Ma & Pa

  Maybe tempt us some more ...What is it that is intriguing you? 

jim pastorius posted:

Does anyone model the  old Maryland & Pennsylvania RR  ??  I am reading and enjoying a history published in the 60s. It seems like a really neat RR to model.

Probably reading this:

Yes, the first edition. Love all the photos. I want to study them tomorrow. Some years ago I was at a park just over the Pa. line in Md near Rocks. There was a road there with a plate girder bridge with the  M&P name on it. A unique RR in a way using old wooden boxcars with arch bar trucks  and two 4-4-0 steamers. At the end 4 employees had 50 years of service and a whole bunch had 25.

The author referred to the M&P as the Colorado  narrow gauge of the east  and it was short(&& miles), curvy, hilly  and used old but well maintained equipment. Carried lots of passengers and mixed freight through narrow valleys, had short bobber cabooses and ran steam late in to the 50s with a few diesels. Check it out !!

Yes there are quite a few people on model the Ma&Pa in HO.

 Check out the following link Ma&Pa Historical Society:

http://www.maparailroadhist.org

I live about a mile form the Ma&Pa Forrest Hill Station which is largely original and still standing in the same location.   Please note there is a newer book published about the Ma&Pa which I like better then older book written by Hilton available through the Ma&Pa Historical Society.

Precision Scale brought in a Ma & Pa Baldwin catalogue 2-8-0 in screw driver assembly kit form....in O scale, about 40 years ago. A good foundation to build from.

I would love a model of their 4-4-0s. Their cabooses are neat, too.

Jim did you miss Heritage Days at Muddy Creek Forks yesterday ? It was a fantastic time and what a great look at the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad and a 19th century operation. 

MTH has produced some Ma&Pa diesels and rolling stock including a bobber caboose and a woodside caboose.  MTH may have also produced/imported a Ma & Pa steamer in the Premier line as well.  A galloping goose was produced by MTH in Ma &  Pa livery, however, the railroad never owned one.  MTH also made a set of the old boxcars and I think some Overton  passenger cars in Ma & Pa livery too.  

Of course the MTH products are in 3 rail not hard core serious 2 rail, however it's good enough for me.  I have several pieces including a Railking  SW 1 number 81, a Premier woodside 50 ton hopper and woodside caboose.  In RK rolling stock I have the MA & PA trailer on flat car, box car, and a couple of 4 bay hoppers.  

It was a pretty neat little railroad with its own charm. 

I go to about three or four events every year at Muddy Creek and I always enjoy my visits.  But I missed yesterday Heritage Days Event. 

Back in the late 70's and early 80's I worked at BFF (Berwick Forge and Fabricating) in Berwick Pa. They did an order of boxcars for Ma& Pa.

A great read! I wish I had been interested and done some Ma & Pa exploring when I lived in Baltimore from 79-83!

Peter

Where is Muddy Creek ??

A wide spot in the road in southern York County. PA.

When the OP examines the map in his book on page 62, he will find Muddy Creek Forks in southeastern York County. It is the longest stretch of intact original MA&PA trackage.
This  posted link to the other MA&PA historical society  maandparailroad.com explains the purpose of preserving this piece of trackage.

Author Hilton's quote on the railroad, printed on the inside front cover: "The MA & PA was a model railroad at the scale of 12 inches to the foot"

I really had not checked that map yet but these old eyes need a magnifying glass -but I did find it.  I liked the quote of a model railroad, 12' to the foot. How far is the right of way to Hanover Junction ??

I was at Powell books in Portland yesterday and picked up a copy for myself! Didn't think I'd find a copy across the country! 

Just ordered the later edition from Amazon for $10.42.  It's used but VG condition hardback.

jim pastorius posted:

I really had not checked that map yet but these old eyes need a magnifying glass -but I did find it.  I liked the quote of a model railroad, 12' to the foot. How far is the right of way to Hanover Junction ??

The Ma & Pa doesn't go to Hanover Junction, that is the Northern Central.  The Ma & Pa went south out of York to Red Lion, Delta, Bel Air and on to Baltimore.

Gene Anstine

I know it went south but wasn't sure about west although they had aspirations(like most RRs) to go west.  Don't have a Pa. map close at hand right now.  Never been to Red Lion but seems like an interesting place. Home of Heirloom Weavers now.

If you visit Muddy Creek Forks the photos alone are worth the time. Visit on one of their open house days you literally step back in time to this 19th century village. The general store operates with several venues as many did during the period. The roller mill has many machinerie exhibits of that era. There are several MA & PA pieces of rolling stock and SW9 #82.