Hi all. Was wondering if anyone had pics on this set? Bumped into this on a youtube vid and what a set it is. I couldnt find any on the forum.
Thanks
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I am curious to know that on the catalog 2008 V2 there is no mention of ditch lights at all. In fact on catalog they show a pic of the engine and you see no ditch lights on it unless they were altered by the owner. Here is the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyK7IKjX9Js
Does anyone who owns this set can confirm if they are ditch lights on this set? May have a seller and interested in getting.
Thanks
01, why would you expect to see ditch lights on a 50's/60's era diesel???
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!
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.
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
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.
K-Line made an outstanding A-A set of Pennsy E8's with a single gold stripe and Pennsylvania in large script. This remains my favorite PRR diesel set up with TMCC and EOB.
Norm
So its safe to say all these MTH sets come with ditch lights? I would hate to purchase one without them.
Thanks
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.
01, why would you expect to see ditch lights on a 50's/60's era diesel???
Ans: because they are models of rebuilt units that are running on Today's Railroads!
Good luck in finding this set. Someday when I get enough money, I too would hope to aquire this unique & stunning set!
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............"
01, suggest you add "Levin" to your title. That way the forum members that have these, and there are a few, may take note and post their pictures that they have previously posted here.
Has been done. Thanks PRR
There were a number of members on this forum that nurtured this project along from what was originally cataloged. MTH was very responsive and produced an outstanding set, including a fantasy Pennsy E8B unit! Probably a hard to find item indeed.
Stack
I was able to find a mth dealer who had one last set left. Wow. Talk about lucky. Got it.
I have this set. They truly are beautiful with the glossy paint. My only issue is the large gap above the pilot.
