as too how challenging relocating the doors would be. I'm not as "extreme" as I used to be and can live with small discrepancies "here and there" as long as the overall appearance captures the "flavor" of the prototype.


It is pretty extreme. The doors are going to be the challenge. You have to move them from the body to the cab. Don't know why the Brazilians did this on their unit (which is what this is a model of) but I bet it had something to do with the heat and dust.

QUOTE: Thanks, guy!


[:p][:p][:p]

Your welcome
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, June 7, 2004 11:50 AM
Thank you New Haven Guy,

Re: the cab doors.

Sounds like a matter of removing the current door details and filling in the area with resin or putty, then obtaining similar styled doors from a parts company like Details West, carefully cutting open new doorways and installing. Being a double ender I guess that's 4 doors. That is a challenge but I think I could "go for it".

By the way do you know of any websites where there is a picture of the prototype EP4? To my surprise there are none on the www.railpictures.net website.

As for body mounting the couplers on the commuter cars, I'd go for this ONLY as long as they would be able to negotiate "22 radius curves which is rather tight for passenger cars.

Thanks again!

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by newhavenguy on Monday, June 7, 2004 9:06 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Thank you New Haven Guy,

Re: the cab doors.

Sounds like a matter of removing the current door details and filling in the area with resin or putty, then obtaining similar styled doors from a parts company like Details West, carefully cutting open new doorways and installing. Being a double ender I guess that's 4 doors. That is a challenge but I think I could "go for it". [/qoute]

Yes, I think I will be doing the same thing. Or I might have to scratch build them.

QUOTE: By the way do you know of any websites where there is a picture of the prototype EP4? To my surprise there are none on the www.railpictures.net website.


yes try www.nerail.org Click on "Browse by Railroad" then New Haven

As for body mounting the couplers on the commuter cars, I'd go for this as long as they would be able to negotiate "22 radius.

Thanks again!


YOUR WELCOME! Glad I can help.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, June 9, 2004 7:19 PM
Update on EP4

Found the e-mail address and zipped them a note. [:D]

Got an answer a day later! Good news! There is a U.S distributor for this locomotive. [C):-)][tup]

Contact info:
Alan Morean
19 Cedar Avenue
St. Marys, PA 15857 Telephone: (814) - 781 - 6671

newworldtrains@alltel.net

Looking forward to getting one of these units later this year! [dinner][(-D]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by newhavenguy on Thursday, June 10, 2004 8:20 AM
There is also Miami Trains. That's where I ordered mine. www.miamitrains.com A gal named Marta will get a in touch with you. The lady is putting together an order for several Frateshi models. Send her a note. We could all save on shipping if we put our orders together. I'm not affiliated with them at all. Just sounded like a good deal to me.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by joecool1212 on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:30 PM
Thanks newhavenguy, They are some of the coolest passenger trains running. I get tired of only seeing Amtrak and Metro North's same old stuff. Joe
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, June 16, 2004 6:29 AM
Had a pleasant surprise surfing New Haven related sites. An old color picture of a New Haven Alco DL109 in McGinnis colors! I had always thought that these units remained in the green colors until they were retired.

Sad that none of these units survived.

JoeCool,

Sounds like you're referring to the present modern equipment thats been "painted" in the New Haven scheme. This was done by a state agency, not sure which one. It is really neat the New Haven "lives on".

The actual New Haven Railroad was absorbed into the Penn Central on or just before 1970, which in the mid-70s became Conrail.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 19, 2004 9:35 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Had a pleasant surprise surfing New Haven related sites. An old color picture of a New Haven Alco DL109 in McGinnis colors! I had always thought that these units remained in the green colors until they were retired.

Sad that none of these units survived.

JoeCool,

Sounds like you're referring to the present modern equipment thats been "painted" in the New Haven scheme. This was done by a state agency, not sure which one. It is really neat the New Haven "lives on".

