PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[asciibaron]

You could even get one of Steve's beloved L&HR units and do a number on it...

i have two i can sell you.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For the NCR in 1980?
I think you've got a good start.

The obvious missing piece is a few SD40-2s. But we've talked about that before...

I'd add a GP30 or 35 to that mix. That's my first thought and an easy addition. A Reading paint out would be really hot. I've got one that I can't bring myself to do yet, but it'd be sharp.

A six-axle GE would be good. The C30-7s would be nice, same thing with a U33C. U30Bs would be good too if I remember right too, but those don't exist.

I've always approached it by looking at what trains get what, then adding some "extras".

For example, my PYSE/SEPY needs at least one GE. I've got a U23B, a B23-7 and a C30-7. I think I need another C30-7 or so, but to do it right I'd need a C30-7A using one of Daniels shells.

If you're looking for low HP Geeps, I'd do a pair of paint out 9s, and a 10. Keep in mind that  ex-EL stuff would be a good addition too.

RS3ms are also fun projects that would be right at home for a stint on a local.

I've thought about the D&H situation too and I need to get some power for it. Be careful though, since a lot of the "cool" D&H stuff wasn't dedicated to that service, since everything was supposed to be NEC cab signal equipped. I believe I read somewhere they used a set of (relatively boring) GP38s on it or something like that.

I'd also add some GP40-2s. They were used in TV service but also showed up elsewhere. Beware though, you'll have to do some work to make em look more "CR", since the Atlas model needs a new anticlimber to look the part. BLMA made the part but the mold died a number of years ago so their kinda rare. You also need them for the SD40-2s too, so start hoarding if you find a stash.

B36-7s were also used in that role. The Atlas model is too far off from a CR unit for them to do it, but it'd be good to tackle. Remember, the Ricky Gates wreck involved THREE of them running light from Baltimore back to HBG, so they were definitely in the area.

[John]

The topic is Juniata Division  .. not an opportunity for people to take pot shots at each other .. please stay on topic ..

[Dave V]

Some great info there on road engines!  I've been thinking about a high-hood.

From a fun perspective, I foresee the RDG GP30 paint-out, and a blue CR GP9.  The good news is that CR has an easy paint scheme so I'm not confined to finding one pre-decorated.



The Reading GP30, on the other hand...  I'll have to track one down.

[Bob Bufkin]

Ed, your probably right about the D&H power being GP-38's.  I worked in Crystal City on and off during the mid to late 80's and everytime I passed Pot Yard and spotted a D&H train - GP-38's.

[asciibaron]

the best way to plan the motive power is to find the road assignments for when you are modeling.  find some train order sheets and some pictures on the line and then you can really get down to a realistic approach.  i bought a bunch of units that i had planned to use on my PRR layout until i discovered that they were shifted to Buffalo a year before my time period. 

for Conrail i'm sure there are plenty of sources for locomotive assignments.  what was CR moving on the line in 1980 - the "back way" into Enola surely saw plenty of trail vans.

[asciibaron]

Ed, your probably right about the D&H power being GP-38's.  I worked in Crystal City on and off during the mid to late 80's and everytime I passed Pot Yard and spotted a D&H train - GP-38's.

the D&H trains came down from Sunbury to H'burg and then down the Port Road to the NEC. the D&H got trackage rights to Pot Yard with the creation of CR.  the D&H  units would have been GP38-2's formerly LV units.  when CR was created D&H got the pick of the litter.  

i used to hang out at BWI and watch the D&H/Guilford and the Juice trains - it was a great time to be a kid!

[asciibaron]

You could even get one of Steve's beloved L&HR units and do a number on it...

these didn't stray from Allentown often.  i doubt one would have shown up on the Port Road or at York.

[Bob Bufkin]

Of course, you could have seen something like this running the NC off the corridore:



Notice the 2nd unit.

[Guilford Guy]

Is the RDG loco a GP39-2? Has anyone done those in N yet?

[sizemore]

For the NCR in 1980?
If you're looking for low HP Geeps, I'd do a pair of paint out 9s, and a 10. Keep in mind that  ex-EL stuff would be a good addition too.

I've thought about the D&H situation too and I need to get some power for it. Be careful though, since a lot of the "cool" D&H stuff wasn't dedicated to that service, since everything was supposed to be NEC cab signal equipped. I believe I read somewhere they used a set of (relatively boring) GP38s on it or something like that.

How far back did the D&H through traffic on the NCR go? Assuming they it was as early as '68-'73 what would they have used?

The S. 

[wm3798]

Tim,
The D&H run through didn't start until after the formation of Conrail.  It was one of the features that was thrown in to give CR some "competition".

Guilford Guy,
No one does a GP39-2, but Atlas did do a GP40-2 in the green scheme.

Steve,
The C-424 shot I posted was taken on the NCR Sunbury line across the river from Duncannon.  It's an ex L&HR with D&H stenciling, taken around 1979-80.  It was headed toward Enola, IIRC.

Given the concept has the NCR surviving, the D&H routing would have been Harrisburg-Baltimore via the NC to get it off the corridor for most of the run in Dave's 1980 time frame.  The tricky part would be the maneuver to get from the NCR to the southbound corridor tracks through B&P tunnel.  No direct connection there, and would require a backing maneuver and a run around.

Lee

[asciibaron]

Steve,
The C-424 shot I posted was taken on the NCR Sunbury line across the river from Duncannon.  It's an ex L&HR with D&H stenciling, taken around 1979-80.  It was headed toward Enola, IIRC.

Given the concept has the NCR surviving, the D&H routing would have been Harrisburg-Baltimore via the NC to get it off the corridor for most of the run in Dave's 1980 time frame.  The tricky part would be the maneuver to get from the NCR to the southbound corridor tracks through B&P tunnel.  No direct connection there, and would require a backing maneuver and a run around.

ok, didn't see the D&H stencil on it.  yeah, that was #29 which went to CR and then over to the D&H in 1980.  as a CR unit, it didn't venture far from Allentown, as a D&H unit, it didn't pass Enola.  anything heading down to Pot Yard would have been behind the GP38-2's or the GP39-2's - Amtrak didn't let the Alco's on the NEC.

the reverse move would have been interesting - they would have probably taken the train to Bayview to keep the main clear for the maneuver.   

[sizemore]

The D&H run through didn't start until after the formation of Conrail.  It was one of the features that was thrown in to give CR some "competition".

Lee

You just saved me some money!

The S.

[Dave V]

Ed, those C30-7s are 4 years outside my era...  Rock on, 1980!

I'd love an EL GP35 paint-out, but I don't think they did a lot of work in southeastern PA.

This might be sexy too!