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This from the video posted.

 

Awesome model! I'm glad they got it right by sticking the ditchlights on it. I sure would love to see it come out in MTH's HO line too.

 

I was pleasantly surprised when I first opened these engines to see those ditch lights! On MTH's website it said nothing about them having the ditch lights. I was happy! : I agree these in HO scale would be sick too! Thanks!

A number of details, including the ditch lights, were added to these models after they were catalogued as a result of customer requests (including mine) to make the models more prototypical to the engines as they appear today, especially since they were being advertised as models of Bennet Levin's PRR E8's and not models of the engines as they were when on the PRR roster.

 

I have a set of these and they are gorgeous.

 

Here's an old video of mine in action:

 

 

Andy

Last edited by Andy Hummell
Originally Posted by borderman01:

PRR, it's not so much the era rather than the actual model has them is what I was questioning. As you can see from the vid it seems to have them even though as Gerry pointed out MTH website does not mention they do have them.

 

As my foggy head puts all this together.   At the time MTH offer the E-8's which were the old Weaver E-8 molds, that they had purchased, the question of the ditch lights was discussed on this forum. The ditch lights are present on Bennett Levin's Pennsy E-8 that have been restored to operation status and were required.  Consenus was that the MTH model, which was a Bennett Levin copy needed the ditch lights, radio phone antenna, etc.  and it was done. The one noted upgrade from the Weaver model was a nicer looking pilot.   

My Weaver E-8's with some Bowser Add on parts and EOB upgrades.  Unfortunately I was well into the remodel before the question of ditch lights came along, so it never happened on my older set.  I believe there are also roof top exhaust fan discrepence Bennett Levin as it exist v.s. the original Weaver model that were never addressed. 

 

Slideshow of my expensive Weaver E-8 upgrade.  Also keep in mind that Pennsy never had B-units and both the Weaver and MTH offerings had the B-unit.  

 

Complete E-8 upgrade to EOB with marker lights.  Keep in mind that these older Weaver E-8 sets could be had for $200 and the B-unit for $125.  

 

Last edited by Mike CT

I should have looked up the MTH product number first then would have known you are referring to the Bennett Levin modeling of the Pennsy E8's.  And since they run under current rules (CFR 229.133) they have ditch lights.  Now I am not sure if MTH correcting incorporated these in their model.

 

But they were made after the NS OCS F-units which do have operating ditch lights.

Originally Posted by borderman01:

So its safe to say all these MTH sets come with ditch lights? I would hate to purchase one without them.

 

Thanks

 

Yes - these models (20-2894-1) came from MTH with the ditch lights.  They were not after-market additions, just after-catalog-printing additions.

 

See the MTH 2008 Volume 2 Catalog Update for a complete list of the changes from the original catalog.  I see that the influence this forum is mentioned in the update as one of the reasons for the update.

 

Andy

Andy referenced this update:

"Pennsylvania A-B-A set, item 20-2894-1, will be revised to more accurately represent Bennett Levinメs restored Pennsy E8s that are operating today. In response to input from members of the OGR Forum and other modelers, these engines will feature prototypical nose lift rings, ditch lights, and more accurate pilots. Engine numbers were incorrectly shown in the catalog and should be 5711 and 5809 for the two A-units. Ditch lights on leading A-unit will flash alternately when activated; ditch lights on trailing A-unit will not flash, due to electrical restrictions of Proto-Sound slave units. For links to pictures of the prototypes during restoration, search on the M.T.H. home page for the item number of this set............"

I noticed something odd with the set already. As I was testing it on the track I saw that on a O54 curve the B unit would lift & bounce on the track. So after further looking into it, I saw that one of the fake plastic wheels on the B unit as the turn was ending the plastic wheel would drop a little getting stuck on the inner rail. Its much like the problem with some atlas freights where the rollers would jam on the center rail. I would not be able to use a shoe ramp since the inner rail needs the space for the metal wheels to run through. So looking for some ideas. Thanks

Some of the antenna was bent. But I guess not something a little glue wont fix. Just out of curiosity, I assume this is something I cant send to MTH to repair. You could but MTH is using too delicate wire for the Antenna. MTH should have speced out the K-line thicker Piano wire for the Antenna. Piano wire is more resilient to bending.


IMHO, if there is just a few stantions broke, try to glue. but if you have a LOT of them broke, I would consider taking them to a superdetailer, have the plastic OEM stantions removed, use Cal Ascale E8 Brass stantions and a thicker piano wire for the antenna. The hard part is to match the paint.

I have known Bennet Levin for quite a few years, even before he became a Commissioner in Philadelphia, PA. My wife Susie and I had the privledge to visit with Bennet aboard PRR #120, his former PRR Business car, at the AARPCO Convention in Hoboken, NJ many years ago.

 

And only a few years ago, those splendid PRR E-8s operated a rare mileage excusion that ran through Phillipsburg, NJ...only a few miles from the RMT office in Bloomsbury.

 

The RMT PRR BEEF diesels are numbered in recognition of Bennet's E-8s.

 

92615 PRR

CTT-PR1111_Pennsy-headshot

CTT-PR1111_Pennsy-outfit

 

The RMT version PRR BEEF A-A Set (and B unit) is painted in a correct color match to the 'real' PRR E-8s...including lettering, EMD style builder's plate.

And the A-A set is complete with trainphone antennas-PRR style.

 

A few still remain in stock and are currently on sale.

 

Thanks.

 

Walter M. Matuch/RMT

 

www.readymadetoys.com

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Wanted to get some opinions on this. Maybe I might be overreacting but I recently sent an email to get status on the repair of the shell for my prr train. so I inquired and figured t beibg so old they wouldnt replace shell rather repair it. So I made an assumption to the MTH person about the final repair leaving shells as if brand new since i purchased  set thru  an authorized dealer. This was he response I got 

" technician simply repaired the existing Antenna that is on your shell. We do not have any replacement parts or shells, so the repair he made is the best that we have to offer."

I took this response as saying that it is possible repair will not leave item as if brand new. 

 I made an assumption to the MTH person about the final repair leaving shells as if brand new since i purchased  set thru  an authorized dealer.

IT's a Bad assumption. You should not assume anything.

 

This was he response I got 

" technician simply repaired the existing Antenna that is on your shell. We do not have any replacement parts or shells, so the repair he made is the best that we have to offer."

I took this response as saying that it is possible repair will not leave item as if brand new.


It's possible. Your problem will be fairly common as long as MTH tries to cater to the scale side. The antenna should have been oversized piano wire like what was used on K-line and Lionel diesels that have the Prr Trainphone detail. The Bent trainphone is minimal on those models because of the heavier piano wire used. I go with robustness than good looks anyday. I had the same issue happen to me on the MTH PRR Pa-1's I ended up replacing the whole antenna myself and doing it right.

Sorry. I hit the submit button too soon. I as well do not like assumptions so I responded that I expect the repair to result the shells being as new since that was what I paid for. So before I jump to conclusions I will wait for them to come in. But I think you should never as a customer get a repsonse like that. Almost seems that they will do it half *** job.

I knew this set being from 2008 was a rare set to find when I did. Obvisously I did not expect it to have these flaws which ultimately I can deal with since this set is rare and no other dealer had it. So I took a chance and ordered it. No way for me to do a test run since this was out of state. I am happy with this set so hopefully MTH does a good job.

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800-980-OGRR (6477)
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