Locomotive for "Fleet of Modernism" 15 inch cars(4580 series)

How about  traditional (Post war) size GG1 in 5 stripe Tuscan?

Pete

RailKing PRR K4 or GG1

Thanks, Mark and Norton! I do love the GG1 and the tuscan color, but someone said (think on the Forum) that it was the green that was used. I can't find that anywhere.

Thanks again!

Bill

That is correct, the green GG1's and the FOM cars ran together. By the time the GG1's were repainted tuscan, the passenger cars had been repainted to the simplified stripe scheme. There is a website out there somewhere that has an incredibly detailed history of the GG1's, including the dates various color schemes were used. That's where I got that info; unfortunately I don't have the site bookmarked so can't give you a link. 

Thank you, Southwest Hiawatha.

I thought I had seen it somewhere. Do you know if they ever ran with an F3A in PRR tuscan w/ 5 stripes? Some of the sets seem to show this.

Thanks again - much appreciated!

Cheers,

Bill

Any chance a scale T-1 would work with the FOM car's?

Hi Andrew!

I would love a T-1, but I'm afraid it would dwarf the 15 inch cars. If they made it in Rail King, I would be happy!

BTW, my son is at Tinker.

Thanks, and Cheers!

Bill

Pennsy NEVER had any Tuscan 5-stripe F units period.  Now they did have a couple of Tuscan 5-stripe FP units.

Classically a S1 heading up the consist of Fleet of Modernism would be the ticket.  But I do not believe anyone made any sub-scale S1.

Ron

Thanks, Ron! I appreciate the great info. I'm sure an S-1 would be great, but I'm restricted by the Rail King size and the size of the layout. I'm sure it isn't available in what I need.

I'll keep lookin' for something that will fit!

Have a greart evening!

Bill

I think those are great cars, and over the past several months have succeeded in putting together a train of 8. Add a few Railway Express cars on the head end, and you have a nice consist. I pull mine most of the time with a green 5-stripe K-Line GG1. Some photos are attached. However, it would also be prototypically correct to use one of the bullet-nose PRR pacifics, or even a 671/681 steam turbine. I have a 671 which will take its turn on the point in the future. The duplex-drive PRR steam locomotives would also be accurate.

According to the book on PRR Passenger Car lettering, by Charles Blardone, Jr. and Peter Tilip, the cars were introduced in 1938. They were the idea and design of Raymond Loewy, of GG1 fame.   The book also states that K4's or dark green GG1's were usually the power.  

Most were gone by the late 1940's, repainted into more standard PRR colors. 

B&OBill

A follow-up on the S-2 6-8-6 turbine:  The book Pennsy Power by Alvin F. Stauffer has two photos of the Broadway Limited with Fleet of Moderinism cars being pulled by the 6-8-6, pages 243 and 244. There actually was only one 6-8-6 turbine  made, #6200. But, it sure made an impression on Lionel.  So, put your 671 or 681, or the Williams equivalent, on the point and let her roll!

B&OBill

Regarding the sub-scale T-1: Lionel did make a Lionmaster 4-4-4-4 Shark. As I recall it had some issues with certain switches, but it was a nice looking rig. I don't know how big it was or exactly when it was made. 

On another note: I also run my 15" aluminum FOM cars with a K-Line GG-1. Unfortunately, K-Line's shade of green is way lighter than the prototype. The black one almost looks more prototypical than the green. I don't recall ever seeing a semi-scale GG-1 that got the color right, although several of the scale versions on the market have a pretty good approximation of the PRR's very dark green. 

Thank you, Banbob! Both for the info and the glorious photos! They are a real inspiration!

I also just ran across an MTH Torpedo, Railking, in tuscan and Brunswick green.  Now I have to make sure they are still around!

I'm new to this, and it is FUN!! So many choices!

Thanks for the advice!!

Have a great evening!

Bill

AND, thanks again, Southwest Hiawatha. I know that PRR  Brunswick green is almost black. I'll check the Lionel Shark, also.

