OK Reading Fans... Riddle me this?

Rumor has it that MTH is working on a model of Reading & Northern 4-6-2 No. 425. A Baldwin light Pacific, she could be made from existing MTH tooling.

 Oh my, I hope they aren't using existing tooling. An accurate scale model of #425 would be quite interesting, as Baldwin built very similar locomotives for many roads.

 

Rob

 

 

 

Agreed, MTH existing tooling is for a large Pacific,  which the 425 is NOT. I just purchased (and have yet to receive) a K-Line "semi-scale" Pacific,  which will be my 425 stand in.  I figure a larger cab and correct details should make a convincing small Pacific out of a scaled-down large Pacific.  I'll need yet another camelback tender to serve as the canteen.

The shorter answer is yes, FP7's typically pulled Reading 'turtleback' passenger cars with two (2) A units, sometimes together, sometimes one on each end (push/pull). The also pulled the 'Crusader' set when the stream loco was retired.

Bill,

so pushme pullme with both observation cars?

Typically five turtle back cars with an FP7A unit on each end. That way they didn't need to turn any engines around or have to move from one end to the other.

The FP7s were not operated in push-pull configuration on the Crusader, After dieselization, the streamlined consist continued to operate with observation cars at both ends and locomotives coupled back-to-back on the head end. Consists of Reading's trains to Jersey City continued to be configured with power on the head end up until the time RDCs replaced locomotive hauled consists in this service. Reading introduced push-pull operation during the 60s on services running between Philadelphia and Reading. I believe these are the trains to which Bill is referring.

 

Bob

I would love to see an MTH model of the 425 for Blue Mountain & Reading, and some passenger cars to go with it.

 

Lee Fritz

Bob, that is correct. Thanks for making it a little clearer.

Just to add to the confusion. I think there were really 2 broad types of turtleback cars. The named trains had the "modernized" cars with wider windows and skirting. There were also commuter type cars that resembled traditional heavyweights with smaller windows and no skirting. To the best of my knowledge, no one has done these. The Weaver Pullman Bradleys are about as close as I have seen but they are 3-4 inchess too long. Even more unfortunately, because of the way K-Line and MTH mold their heavyweights, changing the roof style is a very difficult proposition.

rdg fan,

 

I would be willing to bet the wowak could pull it off! The work he has done on his Reading project engines is fantastic! All he would need are the cars to do it!

Don't think I haven't thought about it, but everything I've looked at says the amount of work isn't worth it.  If it were a matter where I could cast a replacement roof I'd probably do it, but most if not all of the large cars have the roofs and sides cast as one piece.  I'm not going to fill and sculpt a new roof on EVERY car... that'd take FOREVER.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161268708936?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

At that price, I'll take 12. 

Love the sarcasm.  I just paid $300 for one.    I also got a B&O Mikado for the same price (K-line with tmcc etc).  These come on the market occasionally at a good price you just need to be patient.  THIS ONE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TMCC!  By the way someone is also selling a 1999 RK camelback for $350.00 because it is soooooo Rare. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MTH-TR...;hash=item2337e448d7

The thing listed for $299.95.  They just don't have a clue

Still looking for photo's or any information anyone has on the Reading coaling tower at the 9th & green streets shops.

I picked up my Weaver in the $300 - $350 range as well.  It shows why one needs to be an 'informed' buyer. One peculiar thing about this seller is that most of his other items are "custom" painted by the factory.

 

Mike, you got a good price on the K-Line Mikado.  Prices of these seem to have rebounded to the $400+ area. 

 

The other railroad, besides the Reading, that I model is the B&O.  I've been looking for a Mikado for a while.  My first choice would be the 3rd Rail model, but these almost never come up for sale.  I had won a K-Line model last year with TMCC, but when I put it on the tracks it didn't run, so I sent it back to the seller.  Still looking, though.

 

Jim

Jim sent you an email.  call me