PRR X-29b, 40' Merch. Serv. Ph. I:

MTH made an X29B with the Phase I paint scheme.

MTH, Lionel, and Weaver all have inaccuracies with ends and/or roof styles compared to the X29B prototype.

Lionel and Weaver use a Pullman PS-1 car body.  This car body is only correct for the X48 in which the PRR only ordered 20.  Lionel makes the best example of the X48.

The MTH has a viking roof.  The X29B's had diagonal roofs.

So any version has inaccuracies that you will have to decide if you can live with.

I have the MTH version since, in my view, it is the best stand-in.  If I have the inclination, I can always change the roof to better match the prototype.

Hope this helps.

Thank you PRR #1, for your valuable info.
I favor modeling the P.RR., as it ran just south of the Susquehanna River, in and through Nanticoke, Pa., where my wife's maternal grandparents have their house in.

The P.RR./PenCentral/ConRail, now Norfolk Southern.

The south bank of the Susquehanna River had the D.L.&W., then it became the E.-L., now nothing.  What, a shame.
Take care,

Ralph 

You didn't mention how the Atlas O X29 models stack up, especially the custom run cars from Middle Division.

Not a Merchandise Service expert, but I always liked the Varney mosel, so had my decal guy duplicate them in O Scale.  If you are in the mood to repaint and decal, these are available at ten bucks plus shipping from the guy who does all my decals.  You might have to paint the doors, since the decal film does not dissolve as good as the old Champ stuff.

bob2,

Is that really an X-29 car?  Also, I thought Atlas O offered some of those styled PRR cars too. 

Thanks, to all for their input.

Here's some info. that may help with P.RR., M.S., Phases I,II, & III box car sizes and graphics.

Scroll down:

http://home.comcast.net/~abbuchan1/TKM_No._15_10-04_PDF.pdfRalph

I would not know an X-29 car if I fell over one.  I was simply pointing out that decals are a viable option.

i like your note on the single and double sheathed MTH.  I may have to add some plastic.

 Is that really an X-29 car?  Also, I thought Atlas O offered some of those styled PRR cars too.

The X-29B was a rebuilt car using a recycled X-29 underframe and a modern dimensioned car body.  An Atlas Masterline or MTH Premier AAR box car would be very close to the correct dimensions.  The X-29B shown in the article in the Keystone Modeler linked above has R+3/4 improved dreadnought ends making the Atlas Trainman 40 foot box car the closest mass produced plastic model available.  Perhaps Atlas could be persuaded to do a PRR Merchandise Service version in the future.

Ted,

You have a point regarding Atlas 'O' Master Line making a P.RR. M.S. box car.

I'd like to see a P.RR. X-29b, 40 ft. Merchandise Service, Phase I, box car with the intricate, multi color paint scheme and markings, in 1:48 scale, for 2, or 3 rail.

Not only did this car have the overall Freight Car Red, or Tuscan Red body, but also:

High/Wide White Horizontal Band;

Aluminum/Silver Horizontal Band, in the White Band;

White Circle with a Red background;

White Keystone on the Red background, within the White Circle;

Red intertwined 'PRR' lettering, on the White Keystone.

In addition to the above, there are the words 'Merchandise Service' in Red, on the Aluminum/Silver Band and there is White outlining on the 'M.S.' lettering.

Probably, applying these intricate, multi colors, to a car, might be a costly, nightmare for manufacturers.

But, with the newer modern graphics and techniques, this aforementioned task, might be accomplished.
I'd gladly pay the extra cost, for a brass, or even a plastic model, but it has to have the correct: proportions, color paint scheme, markings and body detailing, as if it were a prototype, 'Real-Deal' box car shrunk down to 1:48 scale size.

A typical museum quality crafted piece.

Ralph 

I have an accurate PRR x-29 box car kit from DesPlaines Hobbies. The kit is resin with fine scale details and decals, less T&C. $75.00 shipped. I will never get around to building it.

Soo Nut,

If, you are going to sell it, I thank you, but my artistic and crafting talents are long gone.

My eyes and hands are not what they used to be.

I now buy ready made items, if affordable.

Take care,

Ralph

On behalf of Ralph, the other people that have posted on this thread should remember that the topic is X29B's and not X29's and the Merchandise Service Phase I paint scheme not the Phase II scheme.  In my book the two are worlds apart.

 MTH example of the X29B with Phase I scheme

Atlas O example of X29 with Phase II scheme.

PRR #1,

That's it!

Thank you.

MTH has what I'm looking for, right down to the white outlining on the 'MS' lettering and I'm wrong about the circle, around the keystone being white.

The circle around the keystone IS aluminum/silver!!!!

Even, the road number IS prototypical!

Please, if you would, what Premier item number is this car and how long ago did you obtain it?

Thank you,

Take care,

Ralph

Very welcome.

According to PRRT&HS, only X26C's, X29B's, and X41B's received the Phase I scheme.

Later on, X29's were added to LCL service but by then the Phase II scheme was in play.

By the time the Phase III scheme was introduced, LCL service was winding down so very few cars received this scheme.

Phase I and II schemes remained on cars long after LCL service was dropped so they can be used as prototypical examples covering a wide period. 

Thank you PRR #1, for your useful and interesting information, regarding P.RR's. 'M.S.'

I looked on MTH's. Web.Site, but I did not locate the MTH X-29b car you show, please, that's why I am asking you for the Item number and time period you obtained this beauty.

Ralph

PRR #1,

Great information. What is the time frame, or "era", i.e. steam & early diesel, for the Phase I and Phase II paint schemes?

Thanks in advance.

