Three Pennsylvania RR engines get merger numbers

Greetings All,

In 1964 New York Central and Pennsylvania RR planners got together in an effort to align their respective locomotive fleets and minimize the number of units that would need renumbering and or repainting for the pending merger. 

As delivered numbers were changed as needed to group locomotives by type. The 6000 series was set aside for six axle locomotives. This series belonged solely to the PRR as they were the only RR including the New Haven that had C-C powered locomotives. 

This trio of Pennsylvania RR locomotives were selected for number changes to reflect the 1964 renumbering plan.

PRR EMD SD9 #7607, one of twenty five of the 1750 HP units purchased in 1957, wears the small as delivered 1957 number.

SD9 #7606 compares notes with PRR H24-66 #8704, one of nine Fairbanks Morse Trainmasters purchased by the PRR in 1956.  

These are good running Athearn Blue Box models that are perfect for Terminal Yard service and an occasional transfer run. 

For P.C.C.M. yard service I wanted the units to be renumbered to reflect their post 1964 numbers used during the Penn Central era. This project is yet another example of the Virtual Ops Catalyst* at work.  

PRR SD9s #6921 and #6924 are renumbered and ready for service like these SD9s at Conway Yard in 1966 .

A close up of the 6921 shows it's a good match for the 1:1 PRR 6921 as photographed in May,1967.

Here is the 6924 fresh out of the paint shop. I used Walthers Solvaset and an eraser to remove the old numbers and repainted the cab that was easily removed from the body with rattle can gloss black.

Not so easily done were the number boards. The Microscale numbers were a tight fit and I spent some time aligning the numbers. In my opinion adding the numbers to the number boards adds a tremendous amount of realism to even the cheapest of locomotives so it was a must for me to add them.

PRR Fairbanks-Morse Trainmaster #6702 is fresh out of the shop and sports a similar look as this July 1969 PC #6700.

A long hood view of the 6702 which is the front of the engine. 

The SD9s easily shoved a long freight train that included two track cleaning cars up the grade to Terminal Yard. The H24-66 handled the same train but could have used some sand as it slipped quite a bit.

The 6702 draws some curious glances in the engine terminal. With only nine H24-66s on the roster and their days numbered before retirement the 6702 would have a short Penn Central career.

The newly renumbered SD9s get the once over in the engine terminal. The twenty five EMD SD9s would enjoy a long Penn Central career. 

I'm pleased with the results of this project that puts these three locomotives firmly into the late PRR  / early PC era.  

Additional Information

*Virtual Ops Catalyst: Ongoing layout, rolling stock, motive power and administrative projects to further enhance the virtual ops also know as the Penn Central Car Movements.

Materials: Walthers Solvaset, pencil eraser, rattle can black spray paint, Microscale decal set #87-21 and Testor's Dullcote.

"The Numbers Game" a blog entry from November 2015 detailing the PRR / NYC renumbering, how I became aware of it and started to apply it to my own locomotive fleet. Many of the locomotives in this blog entry have been repainted, renumbered or altered since this post was originally published to better reflect their prototypes both for my liking and the virtual ops / P.C.C.M.s.

Prototype Information

H24-66 #6702 worked in the Chicago area which is where the PC sent its Fairbanks Morse units to keep them close to the FM Beloit WI parts source. The H24-66s did not receive PC paint jobs and were renumbered to the 6790 series to make room for the U23Cs coming onto the roster in 1970. PC 6700 would become PC #6799 and be the last operating H24-66 on the PC roster. All H24-66s were reported off the roster by the end of 1970.

SD9 #6921 was maintenance based at Buckeye Yard and looks to have made it to the Conrail roster in April 1976.  

SD9# #6924 was maintenance based at Avon Yard and looks to have made it to the Conrail roster in April 1976. 

Book Sources: Penn Central Bi Annual by Robert H Reid, Penn Central Power by Robert J. Yanosey 

Thanks for reading!!!

See Ya Soon!!!