Front End Friday

Have a great weekend all! MTH PS-1 K-4, PW Lionel 2037

Happy FeF!  Love the photos everyone. Here are some front ends from subway. This is an R32 N train making its way into the Woodhaven Station in Queens -

Well F.E.F. fans we seem to be off to a great start.  @RSJB18- great shot of the B&M RS3 what a neat livery as well. @leapinlarry- super photos of your layout for sure, I really loved the B&O GP and the "Safety First" switcher.  Great shots!! @MELGAR- really neat photo of that tank switcher coming through that narrow spot.

Well for me today, I am going to move past all the glories of old and show the latest engine on my layout.  An Amtrak F59 PH in surf-liner livery.  I actually rode on this train once from LA to San Diego right along the beach, quite a beautiful ride.  This model is by Williams by Bachmann.  From a model perspective, this guy is large and heavy and powerful, complete with diesel sound.  You can see how large it is from the O-scale figure at trackside.  IRL - EMD started the streamlining in 1994 and this is a 3000 HP locomotive.

Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Please stay safe in this awful heat, we hit 104 yesterday afternoon.

Best Wishes

Don

WOW!!! Time for another FEF…have a great day…🚂😉

Good morning, FEFers,

I am getting my 3rd Rail F3 ABA set out to run with my express cars.  Hope to have a video of it later today.  Here are some photos of it from a while back.

As I have mentioned before, what makes 3rd Rail's model of Pennsy's F3 series the best is the correct small streamlined four-digit number boards.   All of Pennsy's F3s initially had this, even the first few F7s.  Outside of high-end brass, no other manufacturer did this for the Pennsy.  3rd Rail modeled the "Phase 2 Late" version of the F3.

Atlas also had this detail for their F2/F3 Phase 1 model, but did not make any Pennsy models with it.  Probably because the Pennsy did not have any F3 Phase 1 units.  Here is Atlas' SR F2/F3 Phase 1 model. 

@CAPPilot posted:

As I have mentioned before, what makes 3rd Rail's model of Pennsy's F3 series the best is the correct small streamlined four-digit number boards.   All of Pennsy's F3s initially had this, even the first few F7s.  Outside of high-end brass, no other manufacturer did this for the Pennsy.  3rd Rail modeled the "Phase 2 Late" version of the F3.

Well, I just learned something new about the PRR-- I've seen quite a few Pennsy diesels but never noticed the streamlined numberboards. Cool detail!

This Friday, I'm running some 1940s front ends on the layout, starting with the handsome streamlining of my Lionel Lionmaster T1 Duplex.

The New Haven is reasserting their right-of-way with my BIGGEST diesel, the mighty DL109.

Here's the obligatory video of all the action!0

@Don McErlean posted:

Well F.E.F. fans we seem to be off to a great start.  @RSJB18- great shot of the B&M RS3 what a neat livery as well. @leapinlarry- super photos of your layout for sure, I really loved the B&O GP and the "Safety First" switcher.  Great shots!! @MELGAR- really neat photo of that tank switcher coming through that narrow spot.

Well for me today, I am going to move past all the glories of old and show the latest engine on my layout.  An Amtrak F59 PH in surf-liner livery.  I actually rode on this train once from LA to San Diego right along the beach, quite a beautiful ride.  This model is by Williams by Bachmann.  From a model perspective, this guy is large and heavy and powerful, complete with diesel sound.  You can see how large it is from the O-scale figure at trackside.  IRL - EMD started the streamlining in 1994 and this is a 3000 HP locomotive.

Here's hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend.  Please stay safe in this awful heat, we hit 104 yesterday afternoon.

Best Wishes

Don

I like your Surfliner F59PH, Don. I too, have ridden this train several times from San Diego up to Los Angeles and back. The last time, it was pulled by the new Siemens Charger locomotive.

My entry for today’s FEF is a Union Pacific F7AB pulling the Yellowstone Special passenger train, alongside a Santa Fe GP30 pulling a freight, circa 1960s. Both are Lionel Legacy.

Lots of great FeF photos today! I always look forward to this thread. Here's my entry for FeF, early morning at the edge of town.

Happy Friday

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Lots of great FeF photos today! I always look forward to this thread. Here's my entry for FeF, early morning at the edge of town.

Happy Friday

Nice shot of your espy “bloody nose” switcher, Scott. 👍

@Yellowstone Special posted:

I like your Surfliner F59PH, Don. I too, have ridden this train several times from San Diego up to Los Angeles and back. The last time, it was pulled by the new Siemens Charger locomotive.

My entry for today’s FEF is a Union Pacific F7AB pulling the Yellowstone Special passenger train, alongside a Santa Fe GP30 pulling a freight, circa 1960s. Both are Lionel Legacy.