The actual New Haven Railroad was absorbed into the Penn Central on or just before 1970, which in the mid-70s became Conrail.


Actually these units were painted in several differant paint schemes. Green with yellow pin stripes was one, layer cake was another, black with white or silver pin stripes, and McGinnis. There may be 1 or 2 more, would have to check my book. Oh ya, Cranberry with white pin stripes. Actually I think the Cranberry was really a color called China Red.
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Changing the subject....
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 20, 2004 5:11 PM
Anybody model the NH under wire? I just added a 5' mainline diaroma to my layout with Model Memories' catenary bridges and wire.

Also, check out next month's MR, I got a sneak peak from Rick Abramson at a lecture, and you don't want to miss this one, NH fans!
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Posted by newhavenguy on Sunday, June 20, 2004 10:02 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianiu

Anybody model the NH under wire? I just added a 5' mainline diaroma to my layout with Model Memories' catenary bridges and wire.

Also, check out next month's MR, I got a sneak peak from Rick Abramson at a lecture, and you don't want to miss this one, NH fans!


Yeah. Rick does some fine "under wire" modeling. Also if you haven't already gone there, come joins us at the New Haven Technical and Historical Assoc. website: www.nhrhta.org. There is a forum there to ask questions and get accurate answers. Be aware that there are 2 distinct groups on the forum. Modelers and Historians. Both of which can pass on some pretty interesting information on the NH.

BTW the NH ceased to exsist on Dec 31,1968 when it was absorbed into the PC. The exNH EP-5 were re assigned to commuter service and the FL9's to the Harlem River branches of the exNYC. Some units did go through to Washington while under PC but it was rare. When Amtrak took over in May of 1971 anything could go anywhere. NH GP9's were used on passenger trains into Washington too. These has steam generators. HEP equipment was just gaining acceptance so there wasn't much of that yet until Amfleet cars and F40's/SDP40F's.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Monday, June 21, 2004 1:10 AM
NewHavenGuy,

Thanks again! After the birth of Amtrak passenger trains looked like "rainbows" for several years. It would stand to reason that locomotives were put where needed. I have a picture in a Don Ball book of two Penn Central RS3s pulling an Amtrak train in the northeast corridor during the early 70s when its GG1 conked out.

10-4!

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by newhavenguy on Monday, June 21, 2004 1:40 AM
Ya know, all the locos on the NEC were on a deferred maintenance program. If something major broke, they didn't fix it. It went to the dead lines. We still might have GG1's and EP-5 electric running if they were on a rebuilding progrm. Put a few parts into them and they could run forever. Look at the FL9's.They were built in 1956/57 and they were used through today. I think there might be a few left on the NEC.
Bill **Go New Haven**
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 10:37 AM
Believe it or not, I model the present! I have a couple E33's, a RDC, and an alco, but the bulk is Amtrak and Metro North!

Don at Model Memories has expressed interest in having some of my photos on his site, so look for them in the future.

Newhavenguy- I already belong to that forum, and it's great to have modelers as well as old timers who can tell you just about anything, as well as teach you some new four letter words regarding the Penn Central!
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Posted by NHRRJET on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:32 PM
Gentlemen:

Thank you for your kind compliments regarding my NH layout and catenary. I'm sure you will enjoy the upcoming article on my layout in the August MR. After you see it, should you have any questions, please feel free to ask. My feeling is that this knowledge should be shared with others.
I am very proud of the fact that the staff of MR thought my work was worthy of their magazine. I truly hope that all of you feel the same.
I am also very proud to be a former NYNH&H employee; the New Haven is dead, long live THE NEW YORK, NEW HAVEN AND HARTFORD RAILROAD COMPANY!!
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by NHRRJET on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:42 PM
Gentlemen of this forum:

