Pennsy P70 coaches and variations

[DKS]

And what does SPF stand for?

Slobbering Pennsy Freak.

[Hornwrecker]

Yes, Model Power.

And what does SPF stand for?

Something that I found that is used here.  I think it means: Supreme Pennsylvania Fan, or something like that. I'm a n00b here, so I'm just learning things.  (Actually means Slobbering Pennsy Freak, I think)

I play fourth horn in a local orchestra, so I with you in "it's all about the low notes" thing.

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Dave,

I have not dug into the operation too much yet but will do that. I have been bringing myself up to speed on construction first.

There is a good article on the P70 coaches at the Keystone Crossing at 

http://pennsyrr.com/operations/94-passenger/469-the-p70-in-the-pennsy-coach-fleet

It will take a bit more research to see what cars, air-conditioned and non air-conditioned were operating out of the Pitsburgh area in the 50s. It will take me a little while to confirm but will do some more research to-night.

I will also liaise with Claus Schlund to confirm what I find.

Regards

Al

[chicken45]

Something that I found that is used here.  I think it means: Supreme Pennsylvania Fan, or something like that. I'm a n00b here, so I'm just learning things.  (Actually means Slobbering Pennsy Freak, I think)

I play fourth horn in a local orchestra, so I with you in "it's all about the low notes" thing.

Someday I'll own a contrabass trombone. And then the world will know the true meaning of suffering Ahahahahahahh that's a while new thread. 

Maybe I'm just a PF, because only drummers slobber! 

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Dave,

 Is this the area you are talking about

http://prrths-ne.org/maps/Middle_Division.pdf

It is the area I am modelling as well as it takes in the town of Huntingdon, PA with the 4 track main.

Regards

Al

[Lemosteam]

Josh, those look great.  Now rip them apart, send them to Al, have $hitloads cast and Many SPF's will pay you dearly for them (including me!).     This way I won't have to add all the bits and pieces you had to!

[chicken45]

I forgot to post my PBM70:
In these pictures, the trucks are not yet attached, so don't judge on that. The car body is just sitting on top of them. I have yet to drill holes for them.
And by the way, does anyone know of a good way to attach Kato trucks to not-Kato cars?

PBM70- shaved the diamonds and vents on the BM end. Added lips above doors.

[Dave V]

Al, that's the one!

Hey, on the subject, how long did PBM70s last?  I don't see pics in my reference books to suggest many were around after the war.  Curious as to whether any survived WWII and what they looked like at that point.

[chicken45]

Al, that's the one!

Hey, on the subject, how long did PBM70s last?  I don't see pics in my reference books to suggest many were around after the war.  Curious as to whether any survived WWII and what they looked like at that point.

I've wondered this, too. I basically modeled this car just because it was a dead ringer for the real thing and was a great starting point. I have no idea where or how they were used. But I couldn't pass it up, though.
I would imagine they would upgrade the doors to those porthole windows.
But There are pics of B70a theatrical scenery cars with both style doors. Carmen and Wagner had those old doors even in 1954 and 1963, respectively.
So, I wonder...

[jmlaboda]

"Baggage cars? Like this from last year?"



That is not a real PRR car.  Like all of the other heavyweight cars on the North Shore it is only painted for the PRR but is not actually a former PRR car.

[bbussey]

I forgot to post my PBM70:
In these pictures, the trucks are not yet attached, so don't judge on that. The car body is just sitting on top of them. I have yet to drill holes for them.
And by the way, does anyone know of a good way to attach Kato trucks to not-Kato cars?

The PBM70 actually ran on the trucks that Lima tooled.  The PB70 ran on the Kato trucks.

However, to mount Kato trucks you need a styrene post of the proper diameter (I don't remember what the diameter is) cut to the proper length, drilled through the center to take the Kato screw and cemeted to the underbody.  Kato screws are self tapping so there is no need to thread the tube - although it might be wise to insert and remove the Kato screw into the new bolster post initially before cementing to the underbody to tap the threads.

Also, on the non-vestibule end of the PB70 and PBM70, the truck bolster extended another five feet outward as there were no vestibule steps to clear.

[jmlaboda]

In the 1954 Official Register of Passenger Train Equipment the PRR listed five cars still on the roster in the 5202 - 5215 series and one car numbered 5251.  The searchable passenger car roster at the Keystone Crossing website inly lists three cars still on the roster for the same year... 5202, 5210 and 5212, which I suspect is the correct cars still in use (updating the ORPTE listings wasn't always a priority for various railroads).

[bbussey]

So the remaining question is, did they receive new doors and have the end windows removed by 1954, or did they stay in their original configuration?

Since only three remained in 1954, I'm guessing documented photo evidence will be hard to come by.

[chicken45]

The PBM70 actually ran on the trucks that Lima tooled.  The PB70 ran on the Kato trucks.

How on earth did you find this out?
I'll admit that I haven't found much in my research aside from other modeler's photos of the PMB70 with Kato trucks.

I pinged Claus about it as I saw he built one of these in the past and he used the Lima trucks. He wasn't sure about modernization or new trucks, though.

[bbussey]

How on earth did you find this out?
I'll admit that I haven't found much in my research aside from other modeler's photos of the PMB70 with Kato trucks.

I pinged Claus about it as I saw he built one of these in the past and he used the Lima trucks. He wasn't sure about modernization or new trucks, though.

I'm pretty sure the prr.railfan.net site specifies the truck versions used on the passenger car diagrams.  I've also seen it in various publications and builder's photos.  Those Lima trucks also were used under PRR heavy-duty flatcars of the time period.

The PBM70 class as a whole didn't last as long as the other heavyweight classes.  The more pertinent information is whether any of the cars received the body modifications.  I want to run one myself for use in a New Haven consist, but I want to know if they retained their original door and end configuration in 1956.  Dave V would prefer the PB70, but I want the rare car.  My gut says no, but there doesn't appear to be any photographic information readily available to confirm that.  Any such photos also would verify which trucks were utilized in the latter years.