Alco PAs gleaming in the morning sun

Yes PA-1's in the sun.

Ron

New Haven PA1 0764 by MTH and 0771 by Sunset/3rd Rail...

MELGAR

Beautiful engines Melgar!

My inspiration!

Ron

Nice Ron! Unfortunately I haven't found any comprable pictures of an NYC.

Nothing "Gleams" like a a Santa Fe!

Nice Ron! Unfortunately I haven't found any comprable pictures of an NYC.

I cannot resist this one.  I am a steam type, but consider the PA an "honorary steam locomotive."  I do have an Overland ABA in my set, but am most happy with my sand cast and lost-plastic PAs.  So here they come - some of them!  The first is a CLW/Adams sand cast model with two giant pittmans driving all six axles.  The second is an MTH, converted with much heat and plaster into a silicon bronze model.  I really like them both much more than the wildly more accurate Overland, or indeed any plastic model no matter how accurate (and some, like the new Lionel, are about as accurate as they can get, except for wheels and couplers).  Yes, I have many more of both types.  That ATSF body is nickel silver, also done by the lost-plastic method.

SantaFeJim posted:

Nothing "Gleams" like a a Santa Fe!

 

I concur. 

S.P. Daylight gleaming in the morning sun at NJ Hirailers.

It says something about form when a locomotive looks great no matter which livery it's wearing.....

Don't forget the Bumblebee - your best PA photograph!

I love the PA locomotive!  Especially love the D&H livery! 

WITZ 41 posted:

It says something about form when a locomotive looks great no matter which livery it's wearing.....

What happened to the front Coupler?

Alco PAs on the G&O:

Alcos look good at twilight too....

And dusk...

SantaFeJim posted:

Nothing "Gleams" like a a Santa Fe!

 

Is this a photo of the roll out of the first PAs at the AlCO plant in Schenectady, NY, in 1938?  It sure was a beautiful loco and paint scheme.

Great photo'...where did you find it'...

Looking way back to my early childhood visits to the "Charles Street Round House" in Providence with my grandfather in the mid to late 1950's, I've always had a likeness and appreciation for ALCO's PA series.  I still recall being allowed to climb up to the cab of a NHRR ALCO that was on a side track....most likely there for some repair.  As a kid, it seemed like I was climbing up a 10 story building to grab the hand of the engineer, who helped me into the cab.  The memory of the simplicity of the control system reminds me of how uncomplicated "things" once were.  My grandfather had a 50 year pin from the NHRR.

When I got back into the hobby in 2007 , I purchased an MTH Santa Fe ABA and a Pennsy ABA in tuscan to haul a six car set of matching K-line passenger cars that I scored when K-line was on the ropes.  I still may pick a NHRR PA at some point just for the nostalgia....great memories of seeing the PA's pulling into Union Station in Providence.  From the historical standpoint, Rhode Island Locomotive Works in Providence became part of ALCO in a merger with several other similar companies into ALCO.  I believe most of the PA's were manufactured in Schenectady, NY. 

Fredstrains posted...

What happened to the front Coupler?

 

I replaced the 3 rail pilot with the included 2rail pilot. I'm finishing my E7 modifications before I get to the PA.  Once I have the time I will fabricate a prototypical UP front Pilot door assembly.  Then I will repaint the pilot, tanks, and trucks to the gray appropriate for the period of 1946-1954.  It will match the GGD yellow harrimans which already have the gray trucks correct for the same period.

I commend Scott and 3rd rail for making such a thoughtful and easy set up to do it. The lobster claw front coupler unplugs easily and two screws to remove it. Took 60 seconds. Brilliant. 

Switching both dual lights to a single light for each will take a little more skill and patience........

Those look real.  Only giveaway is the track!

Well I found it, my PA-1 project engine.  I am a fan of the NYC after the PRR, B&O, Erie but for sure the "Little Giant" the NYC System sub the P&LE.

This is from a MTH PS PA-1 set of AA-units.  The significance  is the one cab number 4204.  This is in the P&LE's sequence of 4204-4207 passenger PA-1's.

Intend to upgrade to PS-2.  I found a decal set with "P&LE" that can add to the body sides.  Need to find the word "SYSTEM" that I can add after "CENTRAL."

Ron

Ron...would love to see the finished product.

I just unpacked the new Lionel Santa Fe Alcos, #54 A Units and Super Bass B Unit. Both A units are numbered #54 (Box says 54A and 54L.) Very nice "polished" SS finish as advertised. It is not as shiny as the mirror finish as on the recent Atlas F7s . I have included photos of the 2010 Lionel Legacy Alco PA units (#52A unit and B unit) for comparison. They are basically a matte gray paint finish, quite dull.

The SS finish on these looks really nice!

                               1954 vintage American Flyer "Comet" Alco PA.

More  ATSF PAs.

beautiful locomotives!

Thank you Harold. Here is a close up of the alco PA truck with  scale wheels, brake lines and ATS shoe.

Did you mean this one Bob? 

The Denver & Rio Grande Western’s Prospector is running fast ahead of the California Zephyr as it blasts out of East Portal late on a July day in 1954.

Models used are Key Model Imports PA, Joe Fischer heavyweight baggage, Pecos River Brass Prospector cars. Shot on location at East Portal, Colorado July 2018. Forced perspective carefully placing modules in line with Moffat Tunnel portal. Using a photo editing program blending the shadows and adding the honorary steam locomotive exhaust. 

John Johnson and I on location at Moffat Tunnel. We built this module to represent the East Portal area as it was in the 1950’s. Forced perspective is a neat tool for those who can pull it off right. Fun times with friends in the hobby.  

This fine late gentleman sure did, Michael Paul Smith and his series “ Eljin Park “ was a huge inspiration for me to take up this hobby in model railroad. (Not my photo) I studied film making in art school and was offered work at ILM in 2006 as a model maker and character design. I stayed in Colorado for family reasons; I likely would have never perused the model railroad hobby if not for this choice. It’s fun I enjoy it. 

I admit - I was so taken by your photo that I captured it.  Can I post it for you?

Erik C Lindgren posted:

Models used are Key Model Imports PA, Joe Fischer heavyweight baggage, Pecos River Brass Prospector cars. Shot on location at East Portal, Colorado July 2018. Forced perspective carefully placing modules in line with Moffat Tunnel portal. Using a photo editing program blending the shadows and adding the honorary steam locomotive exhaust.

This is a beautiful photograph but, in my opinion, it is more representative of the art of photography and computer technology rather than of model railroading.

MELGAR

Plenty of room for all types of art.  I see no reason for segregating.  I am the exact opposite of Erik - I model like a blacksmith, and have no scenery.  I greatly admire the perfectionists! Erik is a true artist and a model railroader.

I tend to agree with Melgar. I can take my trains outside and put photo backgrounds behind them, but I prefer to photograph them with what I have built with my hands. However, I'm sure if Eric were to do the photography on my layout it would be spectacular.

Ron

Hers are the finished ATSF Alcos live on the layout. Super chief KC. to Chicago.