Questions on MTH Premier N&W Auxiliary Tenders

"Also, what would be the correct aux tender for the Unshrouded J, plain or stripe?  Does it matter? "

None, they didn't have them back in the early forties.

Big Jim posted:

"Also, what would be the correct aux tender for the Unshrouded J, plain or stripe?  Does it matter? "

None, they didn't have them back in the early forties.

So they were never used in the 50s?  G

GGG posted:

Big Jim posted:

"Also, what would be the correct aux tender for the Unshrouded J, plain or stripe?  Does it matter? "

None, they didn't have them back in the early forties.

So they were never used in the 50s?  G

Don't believe that there were any "unshrouded J class" in the 1950s. Besides, the J Class locomotives didn't use auxiliary tends (canteen in N&W terms) in passenger service, back in the day anyway.

GGG posted:

Big Jim posted:

"Also, what would be the correct aux tender for the Unshrouded J, plain or stripe?  Does it matter? "

None, they didn't have them back in the early forties.

So they were never used in the 50s?  G

The J1's (unstreamlined) were all streamlined and reclassified "J" by the end of 1945.

I have the 20-3046 tender and it has a PS1 coupler and light bulb to go with the original PS1 Class A.  You are correct in that it did not come with the tether as the Class A already had it installed in the main tender from the factory.  The earlier two aux tenders for the PS1 J and the PS1 Y6b came with the engine tether since they were not factory installed when the engines were produced.  If I remember correctly, when I converted my PS1 J aux tender to work with my PS2 J (coupler and light bulb swap for PS2 counterparts), I also had to switch around the wires on the aux tender plug receptacle as the pin-out did not match the tether from the PS2 tender.  Since MTH released the J tender again for PS3, I have since acquired one of those (the color of the stripes match the PS2 version perfectly whereas the PS1 tender does not) and I plan to swap the LED for a PS2 light bulb since PS2 will not drive an LED without a resistor.  The older PS1 J tender will be painted black to be used with other engines.

I know Big Jim and Hot Water answered the second part of your question about the unstreamlined J and aux tenders but I thought I would give my thought.  I know it is not prototypical but I actually had a discussion with a friend of mine not too long ago about this and we both thought it would look good if a black N&W aux tender were run behind one of the unstreamlined J locomotives.  I've actually considered doing this myself after that conversation though I would have to buy an unstreamlined J first to make it a reality.  It falls into that category of "It's your railroad.  Do what you want whether it's prototypical or not."

I'm of a similiar opinion.  While not prototypical, I liked the look.  Note that there are not-so-subtle differences in the Norfolk and Western paint colors of the lettering between versions of the MTH tenders.  I have two without stripes.  One matches the 1997(ish) first Y6b.  It seems more "gold".  The 1218A seems to have more yellow.  My 605 unshrouded matches the 1218 better.  Sorry, I don't have the part numbers of the 1218 and 605 handy.  But I do think that the 20-3046 matches best.

Guys, thanks for all the help.  Bill, your info is very helpful.  It made sense the 3046 should go with the PS-1 Class A since the Class A was the only engine out in that time frame, but since it was 2000 it was also the transition period for PS-2 5V.  Mine is used and has the PS-2 coupler (which will work with PS-1)  So I will have to open and check the bulb since it may have been converted to work with PS-2.

I have the original PR PS-1 J with Stripe aux tender which I bought new and added the tether to the tender.  I picked up a Y6b at York with the 3027 plain tender, but used no aux tender box and the y6b tender tether was not added.   So I picked up another new 3027 tender anticipating using it for the unshrouded J and using the tether kit to convert the Y6b.  Yes the 3046 lettering is a brighter color and different print, compared to the others.  G

You're welcome.  I would suggest also checking the aux tender wiring to make sure it matches the wires from the PS2 aux tender tether since we don't know if they modified that or just swapped components on your tender.

I have a " J" aux. tender with the stripe, new still in it's box, that must be in a mis-printed box. The number on the box is 20-3126, which there is no such number on the MTH website.  So it must be a 20-3026. Unless maybe the 20-3126 is equipped with a proto 2 coupler.

Dave,

My PS1 J tender with the stripe is the same way.  It's really 20-3026.  The printing is wrong on the box.

Thanks Bill

You're welcome.