Cheers,

Bill

You may want to try a Williams GG-1  I know the scale GG-1s are on sale now but you may be able to get a good buy on a traditional size unit

Thank you, coach joe.

I hadn't thought of them - I'll check them out.

Cheers!

Bill

I have the KCC plastic FOM set. I don't care for the Alcos they came with, since they can't pull the entire consist. I pull them with a green Railking GG1, a 681 turbine, or the Lionel green Pennsy Torpedo. All look good pulling the cars.

Great, Mike. I'm beginning to really like a Torpedo! It sort of captures the look of the era!

Thanks!

Bill

MTH has made some nice looking torpedo's....

on another note, where does your son work? i was a flight engineer on the E-3, standing by on retraining. got accepted to Air Traffic Control...

IMHO a Torpedo would look great with the FOM cars. The prototype Torpedo was green. I have also seen 0 gauge Torpedos in tuscan, which is non-prototypical but would look super with the FOM cars. K-Line made a nice one, as did MTH in the Rail King (semi-scale) line. 

just read this on the keystone crossing page, might give more options than stated able

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/faqs/fleet.php

"Regarding motive power at the head of "The Fleet", Rich Orr stated, "My guess list would be: S1, K4, E7, GG1, BP20, M1, M1a, M1b, and T1"

Cupper added "Almost certainly the two K5 engines for Baltimore-Harrisburg service on the Liberty Limited. BP20 Baldwin passenger sharknoses and AP20 Alco PAs/PBs, though it should be understood that by this time (1948-49), 'solid' trains of Fleet of Modernism equipment would have become less common as more cars with the tuscan body/gold striping style began to show up, and intermixing  took place.

"By the time the E8s started arriving (1950-52), unrepainted Fleet cars were fewer and farther between, but they persisted for quite awhile, as many Clarence Weaver films will prove. Some lasted well into the 1950's without being repainted."

"

I run my K-Line plastic FOM cars behind my green Railking Torpedo (30-1118) and IMO they look great together.

Bill

Thanks, All, for the great advice! I'm going to go looking for either a tuscan or green MTH Rail King Torpedo. I really like the look, but the GG1 is a favorite, as I grew up with it flying by house in Pennsylvania (I have one in HO for a static display).

Andrew - congrats on the ATC position. My son is with the B2 Sustainment "squadron", and is being transfered in June. Loved the Keystone Crossing site!

Again- thanks to one and all - this is a wonderful site!

Cheers,

Bill

Williams has made a dark(black?) traditional size GG1 in the past. There is one on the Bay now but I believe it has the earlier non flywheel motor. I think they also made newer version with flywheel motors but would have to check some old catalogs to verify.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willia...;hash=item4165538403

Pete

I use my first-edition LionMaster T-1 to pull my FOM cars.  I too have the K-Line plastic cars, which are really a little small for the T-1, but it looks okay when you get enough of them stretched out.

The new LionMaster T-1 with Legacy, Whistle Steam, and a tightened uo drawbar gap is da bomb!

Jon 

PRR Railking E-3?

Hi Norton,

That is a pretty GG1 - I'm afraid it might be a bit big for the cars, though. If I can't find a Torpedo, a GG1 would be my second choice.

I'm phasing out of LGB in my garage, but for now I'm restricted to only a 10x6 platform!

Thanks!

Bill

Good Morning, KOOLjock1!

That LionMaster T-1 is fantastic, but unfortunately I don't have the room to string out a lot of cars. Maybe someday! I also think that was one of the "authentic" locomotives for the FOM.

Thanks and Cheers!

Bill

Hi Michael,

The E-3 is a good recommendation - thanks!

So many great options!

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks, Norton - you're absolutely right! The GG1 goes back into the mix!! It does look good!

Bill

This is a reply to WftTrains-

Regarding your 30-1118, is the only difference with the 30-1403 that the 1403 has a newer Proto? Also, is yours black?

Thanks!!

