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Hello!

I just purchased two FOM cars (15 inch), and would like recommendations as to a proper locomotive to pair with them. I'm also looking for a few more cars!(have the baggage and Federal View Observation)

I have a small layout, so 42 inch curves are not an option.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

Cheers!

Bill

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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. 

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

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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

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."

"

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

Originally Posted by mebucko:

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.

 

Thanks!

Bill

 

The traditional size GG1 is 14" long, shorter than your passenger cars.

Check B&O Bill's pic above next to a 6464 size express reefer.

 

Pete

Originally Posted by mebucko:

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

Bill: No, my 30-1118-1 is Brunswick Green and has the original Protosound system which many of us now call “PS-1”.   It has the prototypical cab number of 3768 and here’s a link to its description on the MTH website: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-1118-1

 

It also came without protosounds: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-1118-0

 

The 1403 appears to be identical to mine except it has PS-2.  Here’s a link to its description: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-1403-1  The dimensions given are exactly the same as the dimensions of my 30-1118-1 and note that it will operate on O31 curves.

 

Needless to say the PS-2 version would be the better choice if you can find one.  I often see the PS-1 version on eBay and only have seen a few of either the non-PS version or the PS-2 version on eBay.  But buying a PS-1 version could be risky.  Make sure that the tender is not deformed and that the chip is not scrambled.  I’ve had all of the PS-1 problems and have spent $$$ to repair it.  I now have a BCR in it and it has been fine.  So that should be your first upgrade if you buy one without a BCR. 

 

Now, will it look good with the 15” cars?  I don’t have any K-Line 15” passenger cars to run behind it but I do have a K-Line 16” Pennsy Business car and I coupled that car to the tender, put a level across the top of both and it read exactly level.  Therefore the top of the tender is exactly the same height as the K-Line 16” car.  I then tried it with a 15" Williams PRR coach and same result.  I could send you some photos if you are interested. 

 

HTH,

 

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 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

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

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