PRR K5 5698

Photo did not work on iPad.  Did you know there is a K5 in 17/64 currently on eBay?  Primitive, but they can be made to run flawlessly.

Photo didn't show for me either, but I want to see bad!

Bob

no photo for me either Ed.

You must be aware of the K5 that Fran Pfeil has done. I don't recall which unit it was, it is a masterpiece!

Great model of an uncommon prototype. What particular service do you use this locomotive for Ed?

That's quite a significant water facility I see in the one photo.

Bob

Bob

Toward the end of their service lives the two K5's served primarily on runs between Harrisburg and Baltimore.  Since my railroad models elements of the Middle and Pittsburgh division I've taken modelers license to use the K5 primarily at the head end of a "special" comprised of heavyweight Pullman's perhaps chartered for a convention run. When I tack on President Truman's Ferdinand Magellan on the tail end it becomes a campaign train.

Ed Rappe

Nice!  And spectacular railroad.

+1

FWIW,I have a couple of the S scale K5s,and,for "toys" that are 60+ years old,they run really nicely and don't look half bad,either! I have wondered why Gilbert opted to model the K5 (of which there were 2), instead of the K4 (400 plus)...

Mark in Oregon

Mark - that's the 3/16" scale O gauge American Flyer 3 rail # 529 K5 on the left.  Needless to say after taking the photo I quickly I took it off the rails to prevent a short.

When AF resumed production after WWII they redesigned their steam locomotive mechanisms for 2 rail S gauge, using virtually the same boiler and tender castings.  I retrospect it's amazing they were able to squeeze an O gauge mech in an S gauged size boiler. 

Ed Rappe

Ed, do you have any videos of your layout operating posted anywhere on line? It really looks spectacular!

Gasp! What a beautiful railroad! Magnificent work.

Sister K5 #5399 turned in some remarkable horsepower measures: 3862 DBHP and 4267 IHP, at 75 mph. She had a Franklin Rotary Cam System and a modified front end arrangement to more efficiently distribute steam, done by Lima. I have mentioned these figures in conversations with other steam enthusiasts, and was pummeled with "No way a Pacific churned out these measures!"       Care to comment, Ed?

Ditto what everyone else said, very few model railroaders do Pennsy and O scale as authentically, and as thoroughly as you do ED. I appreciate the additional photos very much. Sensational!

Bob

Maybe that's why they run so well. That could also explain the size of the motors in the AF engines; they're huge,and will pull as many cars as one might have on hand.

In any case,I'll add my name to the (growing) list of admirers of your fabulous layout,and yes,I too would love to see a video!

Mark in Oregon

Greg -  Though the track work is complete and fully operational, I've held off doing a video or  photo layout tour until the scenery is further along. You are seeing one of four longitudinal aisles.  The hillside behind the passenger trains is only partially wooded and it won't be until next fall that I can harvest enough dried golden rod to make the 100's of trees I need to finish the scene.  The Horseshoe Curve aisle backdrop is in but unpainted, and its terrain is only partially covered with hard shell.  With all the beautiful finished scenery I see on the forum and in the magazines, I'm reluctant to showcase 2 rail O scale with partially finished scenery. 

Ed Rappe

Beautiful layout Ed, will be looking forward to seeing more.

M first train was the Gilbert Flyer No 310 from 1947 or so. STill have her sitting on a shelf in my office,,,

My #310 is the quietest AF loco I currently have...

Mark in Oregon

Beautiful and unique locomotive!  Thanks for posting the pictures and story.

I would also love to see whatever photos and videos of your layout you are comfortable posting.  

Wow, you've made great progress on the layout Ed.

Ed,

The locomotives look great! 

The progress you've made on the layout is fantastic.

Thanks for sharing. Keep the images coming they are an inspiration to the rest of us mortals.

Ed, Fantastic Detailing and Layout. And I also want to thank you for your continuing support that I do in anything PRR. Your opinion and suggestions help us maintain a high level of accuracy.

A Big THANK YOU!

Scott Mann

Nice progress on an incredible layout.

Excellent looking engine, and the layout is stunning.

 All the above! Just beautiful. Saved those pics to my computer in hopes that they will affect my building skills and take it up a few dozen notches.

 Now that's a water service area! On the main's too. Thank you for sharing.

Guys  - thanks for the kind words.  Influenced by John Armstrong (a Friday night railroading regular), the area around the watering bridge is what John called a "Scenic Curve". It's 12' long, super elevated, and laid on a 1082" radius. I couldn't lay it out  with the usual trammel beam method as the center of radius would be accross the street! To lay it uniformly I used fixed interval offsets from a know reference line taken from the 3rdPlanit CAD drawing of the railroad. 

 In retrospect I should have left the curve flat and installed track pans - now that would shout Pennsy Middle Division. 

Ed Rappe

This is one thing I dislike about having so many forums. I miss some great model work about the PRR which I am using as a pattern for my layout. (I'm a 3 railer)  Great info and photos....