PRR MU cars

I don't know much about these, but a quick bit of research indicates that many of the 'MP54' range of coaches did not have pantographs. This seems to have been a very broad range of coach styles, some with pantographs, some with 3rd rail collectors or trolley poles, and some with nothing.

I think you'd have to check individual car numbers to be sure as to what equipment it should be fitted with.

No trolley poles or third rail for PRR MP54s. They ran on 11,000 volts. 

PRR MP54's used on mainlines were equipped with pantographs.  There were some trailer coaches without pantographs and were permanently fixed to a powered MP54.  In that case both cars did not have headlights on permanently attached ends.  All powered MP54's only had one pantograph, trailers had none. 

The dissertation along side the pictures clearly noted each car received one pantograph while rebuilding in Altoona. 

LIRR cars similar. if not identical to PRR MP54's, did not have pantographs and used 3rd rail pickups.

On PRR service out of Camden NJ, with wooden and steel cars they had both trolley poles and 3rd rail pickups.  They were DC powered unlike the other MP54's in mainline service which were 11,000V AC.  The 3rd rail pickups were the preferred mode, but in Gloucester City NJ, they had trolley wire due to so many grade crossings. 

According to the MTH catalog CSS&SB had double pantograph on every other car.  I cannot prove or disprove that. 

On MTH catalog, the SEPTA cars, which are repainted PRR MP54's, the pantographs are correct. 

I hope this clarifies any confusion.

Mikeg

To redirect; does anyone have a line to MTH or to Mike himself to see if the drawing is in error or if MTH is producing the wrong setup on these cars. 

It would seem obvious, at least to me, that the three non powered cars in the powered set would need to be identical to the 2 car non powered set. 

I am not trying to beat a dead horse, I just want to assure that I spend my money on items at least relatively if not completely accurate. 

Mikeg

Considering that the previous time MTH did the Pennsy MP54 they did them all with one pantograph per car I am willing to bet that this time they'll do them the same way.  What probably happened was that someone painted a set of CSS&SB cars for Pennsy.

Link to 2005 Pennsy MP54 add-on set

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-2649-3

Stuart