I'd like to assemble a Pennsy passenger train out of readily available models on the market. Maybe you can help me. IHC used at least three Pennsy prototypes for their models, including tail car, duplex sleeper, and RPO. Any other mfgrers out there using PRR proto's for passenger cars?
The IHC 10-6 sleeper is also a PRR prototype. It is a model of one of the ACF built cars. All of these cars are post war except the duplex. It is a model of a prewar 12-5 "Brook" series cars, not the post war 12-4 "Creek" series cars.
All of the Bachmann heavyweights are PRR prototype, no matter what they paint them. The coach is a classic P70. The observsation is, in fact, a PRR Z74 business car. However, not all of the six wheel trucks are a PRR prototype. The PRR used six wheel trucks under the combine, the diner, and some of the business cars, but the trucks were unique to the PRR. Bachman put a correct PRR truck under the cars it paints for the PRR, but puts a Pullman truck under all of the cars painted for other roads.
Eastern Car Works also makes kit versions of the same cars Bachmann does, but for more money and without lights, interiors, or paint. I don't know how long they will survive the competition. They also make accurate kits for the P70FAR and the P70FBR.
The ConCor Budd 10-6 is a California Zephyr car. The PRR had one car in that fleet "Silver Rapids" for which this car is accurate.
Of course, don't foprget the IHC 12-1 heavyweight Pullman. Its correct for Everyone!
If you are willing to assemble kits such as ECW's, you should also consider Bethlehem. They make a beautiful M70b RPO and the classic B60 baggage car.
There also is a Pullman Standard built 10-6 and the Bway postwar "Harbor" midtrain lounge available from American Ltd as laser cut sides from which to build your own. A very difficult job, but yet 2 more otherwise unavailable prototypes.
BTW as far as I can tell, the IHC RPO is a never-never car. It is an amalgum of features the PRR had on several different classes of bag/RPO combines. The roof is a BM70nb, the trucks and windows are from a BM70n. Even the one-of-a-kind "Robert M. Harrigan" had 6 wheel trucks! I am basing this on a very extensive article which dominated an issue of the Keystone about 2 years ago.
And don't forget to get a zillion Walthers Trainline (or the soon to be available Bowser) X29 boxccars painted for "Passenger Service" for your head end!
Note: The Bowser kit was recently withdrawn, however Tichy Train Group has announced plans to sell an X-29, and knowing their quality, it will far surpass anything Bowser or Walthers are likely to produce - B. F. Smith
Andy Miller
asmiller@mitre.org