Our group of modelers who participate in shared virtual ops through our blogs have recently been discussing the 50th anniversary of the inclusion of the New Haven Railroad into the Penn Central system. John R. provided some nice historic background in: This post
Since then we've decided to show New Haven influences on our layouts.
Despite the mostly negative impact the addition of the NH had on the Penn Central's fortunes it did provide railfans with an even greater variety of motive power and rolling stock to enjoy.
While you may get to see some good looking McGinnis schemed power on some of the other layouts the Kings Port Division has limited evidence of the ill fated merger with the NH. That said I'll post what I've got!
A short passenger train with NH black and orange vestibule heavy weight coaches pulled by an FP7 is seen leaving West Mill. The coaches are Rivarossi models I purchased as a 15 year old in the 70's! While I don't run passenger operations often its fun to pull these coaches out of the box and give them a spin around the layout.
One of the more interesting locomotives that joined the Penn Central power roster after the inclusion of the NH was the FL9. A unique loco that was designed to run as a diesel but also could pick up third rail electrical power, it had the unusual wheel arrangement of a two axle truck in the front and a three axle truck in the back. These versatile locomotives were often seen on the Hudson and Harlem Lines, and Danbury Branch.
Shortly after the merger FL9s on the PC system still wore their McGinnis colors
http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/pc5006.jpg
Some were later painted standard PC "dipped black"
http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/pc5024cpm.jpg
The Metro Transit Authority later required a higher visibility scheme prompting this distinctive blue and yellow PC livery.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/conrailman/9610948615
It seems the yellow paint faded to white fairly quickly on many units creating this look:
http://pc.smellycat.com/pics/equip/flnh.jpg
A few years ago for the fun of it I bashed a dummy FL9 out of two Athearn blue box F7A shells and a GP9 chassis. I added two and three axle trucks to represent the FL9's unique wheel arrangement. Not having the yellow PC logo decals I opted to create the weather-worn white and blue scheme. My model was inspired by a photo of a unit that wore the thin white stripe along the roof line but John R. recently told me that the roofs were sometimes painted all yellow or all blue. Leave it to the Penn Central to have several variations of a single locomotive livery!
Here's my model of a former NH FL9 performing passenger service on the Kings Port Division.
One New Haven effect I can easily model is to convey the idea of increased traffic along the River Line (my inspiration for the Kings Port Division) as, according to an article in the PC Post John R. alerted me to, "Soon after the merger PC re-routed traffic away from Bay Ridge, New York to Greenville, New Jersey Carfloats (PRR interchange) to the former NYC Boston and Albany line across Massecusettes and then the River Line (NYC West Shore) to Northern New Jersey"
OK, lets show that re-routed traffic! The Kings Port Railfan Society is on time and in the right place for once to observe this action!
A U33C/ GP30 lash up pulls a train across Ulster Ave.
Long trains roll by in both directions. The second one sports two GP40s and a GP30.
Here is a short video of this freight train action.
Not affiliated with the New Haven the guys still have to take a picture of this fine looking Empire Belt Auto Parts car seen for the first time on the Kings Port Division.
On the local front, one NH covered hopper is spotted at Booms Ready Mix.
That's pretty much it for Hew Haven influences on the KPD! Thanks for taking a look and check out posts from these guys!
John R.'s N.Y.C.T.L.
Neal's Blog
John B.'s blog
Brian's Blog
Nice Job Ralph!!!! Those HW NH coaches may have actually still been in service at the time of the NH being merged into the PC!😊 Great to see the FL9 and hear that Hancock Air Whistle. The River Line thru the Kings Port Division had the rails burnished bright with all that new rerouted traffic. Thanks for the E.B.R.R. 60' boxcar cameo shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks John! The E.B.R.r. car is very eye catching!
DeleteFor someone who isn't that much of a New Haven modeler, you have certainly shown us quite a lot of equipment! I like the look of the PC FL9 engine. There's always a lot of train action on your layout. Nice tribute!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Neal!
DeleteNice looking NH and PC action on the K.P.D.!!! Your kit bashed FL-9 looks really sharp and the new EBRR auto parts boxcar is an eye catcher as well. Enjoyed all of the passenger and freight traffic. The unique Hancock whistle was a nice touch in the videos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian!
DeleteThe Varnish looked great! I especially liked the heavyweights. I did not know the FL9 was a 'hybrid'. Good looking engine. Maybe some passenger ops in the future?....Glad to see the K.P.R.S. actually got some good shots! I just hope they remembered the FILM!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Uh....film?....Oh oh! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!
Delete