Max Gray PRR DD1 opinion and advice needed

Id suggest digging deeper and remove the weights ontop of the frame. They might reveal the screws for the drawbar.

I'm surprised the seem to be permanently coupled.   I agree that there is probably a screw connection under the weights.    I would redo with a drawbar on one  unit and a pin on the other so you can lift them apart.

As for wiring, probably the way they are is probably most reliable.    The wiper setup looks very well done, if not factory.    I have never seen the underside of these so I can't say what was done originally.    The prototypes were not run as individual  units as far as I know.   Everything I have read, says they were run in pairs both by PRR and LI.    PRR sold or leased some to LI.    If you used a plug connection between them and left them wired this way, they would have very reliable pickkups.    Remember more pickups are better than less for overcoming any dirty track.     I have an 0-4-0 switcher and I put extra pickups on the insulated tender wheels.

It is somewhat complicated to change the rods so the insulated set up may be the way they were built.   You might look for evidence of a plug connection between the units that has been removed.

The kelly green is not very prototypical.    The prototypes were painted the PRR "Dark Green Locomotive Enamel" which we call Brunswick green.   This is an almost black looking color.    You can readily see the green tint when placed next to something that is black.     So a much darker green would make more sense    Scalecoat made a PRR Brunswick Green that you could even darken with black if desired.    The lettering on all passenger stuff in that era should be gold leaf or bronze, not DULUX yellow.    They probably got the yellow eventually.    Also I have seen photos of models with the 5 gold stripe scheme, but I don't think I have seen prototype photos of that scheme.   Not sure on that.    The red window frames are accuragte.     By the wya there is a prototype at the museum in Strasburg PA.

All,

Thanks for the help.  There is one of these on the ebay that has the same pickup set up and each unit is separable.  Also on YouTube, there is a video of one being unpacked after some rough handling by the USPS.  Wipers are on that one and appears to have a removable pin at the drawbar which mine does not.

I was able to bench test it.  Each  motor draws an amp for a total of 2 Amps.  Definitely not efficient. It may be time to drop in a couple Pittmans.

That is not too bad for an O scale loco.   I would check the speed.   If it is OK, My opinion stick with them.

The Weaver locos came with Pittman 8314 motors, I think, and they draw over 2 amps under heavy load.    The safe thing if using DCC is to use an NCE D408SR decoder.    These are rated at 4 amps continuous and the latest release is 10 amps stall.    They have really great motor control and I think 7-8 lighting or other function outputs.

If the pick up system works well on the track, I’d leave that be, ….I’d definitely be putting those open frame motors up for sale…..two Pittman 8000’s would power that locomotive very well, and probably consume an amp or less between the two if you can’t source 8000’s, 9432’s are short & stubby and should fit where those amp hogs are currently residing …...as far as paint goes, I’m not a Pennsy guru, but it doesn’t look like proper Pennsy green to me……looks like lacquer thinner to the rescue …..😉

Pat

@swrr posted:

This is a recent auction find. It appears to be in fairly well cared for condition. Not sure what the thought is with the Kelly green color.

The two units appear permanently coupled? If someone knows a way to decouple them aside from a drastic measure such as cutting the brass bar I would be curious.  

It also appears that the drivers are insulated all on the same side in the coupled configuration, hence the need for pick up wipers.   Not sure if that is stock? The way I would set this up is to  have an insulated bar/coupler and have the two drivers for each unit pick up on opposite sides thus eliminating wipers akin to steam loco/tender set up.  

SWRR,    I just sent you one of my DD-1 photos which I lifted off the www.  I have around 30 DD-1 pix and the only one with stripes is Long Island. Though that is certainly not proof that PRR did not have some DD-1s with stripes also.   Too bad we cannot post these photos on the forum.  If anyone wants a copy of the Long Island with stripes send a message to my email.          j

@harmonyards posted:

If the pick up system works well on the track, I’d leave that be, ….I’d definitely be putting those open frame motors up for sale…..two Pittman 8000’s would power that locomotive very well, and probably consume an amp or less between the two if you can’t source 8000’s, 9432’s are short & stubby and should fit where those amp hogs are currently residing …...as far as paint goes, I’m not a Pennsy guru, but it doesn’t look like proper Pennsy green to me……looks like lacquer thinner to the rescue …..😉

Pat

Pat,

Thanks for the encouragement and advice!

Rob