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Sunset Models HO scale P-1a and P-2b electric locomotives
Given the original road numbers, the CUT motors would fit into the 1929-1936 era. The Roman lettering lasted until just after WWII, but the units were renumbered into the 200 series ca. 1936. There were no road crossings at grade anywhere on CUT tracks, so whistles/horns were not applied until the motors went to New York. Better to have it and not need it I suppose. In all, these look like nice locomotives.
I have been dying to acquire one of these. But for $1100, one would expect a detailed cab interior and every rivet to be perfect. Clearly a collector’s item.
Okay… you got me on this one… is “haul varnish” a railroad term? I have not heard this one before. And also thanks for the great reviews on the equipment that MR presents. You answer a lot of the questions I might have on an item. Great job and again thank you.
Varnish refers to the old heavy weight passenger cars known for their ornate wood interiors and the coats of varnish applied to finish the wood.
These were my introduction to trains as a young boy in Cleveland. Dad would take me to see them entering the city at an overpass near our house. That made a lifelong impression and this model is exciting to see.
A vast improvement over the Model Engineering Works version that I have in all aspects. The drive system beats the heck out of the spring-belt drive in the older model. Then there is the Cannon motor. I suppose I could smooth out the open frame one I have by installing DCC, but I wonder if that would be worth the effort. If you are a fan of juice motors, this is one to have for either interurban or main line use.
Has anyone found the video of the sound-equipped P-2b with the MTH Empire State Express cars? It is mentioned in the print magazine.
I use to live along the New York Central tracks that led from White Plains and north into New York City. I rode many a train into Grand Central terminal being pulled by these locomotives. These were still being used in the early 1960’s.
In the review of this model, Dana Kawala says that he adujsted CV2 to a value of 55 to improve slow speed operation. He says, "On the DCC test track the model didn’t start moving until speed step 7. However, after I programmed the starting voltage configuration variable (CV2) to a value of 55, the model crept along smoothly…
I’m new to DCC and I would like to know why 55? Why not 45, or 65 or 22? What was the original setting for CV2. As a novice, I don’t make these adjustments for fear of damaging something. Was the setting of 55 based on experience or just an educated guess?
Thanks