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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 31, 2016 19:02:47 GMT -8
This talk of a Pennsy P5a has got me thinkin' (perhaps that's too strong a word?). I like electrics. I've got a couple. I would have more, except for my totally irrational need for overhead wires of which the can be under. That said, I thought it might be a fine waste of time to yak about the best/favorite electrics. I group them into three classes: 1. The Squarepants. That would be the big boxcabs--probably the most common type in the US. As I've said, my fave is the GN/PRR Y-1. And. As I said, I've got room in my heart for the PRR P5a. And, to tell you the truth, I like the New Haven ones and especially those Milwaukee fellas:  2. The Jackshafts. My fave, at the moment, is the Virginian one:  Is that not a bwute!!! But I also like the PRR DD1:  3. The Streamline. I guess I'm the only guy in the world who doesn't drool over the GG1. What can I say? Anyway, sticking to the GN theme:  Ya know, the guy above is even bigger than it looks. Humongous!!!. But only two. I also fancy this one:  Of special import is that I can't come up with any US electrics made after, oh, 1970 that I would care to spend $20 on for a model. With or without wires. Oh, maybe the Acela train. I DO like it. Especially in First Class. Ed |
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Post by GP40P-2 on Dec 31, 2016 19:13:19 GMT -8
Little Joe electrics are pretty cool, especially ones of the Brazilian FEPASA. A GG-1 I guess is an acquired taste.
In addition to not doing electrics, I also don't do modern, but for some reason I kind of like the new ACS-64 units, and might obtain one if Kato did it. And I have to appreciate the dependable reliability that the AEM-7 gave unceremoniously for so many years.
Jim
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Post by ambluco on Dec 31, 2016 20:33:27 GMT -8
That New Haven is being done by Rapido.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2016 21:05:09 GMT -8
In my opinion, the New Haven only exists as a reason to model New England in the fall. I think that their steam engine script is ugly, and anything that isn't McGinnis theme isn't worth having. And I'm trying really hard to come up with a reason to get one if those EP-5 Jets. They're just beautiful.
I'm pretty happy with the current crop of GG1s, AEM7's, and looking forward to the ACS-64. I'm not interested in anything pre-GG1 or off the north east corridor.
Bachmann/Bowser/concor take care of the trolley market well enough.
Maybe if, 20 years ago, a company had committed to a roster of engines for an electric powered railroad I'd be singing a different tune but I decided years ago that I wasn't going to model a railroad that's impossible to get motive power for.
-------------
On a more important note, did NYC have a ball this year and I missed it, or did they just have the countdown on the big screen?
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 31, 2016 21:07:54 GMT -8
There's a piece of me that likes model electric locomotives because they are so honest. They REALLY ARE ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES.
FWIW. My electrics are an Acela train, 'cause my sweetie and I have ridden it a few times and enjoyed it. And a couple of the Bachmann Virginian rectifier electrics, 'cause I thought they were pretty cool when Athearn made their stubby versions.
Ed
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 31, 2016 21:13:11 GMT -8
On a more important note, did NYC have a ball this year and I missed it, or did they just have the countdown on the big screen? OMJ, I hope not. Being as I'm approaching elderly, I'm not that much interested in staying up 'til midnight to watch some doo-waa on TV. Although Anderson and Kathy can be pretty amusing. Still. There ARE traditions. Speakin' o' the Jets. The electric ones, that is. I must confess that I am hugely affected by the fact that Lionel did them back when I was tinplate-ish. Hey. I was this close to getting a BLI 6-8-6 for the same reason. Ed |
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Post by bdhicks on Dec 31, 2016 23:53:15 GMT -8
I'm more of a modern modeler, and I like switching, so I am occasionally tempted by the Iowa Traction steeplecabs.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Jan 1, 2017 6:27:42 GMT -8
Ed, You forgot one! The twin draw bar coupled Virginian GE EL-2B.....reminds you little of the lines of the Great Northern W-1  The GN W-1 has other uses too!!!! More Union Pacific turbines!!!!!  |
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Post by nw611 on Jan 1, 2017 9:43:16 GMT -8
If you like electrics, go European and start with a Swiss Crocodile. Ciao. RG
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Post by talltim on Jan 1, 2017 11:04:58 GMT -8
They are best when they sound like this
(normally they just go up through the scales as the AC frequency is adjusted, but this one is also slipping)
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 1, 2017 12:11:02 GMT -8
They are best when they sound like this (normally they just go up through the scales as the AC frequency is adjusted, but this one is also slipping) THAT is too weird! I can't decide if I like it a lot or hate it a lot (the sound). Ed |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jan 1, 2017 13:20:12 GMT -8