Vern, nice shot of the Surfliner in the San Diego station with the towers behind it. It's been a long time since I've been to San Diego, you've inspired me to plan a trip.

Two very cool locomotives side by side for your FeF!

Happy Friday!

@WesternPacific2217 posted:

Vern, nice shot of the Surfliner in the San Diego station with the towers behind it. It's been a long time since I've been to San Diego, you've inspired me to plan a trip.

Two very cool locomotives side by side for your FeF!

Happy Friday!

Thank you, Scott. I never get tired of riding on the Surfliner. Your future trip to San Diego sounds like a great idea.

Take the early morning northbound around 8:00 am and you have your choice of seating. Paying a few extra bucks for the business class car is worth it. Get a left side window seat going up and a right side window seat coming back for excellent ocean and beach views. But you probably already knew that. 😉

Oh, and while you’re there, a visit to Balboa Park and the San Diego Model Train Museum is definitely worth it as well. But, you probably already knew that, too. 👍

@Yellowstone Special- Vern thank you for your comment and for your great picture of the "real thing".  I forgot to foot stomp Vern's suggestion of Balboa Part and the San Diego Model Train Museum, both great sights to visit.

Best Wishes

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@Yellowstone Special- Vern thank you for your comment and for your great picture of the "real thing".  I forgot to foot stomp Vern's suggestion of Balboa Part and the San Diego Model Train Museum, both great sights to visit.

Best Wishes

Don

You’re welcome, Don. That photo of the real thing was taken just before I got on it for the 8:00 am departure north, back in Sept., 2018. A couple of months later, they were replaced with the Siemens Chargers.

The next day on that trip to San Diego, while wifie was attending meetings at the convention center just before she retired, I took the San Diego Trolley from our hotel, then a transit bus to the east entrance of Balboa Park. It was a fun way to spend the day.

So, spending a day up to L.A. and back on the Surfliner, then a day at Balboa Park and the model train museum, made for a perfect 2-day trip down to San Diego. We’ve been back down there a couple of times since her retirement and San Diego never disappoints. 😊

FEF…”the J”…

Donald

Here's a "fantasy" front end from Lionel:

Pictured is the 1997 first reissue of the original PW PRR Tie-Jector Lionel offered from 1957-1960. The tie ejection mechanism is activated and deactivated by trackside "trippers" that are attached at the beginning and end of the track segment where ties are to be "delivered." In the PW original, the single PullMor motor had to operate both the drive and tie ejector mechanisms, so it had a pretty serious problem with overheating, often causing the un-ventilated shell to melt. Lionel attempted to address this problem with a ventilation slot behind the "motorman" in the later years they made the PW unit. Apparently, not many of these "ventilated" PW units were produced so it is rather rare today.

The 1997 example pictured features separate Mabuchi can motors for the drive and ejector mechanisms, so there are no overheating problems. Like the PW original, it only travels in the forward direction, requires trackside "trippers" and has a fixed rear coupler for pulling one MOW support car. Unlike the original, it was produced in several roadnames over subsequent years.

A second reissue, a "Command Control" version, was offered beginning in 2014. It features a headlight, forward-reverse and tie ejection control in conventional and TMCC modes (instead of "trippers"), and an electrocoupler for the one MOW car. The mechanicals are essentially the same as the 1997 first reissue version. Like the first reissue, it has been produced in several roadnames over subsequent years.

Here’s a Front End Friday photo of our SP GP9 (even though it’s just after midnight now).

@Yellowstone Special - Vern thanks for relating the story of your visit to San Diego, it parallels mine and my wife's very closely and your right its great fun.  Next time you go, don't forget the USS Midway museum for a look at how an aircraft carrier operates anId an exhibit of some neat Naval aircraft.

@Bill Swatos- Man thank you!  That was great information on one of Lionel's classic motorized units.  I never realized the problem with the original units and why the later ones had the "ventilation" hole.  This forum is really great as it lets folks with knowledge, like yourself, share that knowledge with the rest of us...Thanks Bill.

@3rail- Don that is a beautiful orange engine.  However, and I am embarrassed to admit this, I don't know the significance of "the J" is that a railroad or a private entity?  Thanks.

@WP- Hey after midnight or whatever, great photo of your GP9.

Best Wishes to everyone

Don

@Don McErlean posted:

@Yellowstone Special - Vern thanks for relating the story of your visit to San Diego, it parallels mine and my wife's very closely and your right its great fun.  Next time you go, don't forget the USS Midway museum for a look at how an aircraft carrier operates anId an exhibit of some neat Naval aircraft.

Don

Thanks again, Don. Back in 2017, we got to spend an evening on the Midway, since wife's company had a catered dinner party on its deck. It was awesome. Reminded me of my Navy days way back in the mid-1970s.

