New MTL PRR Diner

[pjm20]

To clarify the exact PRR Diner, this is a D78bR (R for airconditioning):


I do not have my Pennsy books available now, but there were 30 odd some of these from their inception 1932-1933? to the 1950s (I think). I look forward to purchasing many of what looks like excellent prototypical models. Personally I am going to rid these of their nasty airconditioning equipment to bring them back to D78b. 

EDIT: From what I can tell (no books to confirm) these are also close to the D78cR. Also, since the D78 class specs are the same, who wants to fire up their etcher and makes some sides?

The main difference between the D78 classes are the window arrangements.

[Bob Bufkin]

Not really sure of the differences in the classes.  Think some have a different interior arrangement.  Lot of these were modernized with round roof and modern 4 wheel trucks. 

[OldEastRR]

Is this the class diner used on the 1952 Admiral? The Stegmaier book only says a heavyweight diner was used on that train, but no class listing.

[pjm20]

I am not sure without my book, but since there were only 30 odd of these compared out of the PRR's entire heavyweight fleet at its max at around 150 before WWII, then with subsequent replacement by lightweight diners, it is possible but not likely. I would have to look at my book to see how many survived compared to other class that were larger. The D78bR was a smaller class with (I think) the D70 being the largest class.

EDIT: Poked around Jerry's site and found this (this is for 1954 since this is Jerry's modeling year):

18 D78b (I suspect by 1954 the PRR dropped the R since everything was air conditioned)

123 Total Heavyweight Diners

This means that the D78b fleet was 14.6% of the total fleet, but the only class larger than it is D70a with 30 and the D78d also has 18. So I guess it is possible and unlikely that they kept the same heavyweight diner on The Admiral, so I would say that a D78b made it on every so often.