Sunset "More Power to America" PA demonstrators

I will take a set of Cotton Belt posted above. 300 & 301 w/ silver roofs & Truck frames and yellow handrails. Never been done. I want a set 

Blue Streak posted:

I will take a set of Cotton Belt posted above. 300 & 301 w/ silver roofs & Truck frames and yellow handrails. Never been done. I want a set 

Me too!  Should the trucks be silver?  All the photos I have seen show black trucks.  I know the roofs were painted silver early on, a striking difference from the SP black roof.

 I find myself a bit excited about the possibility of a Sunset/3rd Rail version of the PA in UP.  Here is a quick summary of some interesting details and changes over time for the benefit of any UP fans depending on the era they model.

 The following is based on what I’ve gathered from written and photo research of Union Pacific Historical Society information (A wonderful resource). I don't have the exact dates for every change.

9/1947 First batch delivery numbering (for relatively few months) and early 1948 renumbering:

 PAs:

994A - 997A became 600 - 603

PBs:

998B & 999B became 600B & 602B

1/1949 Delivery

 PAs:

604 - 607

 PBs:

604B - 607B 

PA/PBs were delivered with:

- PAs had Large angled number boards on the corners of the cab nose.

- Paint scheme from roof and sides wrapped around the blunt ends in gray/red/yellow straight bands

- Trucks were painted gray

- All had two horns in service. First batch delivered with one horn but second horn immediately added for service 

1951-53 one-offs

- Only three units: 601, 600B, and 606 received new style air grills on the upper sides similar to PA-3s or Farr type grill on EMD units.

Mid/Late 50’s PA/PB modifications

- External after-cooler pipes for the air compressors (“Radiation Piping” two long exterior pipes) added right side of roof

- Trucks were painted Silver

- Front pilot coupler doors removed on some units

1960+

- Grab Irons added to right side nose on all cab units

- Numbers in “reflective” paint

- Steel bolt on nose-wing-herald replaced with reflective decal

- Blunt ends painted in all gray instead of the gray/red/yellow wrap around band

- “UNION PACIFIC” began being added to the nose on each side of headlamp on cab units

11/1963

- 605 was the only A unit to receive the experimental “bull-dog” heavy duty pilot (remained on until scrapping)

Early train number assignments (mainly secondary) ran in A-B-A or mixed with FM B units:

- 1 & 2 Los Angeles Limited

- 3 & 4 Utahn

- 37 & 38 Pony Express

- City of St. Louis (the only Alco through “City Train” Assignment because it was strictly Kansas City and westward.  The other "City" trains were joint with CNW and EMD units were used).

Later Assignments:

- Often ran in A-B or just A units

- Many trains out of Kansas 69 & 70

- 39 & 40 Kansan

- In 1954 the Pony Express replaced by Portland rose

Mine is just one opinion of course, but I would be delighted to see:

As Delivered 1948 to early 50's appearance with the following units available among the numbers offered:

PAs:

607 with pilot coupler doors

and 604

PB:

605B

- Paint scheme from roof and sides wrapped around the blunt ends in gray/red/yellow straight bands

- Trucks painted gray

- Front coupler doors

- I can live with or without the roof after-cooler piping

If this becomes a reality I will have to order it in 3-rail and make an additional reservation order for a GGD Harriman 6 car set in 3-Rail wearing the later UP yellow scheme.   I could then run a 607 and 605B led Kansan. Modeled to match existing photos. 

If that doesn't happen I'm sure I could figure out how to re-number and modify what is actually offered.

Many of the research photos show the Union Pacific PA’s pulling Harriman cars in both TTG and Yellow colors mixed in one train. (One example was of the Los Angeles Limited). 

Also many photos show them pulling trains of all yellow Harrimans (interesting side note: some 1955 photos showed the yellow Harriman cars appearing to have black trucks maybe dark gray? Utahrails.net research indcates passenger trucks not ordered painted aluminium until 1958.)

I’ve already reserved a 2-Rail 6-car set + 2 coaches of the GGD Harrimans in TTG for my 2-Rail 4-6-2 project (1946-1952) Kansan (train 39 & 40).

I think it would be nice to also have a later PA-PB led yellow Harriman car (1949-1955) Kansan (train 39 & 40) in 3-Rail.... 

Just my 2 cents anyway......

Modelers of late Fifties into the Sixties era might want the silver painted trucks instead. They're a bit out of my era but do look nice.

(Photo Reference Source listed: The Streamliner Vol 8 No 3 Pg 24 UPHS) Almost entire issue dedicated to Alco PA.

That oughta drive the price up pretty good.

bob2 posted:

That oughta drive the price up pretty good.

...sell more Harriman sets too!

Hope to see ATSF PA units with stainless plated sides. Take my money. 

Die cast, then plated!  Best way . . .

Any updates on the PA project?

One of my favorite diesels. 

Santiago - did Scott ever commit to a black & gold D&RG?  I have Lionel's model and it is quite handsome.

I've ordered the D&H from an online dealer. I used to have the beautiful R.O.W. model that was produced in brass back in the 1990s. It has an unusual finish in that the trucks & pilots were painted silver while the cab had a 'burnished' finish that looked quite good. They featured an amazing amount of detail and extra lighting for a 3 Rail locomotive at their time. I'll post a photo from my other computer when I can...

Sam, sadly there were not enough reservations. Hopefully there will be a second run, and if it doesn't make it then, I'll have to paint them myself. I really want them. 

Where do you live if I may ask?  Your profile says 'LA' - is that Los Angeles or Louisiana?

