ID help needed with PRR Centipede picture + question

[csatahajos]

Dear Gentlemen!

Could you please help ID the 3rd engine (if it is an engine and not a car...) trailing the pair of Centipedes? I read somewhere here that Centipedes were not MU capable so I wonder what is going on here.

Also on a separate note does anyone know if the proposed N&W Y7 articulated steam loco was ever made it into model form, even scratch built?

 

Thanks,

 

Akos

 

[Firelock76]

That looks to me like a B unit diesel, but the picture's so grainy on max enlargement it's hard to tell.

Don't know if this applies to the Centipedes, but I've read that as-built Baldwins couldn't MU with diesels of other manufacture, but a retro-fit kit to make it possible was offered.

I don't believe a N&W Y7 ever made it past the drawing board stage.

[ndbprr]

The engines are coming west off of rockville bridge at Harrisburg. I agree it Is a b unit. If they were going to Enola engine terminal they would be turning right instead of left. I suspect it is a light engine move to Altoona. The b unit probably failed running into Harrisburg where the GG1s took over. Whatever is wrong with it apparently Altoona was better equipped to fix it. The centipedes are still in the five stripe passenger scheme before being downrated for freight helper service which makes this picture fairly early and the b unit most likely an E7 or PB. I would bet on it being a PB.

[NorthWest]

To me it looks a bit like a DR-6-4-2000.

[csatahajos]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. So you say this is shunting back a B unit only which is not in powered up mode.

 

To me honestly it appears the other end of the last loco has a cab as on the original picture size (if you click the picture then the "+" zoom button in the upper right oyu get it).

 

Back to the Y7, I've just ordered the N&W: Giant of Steam book by Jeffries. Anything else you would recommend on the Y7 topic book wise?

Thanks,

Akos

 

[DS4-4-1000]

NorthWest

To me it looks a bit like a DR-6-4-2000.

 

Yes it sure looks like a Passenger Shark B.  So the controls would be compatible, the question is did the Centipedes have MU through the front?  Otherwise the photo is showing a dead in tow locomotive headed in the direction of Altoona.

[ACY Tom]

I agree it's a DR-6-4-2000 passenger shark B unit. Theoretically, the MU system of the two units should have been compatible, but the question of nose MU on a Centipede also occurred to me. I don't have the answer to that one. If there was no nose MU, then the B unit must have been dead in tow.

As for the proposed N&W Y-7, I understand that the late Tom Dressler, N&W engineer and prolific N&W modeler, built one in HO using a PFM D&RGW L-132 as a starting point. I don't know whether that project was ever completed, or what happened to that model after his death. 

Tom

[Firelock76]

"Norfolk and Western, Giant of Steam" is THE BOOK on N&W steam, hard to beat that one.

[Wizlish]

I don't think that thing is long enough to be a passenger Shark.  I'm thinking either DR-4-4-15 or RF16B.  One of you Photoshop mavens might blow the thing up and count the radiator segments or panels, or see enough truck detail.

 

[BOB WITHORN]

I agree, looks like an RF16B.

[Leo_Ames]

Pennsy's Centipedes lacked nose MU gear and were only able to MU with their drawbar connected sister unit. This 3rd locomotive is being towed.

[ACY Tom]

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