I am a juice jack fan. I have more than a couple: a pair of EP-1's, EP-2, EP-3, EP-5, EF-1, EF-2, a pair of EF-4's, and an EY-2. I even have a piece of the NH's triangle catenary and a GG-1 (gasp!). Maybe it is part of being a NH fan, but I find electrics attractive all the same. Something about their brutish power and either their utilitarian boxy design or streamlined style. And they are all rather unique. Only a few electrics served more than one road (GG-1, EF-4, AEM-7...and what else?), so models tend to be only in brass and few modelers have them. Here's a link to a mostly complete roster of the NH's electric fleet: www.northeast.railfan.net/electric11.htmlEd, The lack of catenary can be a problem, but it's not always required. Please note that the EP-5 is running without catenary in your picture. Whenever I run my NH EP's at the club (we have no catenary), someone is bound to ask me where the wire is. I reply that my EP's are running on 3rd rail (which we don't have, either). The usual next statement from them is, "Where's the 3rd rail?" I just calmly reply, "It's right there. Can't you see it?", as if they are poor souls that just have bad eyesight. That usually breaks them up laughing, and then they leave me alone to run my train in peace.  BTW, I agree that the Acela is a great train to ride. ambluco, Yep. We at the NHRHTA are helping Rapido with the EP-5. We are still in the "gathering information" stage of development, with the model due out in 2018 (we hope). Everybody should order one...or two! greenwizard88, Well, I think we have more going for us than just Fall colors.  High density mainline with hourly name trains, hilly freight mainline w/ pushers, lonely branchlines through the valleys, heavy commuter service, long runs to tourist traps at the beaches, tugboats & car floats, etc. You name it, the NH probably had it. And our steam engine script logo is ugly?  Blasphemy! Good thing it was only on the 10 I-5's and a couple I-4's, then. The rest of the steam fleet had block "NEW HAVEN" or "NYNH&H" or nothing at all...depending on the era. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 1, 2017 13:38:22 GMT -8
Paul,
I did not know the EP-5's were also 3rd rail. After the fact, it' kinda obvious, though.
Ed
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Post by rails4dmv on Jan 1, 2017 14:53:22 GMT -8
My top electrics would have to be:
1) LIRR/MNRR Metropolitan MU cars - Hope to these in plastic RTR one day
2) New York Central/Penn Central P2
3) NH/PC EP-5 - Rapido ought to do a bang up job on these
4) NH MU Washboards - Another model I hope to see in plastic RTR someday
5) Metroliners
6) NJ Transit Arrow MU cars
7) Erie Lackawanna MU cars
8) AEM-7/ALP-44
9) Acela
10)ACS-64
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Post by BEDT26 on Jan 1, 2017 17:38:52 GMT -8
I love juice = electrics
On electric locomotives.
1)PRR- GG1,E44
2)NH - EP2,EP3,EP4,EF3B,EP5,E33
3)NYC - P1a,P2b,R-2,S2,T1,T2,T3
4)Amtrak - E60,AEM7,HHP8
5)B&M Hoosac tunnel motor
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jan 1, 2017 18:13:29 GMT -8
Ed,
Yep, all the NH EP-class engines were 3rd rail shoe equipped to run into GCT on NYC's under-running type of 3rd rail. They could even be lowered onto the PRR's over-running 3rd rail, too...in an emergency. Even a few EF-1 motors were 3rd rail equipped for a short period of time (at least until the EP-2's arrived).
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 1, 2017 18:48:45 GMT -8
Curiously similar:   Judging from the window count, B&M's scenery must have been more interesting. Ed |
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Post by ambluco on Jan 1, 2017 18:55:22 GMT -8
B&M electrics were essentially New Haven EF-1s.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jan 2, 2017 1:10:24 GMT -8
Ed,
Well, one could say that most boxcabs look similar. The tapered ends, roof overhang, built-up frame chassis, etc. Still, these are very different machines. 3-phase AC vs. 1-phase AC, and isn't that GN motor a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement? The B&M one is a 1-B+B-1.
ambluco,
Actually, the B&M electrics are based on NH experimental electric #071, which was a predecessor to the EF-1. The main difference was that the 071 was 150 tons, which was a bit too heavy for the NH due to bridge weight restrictions, specifically the Park Ave. Viaduct in NYC. In 1942, NH experimental 071 and the lighter (124 tons) but otherwise similar 072 were sold to the B&M for WWII traffic.
The difference between the B&M motors and the NH EF-1's was that the EF-1's had twin electric motors per axle and only tipped the scales at ~110 tons. The B&M motors had a single, larger motor per axle and were around 150 tons like the 071. The reason the NH chose twin motors was that they could be spun faster, increasing their tractive effort at low speed (but reducing top speed) while having the same number of moving parts as a single large motor. They were lighter and cheaper to build, too. The B&M, not having the weight restrictions the NH did, used the bigger motors that had a total of about 100 Hp more for the loco. The NH EF-1's were really drag freight engines anyways, and didn't need to go very fast.
