OK Reading Fans... Riddle me this?

The SGL turtlebacks are the only prototypical,  non-Crusader Reading passenger cars available in O. The only "close" set is the Weaver Pullman-Bradleys. Nothing from MTH, Lionel, K-Line or Williams is close, unless you're modeling 1900-1930s when clerestory roofs were prevalent.

I would love the Weavers, but I am a realist and will not be able to run anything larger than 18" cars.  That is why I am selling my 20" PRR Aluminum Streamliners.  Sigh.....

The SGL cars will not run on less than O72, BTW.

Mike:

 

In my most recent post, I asked if you have any books about the Reading. You didn't answer so I'm guessing you didn't see it. If you do already own some Reading books, let us know which titles you have so we can make recommendations for some additions to your library. There are a number of well researched and informative Reading books available which will prove invaluable if you are truly serious about your Reading modeling.

 

Bob 

Good idea.  Here's my collection: 

Still a few obvious gaps, but I'm frugal and pick them up when I find deals.

Sorry Bob,

Didn't see that I am starting to look on Amazon and other places for used before I start the indepth serious hunt..  :-)

Actually, the K-Line aluminum passenger cars aren't that bad. They have the correct door configurations but wrong ends and don't have turtleback roofs. They came in 18' length which are correct as well as 15'. The skirts are hinged so they will run on tight curves. I suspect the FP-7s may not run on O-42 or tighter curves.

But they are realllllly nice!

 

I originally built my layout with O-54 and O-63 curves, in part, so I wouldn't be tempted to buy any large articulated engines.  Now, I find myself pulling out the O-54 and O-63 curves and replacing them with O-72 and O-80 just for my passenger cars!

 

Jim

I'm pretty much dead set on a minimum of O72, at least on mainlines, and bigger where I can get away with it. (Ideally all the visible mainline will be O80/O96 with O72 on hidden/staging tracks... but that may not actually be attainable.)

OK  after doing some research......
I want to kitbash a set of MTH Premier F-units to create FP-7's.

 

The Reading modeler had some good references.  Please let me know if I am reading this wrong........

 

So it seems that the best set for kit bashing to create a set of FP-7's with the least amount of detailing would actually be a set of f-3's.

 

Why do you say?????

 

It all has to do with the Dynamic Brake fan that the F-7's have.

 

"The road's F7 units arrived throughout 1950, and were nearly identical in appearance to the earlier F3s.  The main spotting difference was the addition of a raised dynamic brake fan on the roof behind the cab, where the F3 had a vent flush with the roofline.  This gave the F7 five visible rooftop fans instead of the F3's four."

 

Soooooooo

Because the F-7's and F-3's were virtually the same in length, then cutting would have to happen to lengthen the bodies by 1" in either model.

 

"When modeling the FP7s, remember that these units were four feet longer than freight units.  Some F7 models have steam generator details cast in the shell to try to pass as a passenger unit.  Also, the FP7s did not have dynamic brakes and should only have 4 visible fans.  Be sure to add the proper Nathan M5 air horn, along with the additional grab irons and other body details."

 

In addition I need to replace the f-3 chicken wire with the stainless steel grates.

 

These references were taken from The Reading Modeler   This seems to be a great reference.

 

Comments?

Without having done the research, I wonder how much money you'd save cutting up MTH F3s (I assume you'd need extra carbodies to get the extra length) vs. just buying the Sunset FP7s, and if it would be worth the effort.

You could use the B-Unit for the missing length. MTH F3 and F7 sets came with a dummy B. The F3 units sell for a lot less since they were Proto-1 and less detailed and had the wrong fans.  A talented modeler like yourself could do it probably it for half the cost if you used the F-3's, but you wouldn't be charging yourself for the time. Also adding a Proto-2 or 3 board or TMCC with cruise is going to add around $250.00.

lets see......   a proto1 ABA $250 to $300 with not bad details  vs. Sunset ones at $1200 for the pair and ehhh details by some accounts.  Ill get the F-3's and mod them and make them how I want.  Next topic camelbacks.  I have an interesting photo and need ideas.  More to come later today    thanks

Oh wow, for some reason I had it in my head that the Sunset FP7s were in the $800 range.   Although I haven't heard any complaints about the level of detail.

Also, I was thinking in comparison to PS2 sets, which seem to be running around $500.

$500 for Proto - FP-7's is a little bit of a low ball.  They do not come up very often on the secondary market. Maybe they will come up more often with the FP-7 release. The F-3's are much more available. The Sunset models were about $1200 for a powered pair.  Both are fully independent with sounds & smoke.  To do upgrade to TMCC or DCS you would have to add boards to both units. That is $500-$600 by itself.

