I don't mean to be repetitive, but you apparently are interested in the former Pennsylvania Railroad. You know enough about that railroad to have an interest in a secondary main line and motive power. But you are not a member of the historical society that supports the Pennsy.
There are good reasons to belong to your favorite railroad's historical and/or technical society. Here's why I belong to mine, the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Technical Society:
First, the annual convention. I spend about $1000 each year, to travel to the location, attend the convention, and go on field trips in that area related to Santa Fe. But I could do it for less. The basic convention (2 days) is only $200, which includes two full days of clinics on ATSF, and the hotel is full of others with my interests, some of whom are real experts on specialized Santa Fe topics and territories. I learn a lot in conversations with them. I stay at the official convention hotel, but that is not a requirement. I have stayed with friends or relatives, or at other hotels at times, to save cost. I could attend a convention 500 miles from home for $500 or less, including driving and staying at a less expensive hotel for 2 nights. There are smaller, regional, one-day mini-meets in California or Arizona, Kansas City, Indiana, and somewhere in the northeast.
Second, the website and publications. The ATSF group has a wealth of information on the website, a way to contact other members, a message board, a quarterly magazine, and numerous books on Santa Fe equipment and operations.
Membership is $60 annually, well spent in my opinion.
So let me encourage you to consider joining the Pennsy historical organization. As a member, even if you do not attend the convention, you could send a letter to their publication, use their member section of their website, and become acquainted with others who may have the knowledge you seek. Plus, you would receive the publications and become part of the Pennsylvania Railroad knowledge base that exists within these groups. A guy like you, with interest beyond the electrified lines, would seem to be a natural for the organization, especially with the knowledge that you already have about the secondary line that interests you.
Just a thought.