You ma. I live in Colombia, but I went to LSU for grad school. I'm actually going to NY this summer to pick up items and to ship some that I sold. 

I grew up in New Orleans and finished at LSU New Orleans some years ago.  Was born in the Brooklyn Naval Hospital during WW2 however...

Sweet! I love NOLA and LSU. Had a great time there.

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Sam, sadly there were not enough reservations. Hopefully there will be a second run, and if it doesn't make it then, I'll have to paint them myself. I really want them. 

There are not currently sufficient reservations.  HOWEVER,  additional reservations will still be taken.  If they reach the magic number before reservations are closed they can be added back into the mix.  The magic number is 20 units, which is 6 ABA sets plus 2 others or some other combination of As and Bs.  Last I recall, several months ago, there less than 5 reserved which is why they are not currently in the mix. 

I know its a stretch, but any chance of the trademark recessed bell on that NKP versions?

Earl

Conductor Earl posted:

I know its a stretch, but any chance of the trademark recessed bell on that NKP versions?

 

Earl

Probably not, as they were not delivered that way. The NKP did that themselves, later on.

PhilJ posted:

I am in for a set in 3 rail, please.  I would prefer the B unit powered, but either way is OK. 

 I'll be looking forward to updates when available!  I never thought I'd ever have a chance to own these - they're the

Best New Year's present yet.  Thank You in advance

I have been unable to contact you to confirm this reservation.  If you are still interested please cinfirm or the set may not be available.

OK, I'm not solid on who still wants these from me and who does not.  A couple of folks who expressed interest later reserved them from Scott and one person has seemingly disappeared.  Please PM me if you are still interested.  Scott is preparing to sell his remaining Demos on his website.

Thanks and sorry for the confusion. 

Hi Folks:

Here's a list of PA/PBs that we think are not spoken for. The list will be updated each time one is purchased until we are sold out. You can find the updated list at:  http://www.3rdrail.com/Diesel-SuperSale.html
2 - 2R PA ERIE LACKAWANNA
2 - 3R PA Erie (Dark Green - Yellow Stripe)
2 - 2R PA NH Orange
1 - 3R NH Green
3 - 2R PA SFWB
1 - 2R & 3R  PA/PB DEMO SET

Note: Some conversions may be possible. But this requires a like model to convert with, i.e. some have silver painted frames and trucks, others have single or dual headlights making the conversion process very difficult if we don't have reciprocal models. Email me your requests. Calling will only delay your answers.

Scott Mann

Picked up my UP, A-B set today.  Was going to wait till after work to open but I couldn't resist taking a peak. 

The excitement:

Superb models. Excellent crisp details. The additional two rail pilot looks great and should be easy to install. I'm excited to get them on the test track tonight.  3rd rail did a really nice job.

The compromise:

Coming in at a reasonable cost Point requires compromises. I figured I'd have to address the top mounted windshield wipers and the headlamps. PAs on the Union Pacific all had bottom mounted windshield wipers (I know, I know that's really nitpicking). The roof exhaust is aligned longitudinally which is correct for 600 through 603. 604 through 607 were delivered with the transversely aligned exhaust that that came with engine modifications for later models. I knew that would be a 50/50 toss-up and I can live with it.  Dual headlamps top and bottom on the nose are representative of late in service life. Again I had anticipated that might be the case knowing I would have to modify to single lamp in each. Hopefully not glued in too hard. Overall, No surprises here when you're dealing with a model that had so many variations and a manufacturer doing their best to please many different Road name fans. I'm very pleased. I would like to thank Scott and crew for delivering such a fine product.

The disappointment:

I was really expecting after emails with Scott and Jonathan that the trucks would be 1948-1955 gray. This would match the GGD Harrimans I have. As the PAs spent much of thier time in the Kansas division pulling such cars. But....  They are 1955+ silver.  Can't seem to escape that crowd. Clearly I'm in the market minority.  I'll likely have to paint the pilots and everything below the belt line too as I'm  sure it will be impossible to get a good match otherwise.  Maybe I'll email Scott for parts and paint recommendations.

I'll try to get some good pics up tonight for UP fanatics.

The surprise:

For a 3 rail scale model I'm very impressed with the detail on the trucks,  the locomotive ride height over the trucks, and the inconspicuous appearance of the 3 rail wheels. You really have to be looking close to tell. Awesome job guys!

A few pics. Better ones to come.

Very clever design of front coupler. Super easy to remove 3R claw and pilot. Thank you 3rd Rail!  One plug, 2 screws in coupler, 2 on the pilot. Removing and installing 2R pilot takes about 30 seconds. Importantly, it can be reversed if desired.

Thanks for sharing! 

Nice 

Well since the O.P.'s title was talking about the Demonstrator model and I don't see any pics posted here, Then here are some pics of my

A-unit delivered yesterday. The B-unit hopefully will be delivered today. My apologies for those that are "offended" by My Lobster Claw Couplers.

Now that you mention it, they do look incongruous on a scale model.  But I am not offended.  They make you happy with those things hanging out.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Well since the O.P.'s title was talking about the Demonstrator model and I don't see any pics posted here, Then here are some pics of my

A-unit delivered yesterday. The B-unit hopefully will be delivered today. My apologies for those that are "offended" by My Lobster Claw Couplers.

BTW, IDK if anyone noticed but MTH for 2019 is taking orders for TWO 4 car Coach sets for this train plus a Two pack- Sleeper/ Diner [Which the train never had]