I'm looking to venture into uncharted territory. I'm looking for a recommendation for a good reliable PRR Steam loco. I might into passenger operations, lookingl mainly a freight/coal operation for now
You've got two off-the-shelf choices that are reasonably reliable. There are some that have had issues with each but as I own a pair of each I can vouch for my experience with them which has been good:
The Broadway Limited PRR M1a/b 4-8-2:
http://www.blwnscale.com/pcm-prr-m1.htmThe Bachmann PRR K4s 4-6-2:
http://www.blwnscale.com/bachmann-4-6-2-K4.htmBoth models are sound and DCC equipped and will also run on DC.
Both will work in passenger service but the K4 is by far the most often associated with PRR passenger trains.. The PRR had 425 of these. The M1s were designed for dual service but in later years were primarily freight engines. The PRR had 301 of these.
Here is a video of both running on my layout:
Here's just the M1: