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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jan 23, 2021 20:46:36 GMT
I picked up a couple used MTH locomotives over the last month. Both are Penn Central electric locomotives. First is the GE E44. This is the most modern of the electric fleet. These were built for the PRR in the early 1960’s for freight service on the electrified mainlines on the east coast. The were transferred to the Penn Central and finally to Conrail. The were used until CR abandoned it’s catenary system in the early 80’s Some made it to NJT, but they never ran, being stored until they were scrapped a few years later. This is a PS3 version .... Next, is the GE E33. These locomotives have quite a time line, being owned by many railroads over their lifespan. The E33s were built for the Virginian Railway in 1955 as “EL-Cs” then transferred to the N&W after the merger of the two lines. They were used briefly until they were sold to the New Haven and reclassified at EF-4s. They lived on to see the NH taken over by the Penn Central. Finally, they made to Conrail blue before being scrapped after five years. This engine is a MTH PS2 3v equipped model. It might be a challenge to collect one from each of the five users. My next one will likely be a NH version... I have included my kitbashed Penn Central E40. It is a K-Line engine with a shaky Lionel/K-Line operating system with TMCC. It is a candidate for an upgrade when I learn how to do that kind of work. These engines were originally built as NH passenger engines. PC converted them to freight only and used them for a time... My Penn Central fleet includes a GG1 from Williams. These famous engines were used both in passenger and freight service. This is an older/new acquisition that I hope to install TMCC in someday. Penn Central was a symbol of the decline of industry in the Northeast but it was an interesting period of time that marked the beginning of the end of the railroad industry as it was for over 100 years. The soon-coming technology and corporate climates would make the railroad business a modern and streamlined affair... Tom
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Post by ptc on Jan 23, 2021 21:45:12 GMT
Very nice Penn Central addictions to your inventor, Tom.
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Post by laz57 on Jan 23, 2021 21:50:02 GMT
Thanks TOM for the history of the PC. I Like what you have.
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Post by Adam on Jan 23, 2021 21:53:16 GMT
Nice looking set of Penn engines! I'm warming up to some of these electrics. They have a unique charm to them.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2021 23:05:24 GMT
N and W didn’t seem to care too much for the Virginian electrics.
Thanks for the info.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jan 24, 2021 1:44:18 GMT
N and W didn’t seem to care too much for the Virginian electrics. Thanks for the info. The N&W abandoned their own electric system in 1950, five years later, the VGN bought the EL-Cs. With the takeover of the VGN, the conversion to diesel was a sure thing.... Tom
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Post by fabforrest on Jan 24, 2021 2:34:58 GMT
Very interesting. You could have done this as an article for Tractive Effort.
Thanks.
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Post by trainsintheattic on Jan 24, 2021 2:35:10 GMT
Nice fleet, Tom. Anything electric corridor gets my interest. Hopefully the upgrade is just replacement of the DCDR with a Cruise M. Easiest procedure of all.
Bruce
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 24, 2021 4:05:38 GMT
Very nice Penn Central collection, Tom. And thanks for the info on each one. It’s interesting how locomotives move around so much.
I also have these motors, including the E44 in PRR and Conrail. They are good runners.
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Post by firewood on Jan 24, 2021 5:12:43 GMT
A nice collection of electrics! I have a leaning towards the overhead wire myself. FW
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Post by Country Joe on Jan 24, 2021 16:13:26 GMT
Tom, that is a nice collection of PC electrics. The PC is the red headed step child of model railroading. There are very few PC modelers out there.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jan 24, 2021 20:22:00 GMT
Thanks guys.
I am thinking of building a catenary system. There is a method that uses readily available Marklin HO catenary wires. I just need to design and build poles to hang them from...
Tom
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Post by Traindiesel! on Jan 24, 2021 21:45:12 GMT
I had planned on using the MTH catenary system for my layout. Never got to the point of buying and installing. Now it looks like that option is going away.
But with so much to do on the layout before I’d get to that point, maybe another system will be made by then.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Jan 24, 2021 23:03:29 GMT
I had an opportunity to buy a big collection of MTH catenary products. It would have been a $2500-$3000 investment. I let it pass. I just couldn’t afford that much at once.
I have seen the system, homemade with Marklin parts. It looks decent.
Tom
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Post by fabforrest on Jan 25, 2021 0:24:28 GMT
You guys contemplating catenary system are bravely ambitious.
You have my respect.
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