PRR Locomotives

[PRRK4s]

Thanks for the info, Bob. I knew I had asked before but dont know where and what the opinions were. My assumption was this is a late era Alexander. I know nothing about his stuff but I knew this was better than most options of that time. I wouldn't know how to id the scale craft parts you mentioned. So most likely its a custom build using parts available from other sources, with a scratchbuilt tender with wooden floor, and possibly a scratchbuilt boiler. Water over the bridge now since I dont own it but it always bugged me on the heritage of this K4s.

[PRRK4s]

Most of the rest of my roster, some pics posted in prior posts. Although the paint and lettering had seen better days, and have no desire to restore it, the mid 1930 Fred Icken E6s is a prominent piece in the collection. The G5s and L1 locomotives were built by little known custom builder Herman Kloppenburg. He was known to have built 2 G5s models. One in 1930s and another I believe in the late 1970s. The 1970s model is in another collection, this is his 1930s build. Features a coasting drive chassis. I was lucky to stumble on the old builders photo too. Little changed in the life of that model. The L1s appears to have been built at the same mid 1930s time frame as well. Features the same build characteristics. Lastly a Lionel semi scale B6 that was two railed many many years ago. My dad acquired that for $10 plus the book Apex of the Atlantics from Tronzo sometime in the early-mid 60s.

[bob turner]

I am really enjoying this. I do hope you have a few more.

I too have a 2-railed Lionel B6. I bought it from a really nice guy in Mexicali in the 1970s, and 2-railed it twice - the second time successfully! He owned a tortilla factory - gave us a tour, and sent us home with a package of the best tortillas I have ever had. Photo later.

[PRRK4s]

Now I'm hungry for Mexican food! These locos, not quite PRR, but eh, close enough. I slightly remember an hour and a half road trip one day back in the late 60's. I was probably 7 or 8 years old. My dad, mom and I went to Latrobe, Pa. to visit an old O scaler. I recall his name as Mr. Good. My dad must have seen his name/ad in MR or RMC. Idk any other tie in. My dad bought a few things. I remember the mine scene and lots of hopper cars and loose coal scattered everywhere. So my dad bought some hopper cars. But he also ended up buying these. Original Thomas Bedell Boxcabs. Prior to Walthers carrying them. The loco numbers are there for a reason. 140 and 141. One was completed in Jan 1940, the other in Jan 1941. Just something I remember being told to me. These things are heavy bronze. Single motor with chain drive to a second axle. We used to run them on the Christmas tree layout. Over the years the old coil rectifiers weakened and I soldered in their place ceramic bridge rectifiers. Did wonders! They haven't been run in nearly 30 years. Last time I think they got a real workout was on Tronzo's layout.

[bob turner]

Here is Senor Contreras' Lionel - I of course took the liberty to make it a lighter green. Brunswick is dark black, except around here, where it is Floquil's guess.

On DC, the bell rings continuously!

[bob turner]

Here is the Williams version - I have three. This one came 3-rail, and lacks a few pipes. One of the others will get the longer cab that you see on the Lionel above.

[PRRK4s]

Two other locos round out my roster, a PSC K4s and an H6sb from Sunset. No pics of those. But here are some others that passed through. Again, I wish I did acquire a few of them. But, you can't buy everything. The first two are Mi-Loco K5's. Both from the same collection! Decent shape, one had a slight aluminum disease on the tender. The next two are Saginaw H10s. Both detailed with pilots, not footboards. Gives them both the early look. The next is another Lionel B6. Again, didnt need it since I already had my dad's. Lastly, the one I really should have acquired. But there was a reason I didnt. A Blum M1a. Again decent shape. Didnt take much to get it running. Reason I didnt keep it is it lacked its tender. After it was sold, about 3 weeks later its tender surfaced in the collection. Go figure. After what, 50-60 years, they're separated forever. So,....those are some of the should haves.

[rogruth]

Really nice stuff!

[bob turner]

Really enjoying your photos. I have occasionally thought about snagging a Blum M1, but this one will have to do for now. USH, and before I learned how to do good decal work.

[bob turner]

There were two different boiler contours on the M1 series. I much prefer the earlier, more graceful version, and to that end I may have to make my own. Waiting for four axle Commonwealth Lobaugh trucks to drop into my lap - I am passing them up regularly at $35/set on eBay, so you can see I am not in a hurry. I have the drivers and trailing truck, and can pretty much make everything else. What fun!

[R.K. Maroon]

I don't have any Pennsy steam but the title of this thread is not restrictive in that way. I am not a dedicated fan of the Pennsylvania Railroad, but it is hard to live in model railroading and not have some Pennsy equipment land in your shop. By chance, I had four PRR locomotives -- one single and three sets -- that had either recently arrived or recently been serviced and needed test runs. DFW club presidente Brady McGuire not only is a Pennsylvania modeler but also has a nice layout to boot. He agreed to host the test session, documented in the following video. There is also a set of New Haven diesels, recently arrived from Sarge, acquired in a trade.

https://youtu.be/zmfU17oxRiI

[bob turner]

As a young person, I regarded the T1 as a very ugly thing indeed. Changed my mind about 30 years ago when Williams brought these things in for what, at that time, was a really low price. Taught my brother how to make driver tires, and he converted maybe ten of these to 2-rail. The thing runs like the wind with that Chinese windshield motor - one of my favorites for whipping around my test loop with a string of Tuscan sort-of P70 cars.

[BruceB]

Bob,and others, I am enjoying these posts as I am still a relative newby to O scale. I would like to find one of those Lionel B6 s. The early Mikados are interesting also. I don't comment much because I don't have any knowledgable info to share. Please you all keep up the good work!

[bob turner]

Comments motivate me. Doesn't make any difference what is said. Google eBay 6-18000 - these little switchers are now the bargains of O Scale. $200 is a very fair price; Trainz has had one for roughly that price for about two months. I am waiting for one at $100 with a burned out motor. You can also find them for $600, which is closer to their new price. And as far as I can tell, no zinc pest problems in these or the 1990 Hudson.

Wish they would re-run the 700-series cars in metal.

[rogruth]

Bob,
Did you ever get to see a real full sized T1 whipping those tuscan cars around?
I was in high school when the last ones were running and have never forgotten them.
They snaked around the curves in the hills of eastern Ohio and seemed to fly in the flatlands of western Ohio.
The only diesels that looked as good to me were the Baldwin sharks.
Too bad no Ts were saved just to look at.