Pantograph for MTL PRR mow set

[jargonlet]

I recently got one of the MTL PRR mow sets. The one with cars to work on the catenary. The pantograph printing on mine seems to have a section missing from it. I thought about about calling mtl about it but then started wondering if other options would work. The kato one from the gg1 is long out of stock but the bachmann one is available.  Would this be the proper type for the baggage/rpo in this set or is there something else out there that would be better? The mountings for the bachmann look like they are part of the shell so I would have to figure that one out.

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_815_701&products_id=10683

[Lemosteam]

I am planning on using the Bachmann as it can be locked in the stored position. i may also power the combine, still not sure.

[robertjohndavis]

I am planning on using the Bachmann as it can be locked in the stored position. i may also power the combine, still not sure.

John,

It’s my understanding (which may be wrong, it’s happened before ) is that the car MT represented was a rider car/tool car and not self-powered. The self-powered wire train cars were gas-electric converts.

Even though the model strays from the real PRR 495204, it’s still pretty neat.

On the day of the image below it was being pushed by an EMD switcher.





Rob

[nkalanaga]

Most "wire trains" had a pantograph-equipped car, not self-propelled, simply to short-circuit the system.  The idea was to turn off the power, raise the pan, and go to work.  If someone, or something, accidentally energized the wire, the short would blow the breaker, hopefully before the workers were electrocuted.

In the Milwaukee's case, they used the same pans as the motors, to I'd say a GG-1 version would be fine.  If anyone complains, tell them you'd be happy to have a more accurate one, if they can find one!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Most "wire trains" had a pantograph-equipped car, not self-propelled, simply to short-circuit the system.  The idea was to turn off the power, raise the pan, and go to work.  If someone, or something, accidentally energized the wire, the short would blow the breaker, hopefully before the workers were electrocuted.

In the Milwaukee's case, they used the same pans as the motors, to I'd say a GG-1 version would be fine.  If anyone complains, tell them you'd be happy to have a more accurate one, if they can find one!

Bingo! These cars were not propelled, the pan was there for just this reason: to shunt the circuit "just in case".

[sd45elect2000]

Induction is as big of a danger to linemen. Always ground/ short it.

[robertjohndavis]

Bingo! These cars were not propelled, the pan was there for just this reason: to shunt the circuit "just in case".

It would be cool to model one of the two (I think, two) self-propelled cars that the PRR converted from
gas-electrics. Different looking beasts but pretty neat.

- Rob

[jargonlet]

So to address the differences in the between the proto photos and the model, it seems to me that it wouldn’t be that hard to cut out part of the clerestory roof and replace it with a flat piece of styrene and one of the bachmann pantographs. I think I may do that with mine.

[Lemosteam]

@jargonlet, aye- note the short section of clerestory just behind the panto in the pic.

It really surprises me that the PRR didn't go get MP54's from the LIRR so they could avoid using a locomotive.  The refitted combine is reminiscent of them.



@robertjohndavis , do you have any literature that this was actually a converted PRR PB70?  This image looks like the cargo door is in the right spot and the panel count is correct:



Would be easy to kitbash this exact car from a Lima combine like my PB70 in the center of this image with some MT PRR diner trucks, plated over passenger windows, and a 3d printed roof:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It really surprises me that the PRR didn't go get MP54's from the LIRR so they could avoid using a locomotive.  The refitted combine is reminiscent of them.

Not really. Remember, that was all done before reliable radio communication. So if your line car relies on overhead power to move you might have an awfully spicy time trying to coordinate when the juice was off to work on and back on to move (especially if you only have to go like 500' to the next tower).

[robertjohndavis]

Not really. Remember, that was all done before reliable radio communication. So if your line car relies on overhead power to move you might have an awfully spicy time trying to coordinate when the juice was off to work on and back on to move (especially if you only have to go like 500' to the next tower).

I would guess the PRR knew pretty early about the MP54 rot.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I would guess the PRR knew pretty early about the MP54 rot.

Lol, good enough for commuters but "we're not putting our people in these things".