I wi***o clear something up on an earlier posting. I had indicated that none of the EP-4s ever received McGinnis colors, this is true. Somehow, another quote was included in mine indicating that I planned on painting an EP-4 in McGinnis colors. . . .NOT TRUE! I think this quote was accidentally added to mine. Just want to set the record straight.
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:08 AM
Rick-
I was at the prototype modeler's meet and enjoyed your slide show/lecture a lot. The magazine article looked great, but I'm sure it'll be better still in color!! Keep up the good work!
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Posted by NHRRJET on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 3:39 PM
Thanks!
I'm really glad you and the others enjoyed the "11000volt" clinic. I truly enjoyed presenting it,and was equally as thrilled with the calibre of questions asked.
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Saturday, June 26, 2004 11:28 PM
I now have 4 of the NH "8600 series commuter cars (from E&B Valley). After assembling, I will install IHC coach interiors in them as well as lighting. I'll have to look at the movie "The Out of Towners" (Jack Lemon) to see what color the seats were in the coaches as I always paint my interiors.

From what I remember, the interior walls and ceiling should be yellow-tan or cream, but I don't remember what color the seats were! [:)][:D][8D][8)]

Guys, thanks again for your help!

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by NHRRJET on Saturday, June 26, 2004 11:43 PM
The green stripe on the NH 8600 series coaches is not left over from the NH. ALL the stainless steel cars in this series, coaches,parlors,diners and grill cars rec'd the red/orange window panel. PC painted the green on the window panels. The seats were a dark, royal blue velour type of material.
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Sunday, June 27, 2004 7:47 AM
NHRRJET,

Thanks again! [8D]

Glad you mentioned this. You're correct! I forgot to take into account that the picture in the Don Ball book of the NH train is during the Penn Central era (The EP5 shown is black!).
I'll definetly repaint the window panel to the red-orange color with an aibrush.

BTW: Is there a formula available for an accurate NH red-orange color or is it already available by model paint manufacturers?

Appreciate the info on the seat colors. I'll be putting the sable paint brushes to work.

Cheers in Run-8! [4:-)][tup][C):-)][tup]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by NHRRJET on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 9:58 PM
Antonio:

Accupaint makes an excellent NH serial 409 red/orange and the "Socony Red" which is actually NH serial #428. Micro-scale makes a great set of NYNH&H passenger car decals.
Do you have the NHRHTA Color Chip Book? Its an excellent source for true NYNH&H colors.
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 10:42 PM
Thanks guy!

I'm not familiar with Accuflex. I've used Floquil and Testors for years and have recently switched over to Acrylics (Polly Scale, Model Flex, and Model Master Acryl)
I'll check with my LHS rep to see if he stocks this paint, or if this number can be crossed referenced to one of the above mentioned brands.

Thanks again! [C):-)][tup]

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by NHRRJET on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 1:18 AM
That's ACCUPAINT, not ACCUFLEX! If you check the Walthers website for Accupaint they show all the colors with stock numbers. I've been painting with Accupaint since the 1970's and think its great!
Richard L. Abramson
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 7:49 AM
My slip-up! It is Accu-paint.

I was able to get the info. In the ModelFlex paint line from Badger the New Haven Red Orange code is 16-182. I've switched over to acrylics as my wife was complaining about the smell of Floquil and some of the other solvent based finishes, even if I painted outside.

I didn't like waterbased paints in the past as I felt they weren't durable. However, at the annual H&R train show this past spring, John Lee of Badger put on an impressive airbrushing demonstration using ModelFlex paints. Fast drying, super smooth flow out, and virtually NO SMELL. In the Badger Airbrush chart book there is a picture of John's award- winning HO Burlington Northern EMD switcher. I decided to give water based paints another try. While there is a small learning curve, I've been very satisfied. Currently I'm using ModelFlex, Polly Scale and Model Master Acryl.

It's not my intention to "bad talk" the solvent based finishes. I still have Scale Coat paint that I will use for the Alclad Metalizing system. My main motivation for the acrylics is the low toxicity levels, though I still use and recommend a respirator.




"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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