I picked this one up recently for an unusually low price. The restoration took a couple weeks, most of which went to the decals. I think it turned out pretty good, and that old Pittman DC-91 is a crazy powerful motor!
The video’s pretty long this time. I added some timestamps in the main description on YouTube.
Hey, Darth, another great project! I followed this with interest since 2-3 years ago I bought hobbytown PA chassis to part out for axle gears and such. I posted it. When other members here told me what I had acquired, with that massive 7 pole motor, I decided not to gut it, but make it a runner. I couldn’t find a Hobbytown body. I used an Athearn. At least for now. I’d like a metal shell in SP Lark Gray and Scarlet colors.
I also found lightening up the carbon brush springs made it run easier and draw less current. I was surprised that such a HUGE motor could draw well under half an amp. I eliminated all rubber tubing and went with U joints throughout, including undernieth. That eliminated some wobble.
How do I “justify” a passenger loco on a freight only road? The Model Railroader Cylopaeda of diesel Locomotives, noted that since Alco used it’s bigger heavier traction motors on these, a number of them finished out their final years hauling freight. It’ll earn it’s keep!
Thanks for sharing another interesting video. Dan
PRR used multiple E units on Tructrains toward the end of their life but they NEVER painted one in an NYC paint scheme. Sacralige!
I think the new paint scheme is a vast improvement over the original, Darth. Now it has some class. [;)]
Tom
Great video showing great work Darth!!!
I bought an AB pair of Hobbytown E7s off eBay in 2015 to restore, $18 delivered for the pair.
The shells looked better than the frames. A previous owner had removed the motors and drive lines.
I donated the frames to the County (Dump) and cleaned up the shells.
The shells dropped perfectly onto Athearn SD40-2 frames powered by Mabuchi 280 motors.
They weigh in at a bit over two pounds each and have tremendous drawbar, 16 ounces for the pair.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thanks everyone!
Southgate 2, if you ever want a metal body, Hobbytown still has them available: Kit Catalog – hobbytown of Boston
It’s the later design they acquired from Lindsay, so I don’t know if it’ll be quite the right fit for the original chassis, but it shouldn’t be too much work to make it fit.
RR_Mel, nice looking set you have there! If you want truck sideframes to match, A Line used to make some to fit the SD45 trucks (they would need a little work to fit the SD40 trucks). They’re out of production, but you can still find them here and there. I ran by this lot of 2 sets (8 sideframes total) just now: A-Line HO Scale #29300 E-Unit Sideframes (Fits Athearn Trucks) Lot of 2 NIP | eBay
Darth
I have 8 Athearn SD40-2 frames with E7 metal bodies, Cary and Hobbytown as well as a couple of Model Power. I bought the side frames years ago while they were still in production.
The E7s are my favorite diesel.
Airbrushed using masking tape to form the deep V.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Great, then I guess you’re all set on that! I saw the SD40 frames in the photo and wasn’t sure if you planned to change them out or not.[:D]
Nice job on painting that V in the paint! I have to do something similar soon for a CNJ Babyface, and that one doesn’t have pinstripes to separate the colors, so extra care will definitely be needed to get it right. I might do like I did with the bullet train and 3D print a cutting template to get the cut as clean as possible.
I did a drawing on my CAD then used it as a template for the masking tape.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thanks for the link to the catalog, Darth. The price is less than I would have expected for metal.
My PA is still not as smooth I’d like it, I’ll probably turn a great big ol flywheel for it and add power pickups to the dead sides of the trucks.
That catalog has some other useful goodies in it too.
Mel, i can see why those E units are your favorites. Nice!.
Dan
Kinda funny story about the E7s. When I was growing up in the 40s a nabor kid had a Santa Fe War Bonnet Lionel and I had a Lionel 2-6-2 and I just hated his diesel. I continued that way until I found out the SP had a bunch of E units so I bought an E7 off eBay and after I had done my thing in SP Daylight colors I was hooked.
The SP Cab Forwards and AC-9s are still my favorite locomotives but the E7 has a special place in my memories also.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I watched the video some more. I have plenty of respect for Pennsylvania RR, but that NYC scheme is just handsome, as if in top formal wear.
When working on a model this old, the model itself as a historic relic takes on more meaning than its accuracy as to little prototype details. It is the classic.