PRR L5 electric loco

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Ciao to allof you.

I’m an italian modeller and I have a brass L5 (PRR), in natural finishing.

I’d like to paint and improve it, especially in the front zone, where the gap is too big.

Do you have pictures (or know where to find them) to understand what work to do?

Which is the paint scheme for a late '30s or transition era period?

Where I can find suitable decals?

Any suggestion is very vey appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ciao

Francesco

2

Ciao Francesco,

There’s really only one color scheme for the PRR L5 electric, and that’s Dark Green Locomotive Enamel (the so-called “Brunswick Green,” the next best thing to black) for the body and black for the frames and running gear. The keystone number plates are Toludine Red – a bright, orangish red – and the lettering is gold, or beginning in the late 1940s, imitation gold.

For photos, look for the books “Pennsy Power” and “Pennsy Power II” by Alvin F. Staufer, and published by the author.

Good luck with your model,

Andy

3

Thanks very much Mr. Sperandeo.

It’s a pleaseure to receive an answer by a modeller like you, after having read your articles for more than 10 years!!![bow]

Just another quick question: do you know if there is a ready decal sheet to buy to use on my L5?

Thanks again

Best regards

Francesco

4

Do a Yahoo or google image search and you will find several pictures. I don;t know of any in color as they were pretty early engines and all the photos I know of are black and white. The only marking on the engine pictures I have seen are a PENNSYLVANIA on the cab sides. Any steam engine decal set should have one for the smaller tenders that is compressed enough to fit. On E units, GG1’s and P5as the Pennsylvania was spread out. There is also a high voltage warrng on the end door that should be in one of the electric or diesel sets. I haven’t noticed anthing else on them.

5

Hi Francesco,

Thanks for your kind words. Microscale has decals for PRR electrics (www.microscale.com), and so does Champ (www.minot.com/~champ/).

Best wishes,

Andy

6

Buon giorno! Mi dispiace, non parlo italiano.

There are pictures of the L5 and many other Pennsylvania Electric locomotives on this website

http://www.northeast.railfan.net/electric13.html

Dave Nelson

7

Also try www.railpictures.net for photos of almost everything railroad related

8

Thanks to all of you.

Looking at Microscale and Champ decals I haven’t found something tailored exactly to the L5, but generic diesel and electric or GG1. Can I use the “pennsylvania” title from one of these (which is the most appropriate)?

For the numbers which one do you suggest (dimension and colour)?

Thanks again.

Francesco