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Post by talltim on Jan 2, 2017 2:09:45 GMT -8
These are pretty neat (as in neat and tidy)  |
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Post by nw611 on Jan 2, 2017 7:37:10 GMT -8
These are pretty neat (as in neat and tidy) These SBB 922 are made by HAG in H0, also in the BLS paint scheme. Ciao. RG |
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Post by jaygee on Jan 2, 2017 8:18:26 GMT -8
We need one of everything New Haven...including Washboards ! Let the juice flow !
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 2, 2017 8:46:26 GMT -8
Ed, Well, one could say that most boxcabs look similar. The tapered ends, roof overhang, built-up frame chassis, etc. Still, these are very different machines. 3-phase AC vs. 1-phase AC, and isn't that GN motor a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement? The B&M one is a 1-B+B-1. Yes, the GN is a 1-D-1. For the B&M, the extra spacing between the axles is now explained--I was wondering. 3-phase AC? ?? Ed |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Jan 2, 2017 8:52:54 GMT -8
Ed, Well, one could say that most boxcabs look similar. The tapered ends, roof overhang, built-up frame chassis, etc. Still, these are very different machines. 3-phase AC vs. 1-phase AC, and isn't that GN motor a 1-D-1 wheel arrangement? The B&M one is a 1-B+B-1. Yes, the GN is a 1-D-1. For the B&M, the extra spacing between the axles is now explained--I was wondering. 3-phase AC? ?? Ed The W-1's were B-D+D-B = 12 traction motors |
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Jan 2, 2017 9:10:17 GMT -8
Great Northern Z-1 was a 1-D-1 - none received Empire Builder Omaha Orange & Pullman Green Y-1 class was a 1-C+C-1 - All received Empire Builder Omaha Orange & Pullman Green  Y-1a class was a Y-1 which was wrecked and rebuilt with two EMD FT cabs on the ends. Painted in the EB scheme.  W-1 (the monster) was B-D+D-B  |
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Jan 2, 2017 9:46:28 GMT -8
jaygee,
I'll drink to that!
Ed,
Whoops! Sorry, I guess I looked at the wrong thing. The original GN Cascade Tunnel electrification was 3-phase, but was later converted to 1-phase like the NH, PRR, and B&M. My bad.
The advantages of the articulated frame was that it helped the trailing truck steer into curves, and was thus easier on track. And as the PRR found out, a solid rigid center truck tends to make the loco "hunt" when traveling at high speed.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jan 2, 2017 10:37:55 GMT -8
I know about the earlier GN 3-phase setup. I thought maybe B&M had some mysterious (to me) version. Re: the GN. The GNRHS published a reference sheet on the three-phase locomotives (#18). There were 4, built in 1907, GN 5000-5003. Each was 1500 HP (1900 HP for one hour). Overhead was 6000 Volts, 25 CPS (Hertz, to you whipper-snappers). The system lasted until about 1927. A photo:  Notice the two trolley poles contacting the overhead. To do 3-phase, you've gotta have two overhead wires. As to why they went with trolley poles: "...the Railway's request to space the catenary in the tunnel eight feet apart rather than the five feet employed over the yard trackage...Great Northern desired that 'there should be no construction in the roof of the tunnel which could possibly interfere with a brakeman's walking on top of a freight car'." How's THAT for thoughtfulness, eh? Ed |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2017 11:30:35 GMT -8
I know about the earlier GN 3-phase setup. I thought maybe B&M had some mysterious (to me) version. Re: the GN. The GNRHS published a reference sheet on the three-phase locomotives (#18). There were 4, built in 1907, GN 5000-5003. Each was 1500 HP (1900 HP for one hour). Overhead was 6000 Volts, 25 CPS (Hertz, to you whipper-snappers). The system lasted until about 1927. Notice the two trolley poles contacting the overhead. To do 3-phase, you've gotta have two overhead wires. As to why they went with trolley poles: "...the Railway's request to space the catenary in the tunnel eight feet apart rather than the five feet employed over the yard trackage...Great Northern desired that 'there should be no construction in the roof of the tunnel which could possibly interfere with a brakeman's walking on top of a freight car'." How's THAT for thoughtfulness, eh? Ed Two overhead wires? What could go wrong? They could have used 3rd & 4th-rail : ) |
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Post by talltim on Jan 3, 2017 7:51:39 GMT -8
3 phase narrow gauge rack  Can't beat a varnished wood boxcab  Or a bit of raw power  |
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Post by roadkill on Jan 4, 2017 16:22:24 GMT -8
As a native Clevelander I'm very partial to these:  |
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High density mainline with hourly name trains, hilly freight mainline w/ pushers, lonely branchlines through the valleys, heavy commuter service, long runs to tourist traps at the beaches, tugboats & car floats, etc. You name it, the NH probably had it. And our steam engine script logo is ugly? 
