I’m still messing around with my red PC E7. From the photos I have, I can see that they have Sinclair radio antennas mounted on the roofs. However, I can’t tell how they’re attached. The part I’m using comes with a base, but I can’t tell if that’s up there too or not. Did PRR/PC use the base, or did they just bolt the antenna to the roof? Any help is appreciated.
The PRR had its own inductive radio system that utilized a pair of conduits that ran the length of the engine on both sides of the roof. I suspect if you have a PC engine with a Sinclair antenna that it is an ex-NYC engine and you should be looking for NYC pictures to help you out.
I know about the PRR’s “train phone” antennas, but most of those were gone by the time PC came around. I think they were all pulled, and the Sinclairs installed for consistency in the fleet.
Both of these are ex-PRR, and have the Sinclair antennas:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/pc/pc4243ags.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/pc/pc4233bgs.jpg
The Pennsy used 45-degree numberboards on their E7s, however these boards are different from those on later E8s. They aren’t faired-in as on E8s.
There’s a good “down-on” photo of a Sinclair-equipped Pennsy F7 at AC Tower in 1967 at
On a related point, the Sinclair antennae on Penny’s E8s were mounted at the extreme rear of the carbody roof, behind the steam generator exhaust on the fireman’s side.