Some new items I’ve acquired over the past several months for The Penn American Railroad.
Rail Car Department
SouthEastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority 40’ Box Car (RMT-96418)
I bought this car from the SEPTA Online Store. It was listed as a “Trainline” brand. When I received it the box read that it’s made by ready Made Toys. It has really nice graphics and seems to run great. I was thinking about getting another since RMT makes each road number different but the website didn’t mention this so I didn’t want another with the same car number.
Train Collectors Association Pennsylvania Railroad 36’ Woodside Reefers (MTH 20-94701, 20-94702, 20-94703, 20-94704, 20-94705, 20-94706)
Two sets of three cars by the TCA Museum Store and the TCA Fort Pitt Division depicting some fantasy beer brands from the Pennsylvania Brewing Company. I’m not usually into fantasy paint schemes but these cars are absolutely gorgeous. And a limited run. Somehow I didn't take a picture of the "Allentown Ale" car.
Train Collectors Association Pennsylvania Railroad 36’ Woodside Reefer (MTH 20-94739)
This is an add on car to the set announced after the above set to kind of join the East and West Pa. beers with one from Central Pa.
Sunoco 33,000 Gallon Tank Cars (MTH 20-96819, 20-96820)
A MTH custom run for Brady’s Train Outlet and The Train Loft. Its unique silver sheen will look cool mixed in my growing Sunoco tank unit train.
Apparel Department
Philadelphia 76ers 2023-2024 City Edition Jersey (Fanatics.com)
What does a NBA basketball jersey have to do with model trains you might ask? Besides being my home town team, the uniform draws inspiration from Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market and Philadelphia’s historic public market, home to 80-plus family-owned small businesses in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love of the former Reading Railroad. It showcases unique and stylistic features centered around Reading Terminal Market, including:
* The City of Brotherly Love wordmark across the jersey’s chest, reinterpreted as the iconic neon signage that has adorned the Market’s outer façade since the 1940s.
* The accenting colors, red and white, along with an in-line stroke within the letters and numbers also nods to the Market’s neon signage.
* The jersey’s right side features two downward-facing arrows, symbolizing the original arrows used to direct people from the train station terminal to the eclectic and bustling market below.
* The 13 Circle of Stars red logo is centered on the front of the waistband, symbolizing the original 13 colonies that formed our nation in 1776.
* The historic Liberty Bell appears on the right side with additional red and white strokes.
* The 76ers wordmark lives within a diamond enclosure that celebrates Reading Terminal Market’s logo utilized throughout the past century at the bottom of the jersey.
Perfect for shooting some hoops and running my patriotic train consists!
Library Historical Archives Department
The Wreck of the Penn Central (Joseph Dauphin and Peter Binzen)
The Men Who Loved Trains - The Story of Men Who Battled Greed to Save an Ailing Industry (Rush Loving)
A couple of soft cover books I’ve been wanting to read on relaxing days at the beach or by the pool or on a frosty night. For a while I’ve wanted to read The Wreck of the Penn Central story to learn how the PRR and NYC merger was screwed up. The Men Who Loved Trains is a well received companion book.
Railroad Novelty Department
Shark Head Salt or Pepper Shaker (Cracker Barrel Restaurant Store)
The O gauge swimmers will get a surprise when they dive into the water!! This big guy will be poking his head from the deep looking for a snack at the beach. I only bought one, so the cashier questioned me, asking if I wanted the matching one. Her confused look was priceless when I explained my motive.
More soon to come!