That's

MTH 20-93467

On MTH's site use the "product locator" feature and type in "20-93467".

It was issued in the 2009 Vol 2 catalog.

The "find it" button indicates some dealers may still have it in stock.

I would also just do a google search using "MTH 20-93467".

According to PRRT&HS the schemes were applied:

Phase I (MS1)

9/1947 - 1948 (applied to 2 X26C, >140 X29B, 100 X40B and 300 X41B)

Phase II (MS2)

1/1950 - 5/1954 (first scheme applied to X29's)

Phase III (MS3)

5/1954 - 11/1957 ? (very few cars received this scheme, 1 known X29)

Another distinctive detail on an X29b is the inset side sill structure used to tie the original narrow under frame to the wider upper body.  I'm away from home and don't have access an Equipment Register or my The Keystone's.  How does the car compare with an X29b from the roof style and door width?  The paint job looks very nice - this might just be one of those times to overlook the detail differences in order to get a sharp looking car.

Ed Rappe

PRR #1,

Thank you Sir,

I'm contacting a hobby shop, which has the car, in a little while.

MTH has the locator feature, which is great for locating items and stores.

Good info. and product number.

Ralph

Ed, the "X29b" appears to be MTH's version of a 1937 AAR box car, standard 5/4 dreadnaught ends. Sadly, it's definitely NOT an X29b by any stretch. 

http://www.billspennsyphotos.c...12-48%20b%20800x.jpg

Yes, the MTH car body is based on a 1937 AAR car with viking roof.

As previously pointed out, all recent O scale versions of X29B boxcars or MS1 paint schemes have inaccuracies.

Seems a bit much to expect accurate side sill details etc for a mass produced model intended to serve as a reasonable stand-in for a wide variety road name boxcars.

MTH is close enough in my book.

If it's not to your level of perfection, you don't need to buy one.

PRR#1,

I must admit that it really is a great looking car, even if MTH styled it on a 1937 AAR boxcar. I may still try to find one someplace. Thanks for the info.

These detail discussion are always interesting and informative. 

 Thank you

Mike CT 

We all get to make our own compromises.  The Viking roof killed my interest in the MTH car standing in for a X29b.  That roof style is very distinctive - but something PRR never tried on their huge box car fleet.  Perhaps AtlasO will do a Merchandise Service scheme on their Trainman 40'  box car some day 

Ed Rappe

Hot Water,

I found and bought mine from PatsTrains.com 1(304) 232-0714, in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Ralph

PRR #1,

Thanks to you, my search is over and I now have a beautiful MTH PRR MS Phase I color paint scheme and marked X-29B and as the prototype, it has the white outlining on the Red lettering, of the words "Merchandise Service."

I bought it from PatsTrains in Wheeling, West Virginia, as a lot of places either were out of stock, or never carried them and don't intend to.

Whatever, the deficiencies, MTH's version is mostly dead on in all respects.

There, is even space at the lower corner's of the 'A' and 'B' ends to draw crescent moon shaped 'Polling-Pockets,' as on the prototype, see: Rule 292's post, if so desired, with a brown color, fine point Magic Marker, or leave it plain, as is on some X-29B prototypes, which have no 'Polling-Pockets.'

Take care,

Ralph 

For any of you that are interested, I discovered yesterday at my local hobby shop that, MTH is re-issuing the "Phase I" styling on a PS-1 boxcar. It is apparently an un-catalogued Premier item, and will be shipping in April. I didn't get the item number, but the shop is ordering some. Even though the car is technically wrong, after installing Kadee couplers and a good weathering job, it should look pretty good in a long freight train, from three feet away anyway.

Hot Water,

Do you mean this MTH 50' PRR PS-1 MS Phase I box car, no 'Polling-Pockets?': 

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/20-93582 

For comparison, here's the real X-41B PRR MS Phase I 50 ft. box car, with crescent moon 'Poling-Pockets.'

http://www.billspennsyphotos.c...oto?photoid=60423799

If, you want the 40' version, see my previous post regarding PatsTrains.

Ralph-RJL

Thanks for the heads up. Just got off the phone with PatsTrains, and purchased the last one they had. As info, any of the shops listed on the MTH product locator site, no longer have any of the #20-93467 boxcars either.

Hot Water,

You are welcome, anytime.

If, it wasn't for PRR #1, I would not have gotten this beauty and thanks to PRR #1, who told me about this beauty, I called MTH and a young lady, Customer Service Representative gave me three stores, which her computer indicated had them.

Two stores were out of them and the third's store owner said that he thinks he had them, but was too busy at the time to check for them and he was supposed to call me back, but never did.

I then, went on line and found Pats Trains, that's how I was able to find and buy this beauty and I told Pat that his store was not on file with MTH, of which he knew.

Aside, from any of the detailing inaccuracies, for the most part the car is mostly close to the prototype, with all of its intricate color paint scheme, markings and some details. 

When, you get yours you will see what a beauty this item is.

If, I knew, back then, when this car first hit the market, I would have bought the two road numbers produced.

With my luck, when I find out about a neat car, its about two, three, or four years later and most stores are either out of stock, did not carry it, or I have to search around.

Some stores may have items that are better than four years old, which is a rarity and four years seems to be the cut off time period, due to loss of profits.

Most stores get rid of old stock, which don't move.

Where, the old, unsold stock goes to, seems to be a trade secret!

Well, enjoy your new MTH PRR MS Phase I box car.

Take care,

Ralph

P.S

I asked Pat about the MTH PRR MS P.I, X-41B, 50' box cars and he said that it's too soon to tell, if he's going to carry them, as they are supposed to come out this Apr.