Bill

Hi Bill,

Thank you so much! I'm in a quandry, and would love to get your informed opinion. I cannot find the Brunswick Green ( the 30-1403), but I did find ONE Tuscan in the 30-1404. The price for it is $399, which I think is a little high? I think with ebay the 1118 is more available and cheaper, but without the Proto 2, and with a potential of some probs. The Tuscan is still a close second.

Based on your experience - what do you think? I'm not putting you on the spot, but would love your input.

Several other dealers are looking, but it looks like the Brunswick Green 1403 is a rarity. Since I have no real technical knowledge, I'm a little reluctant to buy an unkown from ebay.

Thanks for listening, and for any advice you might give!

Cheers!

Bill

Hi KOOLjock1,

For some reason I can't open the video. I would love to see it - can't figure out what I' doing wrong.

Thanks,

Bill

Hi Bill:

I couldn’t open Kooljock’s video, either. 

But back to answering your most recent question, I just reread this entire thread to see what kind of control system you are using and you don’t mention either TMCC or DCS.  If that means you are using conventional, why not look for the non-PS Railking Torpedo (30-1118-0)?  It will cost a lot less, look identical and will likely pull just as good as the more-expensive PS versions.  And you will not likely have any problems with the electronics, either.  Plus it came in Green, which is the only correct color for a Torpedo (I noted in your original posting you asked for “recommendations for a proper locomotive to pair with them". 

I just looked on eBay and wouldn’t you know there is a non-PS Railking Torpedo on eBay right now for sale by a very large dealer who happens to be one of the advertisers of this Forum.  It is used and they say that the smoke unit fan and the tender shell have been replaced so that takes care of the tender problem and since it’s not PS there is no chip problem.  But actually my first suggestion was going to be “be patient” and don’t jump at the first thing that pops up.  So if that one gets bid up too high for you, wait as there will be another one.  The spring and summer are good times to buy trains as the market demand is down.  And I bet there will be one at  York in October.

I also have that same green K-Line GG-1 that BANDOB showed in his nice photos and although I never ran it with my FOM cars I can see that it looks good pulling them.  Plus it is also prototypical in 5-stripe green.  Mine is conventional without TMCC and has can motors.  That may be cheaper than a non-PS Torpedo as K-Line’s original price to KCC members was only $100.  But it doesn’t have a horn which is a drawback.

In addition to the high-priced postwar models, Lionel also made a 5-stripe green GG-1 in 1981.  This is cab #4935, the prototype of which I believe was one of the last ones restored and run before they took them all out of service.  It has 2 pullmor motors which IMO are not as good as can motors.  I don’t know want kind of transformer you are using but this engine pulling 4 or 5 of those 15” lighted cars may use it all up and leave no capacity for accessories, lights, etc.   

I have one of these but never ran it.  It’s packed away and I can’t remember if it has a horn.  There’s one of these on eBay right now.

Hope this helps,

Bill

K-Line also made a Torpedo. They aren't all that common, but they don't go for vast amounts of money when they do turn up. I was thinking of getting one to pull my Rail Chief tinplate cars, but then I ran across a Williams brass Dreyfuss for small money and bought that for the Rail Chiefs.

Thanks, Southwest Hiawatha.

I'll definitely have a look.

Cheers, Bill

Good Morning, wftTrains!

Truly sage advice! The size and scope of my current layout is a very important consideration. As I'm just getting started in O Guage, I have plenty of time to "build", and of course never be "all done"! I still have a lot of LGB,too. Patience is going to be key - a trait I'm not really good with. "Sleep on it" has to be my mantra! Plus I come from building models - planes and armor- where kits, decals, etc. disappear rapidly and are gone. OOP is to familiar a phrase.

My O guage is VERY basic, VERY small, and only powered by a Z1000, plus a separate transformer for lighting,etc. At this point, I am only running one train at a time, but I hope that won't be a permanent situation!

I did get into the hunt on the 1118 you mentioned, and if it doesn't work out, as "Annie" says - "Tomorrow,......" Good to know summer is a good time to buy. At this point, basic "bells and whistles" will do just fine for me and the Grandkids. And, a deep breath before "Pay Now" is a good thing.

Thank you, Sir!

Cheers,

Bill