@Don McErlean posted:

@3rail- Don that is a beautiful orange engine.  However, and I am embarrassed to admit this, I don't know the significance of "the J" is that a railroad or a private entity?  Thanks.

Hey Don.

Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (reporting mark EJE). The "J" was a nickname for the Railroad.

Donald

@3rail - Don thanks for the information.  Best Wishes Don

MTH Reading Premier

@Don McErlean posted:

@WP- Hey after midnight or whatever, great photo of your GP9.

Best Wishes to everyone

Don

Thank you Don!

John - have never seen a model with the huge spotlights. Is that a custom add-on, or a production model?

https://ogrforum.com/topic/74354735546552044

@Bill Swatos posted:

Here's a "fantasy" front end from Lionel:

Pictured is the 1997 first reissue of the original PW PRR Tie-Jector Lionel offered from 1957-1960. The tie ejection mechanism is activated and deactivated by trackside "trippers" that are attached at the beginning and end of the track segment where ties are to be "delivered." In the PW original, the single PullMor motor had to operate both the drive and tie ejector mechanisms, so it had a pretty serious problem with overheating, often causing the un-ventilated shell to melt. Lionel attempted to address this problem with a ventilation slot behind the "motorman" in the later years they made the PW unit. Apparently, not many of these "ventilated" PW units were produced so it is rather rare today.

The 1997 example pictured features separate Mabuchi can motors for the drive and ejector mechanisms, so there are no overheating problems. Like the PW original, it only travels in the forward direction, requires trackside "trippers" and has a fixed rear coupler for pulling one MOW support car. Unlike the original, it was produced in several roadnames over subsequent years.

A second reissue, a "Command Control" version, was offered beginning in 2014. It features a headlight, forward-reverse and tie ejection control in conventional and TMCC modes (instead of "trippers"), and an electrocoupler for the one MOW car. The mechanicals are essentially the same as the 1997 first reissue version. Like the first reissue, it has been produced in several roadnames over subsequent years.

I must issue a correction to the statement highlighted above. The ejector mechanism is powered by an internal "take-off" from the shaft of the center gear of the drive mechanism, not a second motor. Regardless, the single can motor does not overheat like the original PullMor did, which is pretty amazing when you consider how much smaller the can motor is compared to the original. I apologize for the error.

Have a great weekend and FeF everyone!

John

Good morning, FEFers,

Here are three PRR K4s engines.  From left, Williams Streamlined, Weaver Torpedo, and Lionel unmodified (post war version).

Happy FeF!  Where did the week go?  Here are some front ends of my subway maintenance facility -

Have a good FeF enjoy your weekend.

This is the front end of New Haven Railroad FL9 #2043 - a Sunset model made in 2012.

MELGAR

Well here is one I managed to "dig up" from my storage shelf.  Its the Lionel Texas Special Alco AA from 1958. It was new in '58 and lasted only one year.  (IAW "Lionel Trains of the 1950's" by Classic Toy Trains)  It pulled a six car freight outfit (#1599) .  It included 2 new pieces of rolling stock: the 6464-60 Gulf 2 D tank car and the 6801-50 flatcar with a boat.  The 6014 box car which could be either the reissued red Frisco or the new Bosco . The 6112 gondola with canisters, the 6424 flatcar with two automobiles and a 6017 SP type caboose.  Despite offering 13 0-27 sets in 1958 including this one, it was a disappointing year.  Sales were down and the founder, Joshua Lionel Cowen announced his pending retirement. Looking back, there is no question that  the toy train golden years were coming to an end.

Here she is, the Lionel #210 Texas Special Alco AA from 1958:

Hope you have a great weekend.  Stay hydrated and watch out for the heat.

Best Wishes

Don

Happy FEF!

Have another great FEF…🚂😉

Happy FEF!

A pair of Menards FP7 red bonnets repainted to black bonnets.

Steve

Happy FEF - MTH C-628 L&N Custom Run from MrMuffins

Wow, beautiful diesels and steamers today. I wish all a very happy Friday and a great weekend. Here’s a few of my offerings for today, August 4th…. Happy Railroading Everyone

Got the ARR Veranda Turbine out to keep the electronics healthy:

I fire her up in the LionChief app every so often and go back and forth on my straight section 'cuz I don't have room for 072 curves on the tables in my office/train room. The sounds are a lot of fun and I imagine she'd pull a hundred cars easy if I could turn her loose...

Happy FEF everyone … here’s the front end of my tail end Tuesday entry…

Lionel NP F3 AB freight scheme, TMCC, RS, dual Pullmors, magnetraction, don’t remember if it also had tires. Late ‘90s release.

Here is a short video running train at the the clarksburg area model railroad club tonight!!!