How do you figure $500-600 to add TMCC/RS?

ok so $1200 was for a powered pair  And there are at least 2 pair of the 2rail on fleabay.  and with all of the comments about jerkiness I am not surprised

Brian, we see the question (hehehehe   Just kidding)

       
       


Smart phone is not always smart!

Its cool! 

These will get proto2 upgrades for about $350 - $400 depending if I buy new upgrades or recycle boards.

Yes, I was assuming $200 times 2 engines, plus installation. Keep in mind MTH F-unit pairs use a slave board in the second A unit. These are not very available and don't provide independent operation.

Well other than that the parts cost less than $200 per unit, I feel it's safe to assume that the guy whose talking about sawing some F3s in HALF to make FP7s would be the kind of guy who would be comfortable installing his own command boards.  

Ok well I think we have exhausted this episode of Reading Diesel Refits!

 

Next topic will be posted in 2-3 hours

Did somebody say camelbacks?!

 

!@#$% Showoff

 

If anybody needs me I'll be over here sawing engines in half.

OMG ITS THE MAD SCRAPPER!!!!!   HIDE YOUR ENGINES!!!!!

Ok one more statement on the issue  I found a set of proto 1 aba in Daylight livery for $233.75.  These are prime candidates for lengthening and repainting.  That being the case I am in no rush on this as I am finishing the basement room and have several other projects in front of this.   AND as a wise sage by the name of Patrick Marinari once said to me, "Do you NEED this, or WANT this?  There is nothing that you want in this hobby, that you cannot find again in a reasonable time frame at a reasonable price"  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-mo...470230-/161205242622

Ok so an update, I will be trading for a set of premier f-3's soon!  And I picked up a Lionel CNJ camelback, which I believe I can re-letter for RDG.  Yea!  
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.........

I believe the engine in this picture is an A-4 or A-5.  Were these used

1. turning and switching in the terminal
2. actual passenger runs in the Philadelphia division
3. This is a fluke that it is there
4. Primarily local freight

Inquiring minds want to know.........

OH.......

And has anyone made anything close to the A4 - A5  and if not how hard would it be to kit bash?

To me, it looks like a 4-4-0

 

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/pr573.jpg

 

The Reading stayed with 4-4-0's longer than most other roads. They were well suited for commuter runs in and out of Reading Terminal. They also ran on the Atlantic City Railroad between Camden and Atlantic City until heavier trains demanded Pacifics.

 

Like the Pennsy, the Reading classified 4-4-0's as "D." They began with "D-1" and culminated with 10 "D-11" Nos. 410-419 (Baldwin, 1914). They were the first with end cabs. They had 68 1/2" drivers, 21 x 24-inch cylinders, 210 lbs. boiler pressure, and weighed 173,490 lbs. The D-11's were the last 4-4-0's built for an American road and the heaviest of their type. They were scrapped in 1945 and 1946.

 

In the above photo of Reading Terminal, No. 2 is the most likely answer; No. 3, the least likely.

 

Mike, not sure if you have this already but it's a good source of Reading RR info and the museum is interesting and growing:

 

Reading Company Technical & Historical Society

 

Also check out Reading Railroad Days at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

 

Have fun!

Ok so I was just looking at the new digital issue and at the top of the page was the premier camelback from 2008.  Now I am not ure how scarce it is, but they have it at LIST PRICE! $899.00  Really??

Now on another note I picked up a Lionel CNJ camelback for $249.00

A retailer can set any price they want, you don't have to pay it.

Oh I know that Brian,

I am just surprised.  They are usually a decent discounter.  Was this model that rare or prized?  I am just surprised, not critical of the Trainworld guys.  They are very very good to the OGR community.  Just wondering what makes this particular engine a list price one. 

I suppose it's possible it's a typo as well.  Have you checked their website to see if they list it, and if so, at what price?

 

Brian where are the next pics of the camelback?? 

I haven't had any time to work on my 2-8-0 camelback lately.

 

There are two Premier 2.0 camelbacks on ebay right now, both "Buy it Now," one at $679, one at $859, both in the CNJ scheme.

Yes, it was catalogued with a surprisingly high list price, but numbers were limited, dealer discounts were slim, so the price remains high.  It is extremely well detailed but most purchasers were frustrated by the lack of sound volume. In general, I've noticed back supplies of MTH Reading stuff slowly disappearing. I think, a lot of people, like me, are thinking that in the current environment, production of new Reading stuff is being curtailed.