3rd rail E7's?

At this point only Scott would know why the pilot wasn't corrected.  Despite the issues I'm pleased with my A-B-A set and look forward to the FP7. 

Ed Rappe

Simon,

Perhaps the process did not break down at all. Maybe the contract Scott signed for the E units called for a total of X quantity with a certain number of them in the first run and the remainder in the second run.

Minor, no cost to the builder changes could be accomplished in the second run, but  tooling for a new pilot would have incurred cost that neither party may have been willing to assume.

I believe we may very well see a new pilot on the FP-7 units since this project obviously requires new tooling.

have not really touched mine yet.  other than oiling up.  youtube video of them out there at my youtube channel.  happy holidays guys!

To keep things simple in communicating with the builder we recommended that Scott model his PRR E7 pilots on the nice pilots offered by P&D (two styles - with and without coupler doors).

I looked on the P&D website and could find only the pilot door. What am I missing?

If 3rd Rail does the proper PRR Passenger pilot on the FP7, perhaps Scott will make a bunch of extras that we can buy and retrofit.

Rex

You'll find the pilot on the second page of P&D O scale parts.  The pasenger pilot is part PDP5140.  The pilot door/coupler cover is PDP5141.  These parts are made in plastic.  Look down a few lines and you'll see the brass pilots.  It will take a fair amount of effort to adapt the P&D pilot to the Sunset frame - that is why for now I'm waiting to see if Scott will make extra FP7 pilots for his PRR E7 customers.  If he doesn't I'll mount the P&D pilot.

Ed Rappe

Ed-

Guess I'll write Scott and beg for extra pilots.

If'n he can't do it (his builders are an independent lot) I'll follow your step-by-step adapation

OK. I just wrote Scott.

And, found the second page of detail parts (must be getting slow here).

How can you tell which pilots are which, there being no photos? I see that part PDP 5737 is a brass F unit passenger pilot, which, if correct, appears a more robust choice for use on the front end of the A-units

Rex,

IF (big little word) you are looking for pilots for PRR (I don't recall you ever saying what road name engine you got), you want a "Passenger" pilot as opposed to a "Freight" style. The Passenger pilots went down in a straight line (albeit at a forward angle)  from the anti-climber. Freight pilots had a small backward curving section at the top and then angled down in a straight line. I'm not sure if the designation of the pilot came from EMD or not, but it had little to do with the ultimate use of the engine. Almost all PRR F units had the so called "Passenger" style pilots, and they seldom ever hauled anything but freight!

I have had both plastic and brass P&D pilots and the plastic are much nicer (opinion).

The brass pilot was NOT symmetrical (meaning if you split the thing in half, the two parts should be a mirror image). The contour of the thing varied from one side to the other.

I suppose all this cold be called "picky", but it all depends on how accurate you like your stuff. I know Ed is a stickler for correct detail! (That's a compliment Ed!)

Happy modeling,

Simon

Simon-

IF (big little word) you are looking for pilots for PRR (I don't recall you ever saying what road name engine you got), you want a "Passenger" pilot as opposed to a "Freight" style. The Passenger pilots went down in a straight line (albeit at a forward angle)  from the anti-climber. Freight pilots had a small backward curving section at the top and then angled down in a straight line. I'm not sure if the designation of the pilot came from EMD or not, but it had little to do with the ultimate use of the engine. Almost all PRR F units had the so called "Passenger" style pilots, and they seldom ever hauled anything but freight!

Yep-my E-7's are PRR DGLE. Someone posted a photo of F-3's with this pilot and that's what Ed and I, and maybe others, want.
Since these pilots were used for Freight F-units, guess I ought to think about retro-fitting my Lionel F-7's. Some day...

I ain't  a diseasel guy, so am feeling my way along here.

I have had both plastic and brass P&D pilots and the plastic are much nicer (opinion).
The brass pilot was NOT symmetrical (meaning if you split the thing in half, the two parts should be a mirror image). The contour of the thing varied from one side to the other.

I'd greatly appreciate a photo of the P&D plastic pilot; sounds like the brass version is a no-go. I still wonder how robust the plastic pilot is, as in, accidents happen.
Thought-if the Mashburns are still casting perhaps they could do a lost-plastic brass pilot for us..

I suppose all this could be called "picky", but it all depends on how accurate you like your stuff. I know Ed is a stickler for correct detail! (That's a compliment Ed!)

If I didn't care I'd just buy the Williams units and be done with it; been holding off ever since the 3rd Rail models were announced.
I emailed Scott on this matter. He's disappointed that we're disappointed and my response was that the PRR E-7's are so close to perfect that the pilot imperfection stands out. He said he'd look into making FP-7 PRR pilots available. He also said he's too busy to keep up with the Forum (he must be abroad since his responses came at insane hours of the morning, Pacific time). So, a few respectful emails should provide encouragement on this matter.

Rex,

I have NO idea where that pilot is, but I'm fairly sure it was ABS like the P&D F unit bodies. Which should be fairly substantial. I looked on the P&D site and I am fairly sure the PN's are 5140 (pilot) and 5141 (door). You might want to call P&D and talk to Pat Mucci as he is generally VERY helpful.

Not sure of the accuracy/veracity of it, but I saw on the web recently that K&D casting was for sale.

If Scott said pilots might be made available, that might be your best bet!

Simon

Rex, Just curious.....what material are the pilots of the 3rd Rail E7's made from?

I am guessing ABS plastic.????

Simon

The pilots are cast.  Since all the other detail add-on parts are cast in brass, I suspect the pilots are too.  Haven't scratched the paint off one of mine to be sure.

Thanks Jonathan,

That being the case, I would say definitely wait to see if Scot can provide replacements. They should be much nicer.

Simon

a happy holidays to you all.  if you're lucky enough to be off work... work on the layout or trains in some fashion! 

merry christmas.