Welcome to my Blog. The scope of this blog is to record the trials and tribulations of building and maintaining an HO scale layout, the trains and all of the ancillary projects that go with it. In 2017 New York Central subsidiary short line Empire Belt Railroad came into existence. The New York Central / Penn Central and Empire Belt are now the major railroads featured.
The HO Scale Penn Central RR that is alive and well in my basement has added another GP38-2 to its roster. In truth I was reluctant to do this as I already have seven PC GP38/38-2s on the roster. These seven units pale in comparison with the 1:1 Penn Central's four hundred sixty eight GP38/GP38-2 locomotives.
The caveat here is that three are Athearn BB models, two are Atlas models and two are Bachmann DCC on Board models and none M.U. well with the other brands on my DC controlled layout.
Atlas Yellow Box PC GP38s that I've painted and lettered. The 2010 was released from the Patti-O Paint Shop in 2020 and the 7675 was released from the shop in 2015.
Factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board GP38-2s have been on the roster since 2013.
This three unit Penn Central lash up consists of two GP38-2s and one GP38 that I've painted and numbered. The 8024 and 7698 are 2014 graduates of the Patti O Paint Shop. The 8308 graduated in 2017.
After looking at other options for the undecorated model I finally decided on painting and lettering it as the PC 8027.
The project locomotive started out as a new in the box undecorated Athearn Blue Box GP-38-2 that I purchased as part of a three locomotive deal in August, 2024.
A Quick Look at the
The Penn Central GP38/GP38-2 Armada
According to Robert Yanosey in the book Penn Central Power the 2000 HP non turbocharged V-16 GP38 was introduced in 1966 but did not attract much attention compared to the GP40s and SD45s offered at the same time with the 645 prime mover. PC ignored the GP38 until a nationwide swing toward fuel and maintenance savings made it a giant seller. The PC ordered 240 GP38s (7675-7939) from 1969 to 1971.
The 7675 is the lowest numbered GP38 from the Penn Central order in 1969 and features the early oil bath air filter.
"7860" by hugh llewelyn is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Cheap to run and able to be used anywhere in the system the GP38 became the Penn Central's ideal locomotive enjoying a long career with the PC and long after the PC folded.
"11/78, Conrail GP38 7787" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Ex PRSL GP38s
Five PC GP38s in the 2000 series (2010-2014) were ordered by the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL), a New Jersey RR owned by the PC and RDG, in August, 1970. EMD withheld delivery of the units to the PRSL after the PC bankruptcy and then determined the PC was more credit worthy than the PRSL. The five GP38s had their PRSL heralds painted out and they became PC property.
The 2010 is the only one of the ex PRSL group with the PC herald on the long hood.
The GP38-2s
In 1972 EMD introduced the Dash 2 series of locomotives that offered internal improvements with the external differences being high adhesion trucks and a sight glass located on the right rear of the long hood.
"X 12/74, PC GP38-2 7997" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Impressed with the performance of the GP38s the Penn Central bankruptcy trustees authorized the purchase of 223 GP38-2s (7940-8162) between May 1972 and October 1973.
"4/74, PC GP38-2 8107" by OHFalcon72 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
PC GP38-2 8148 is a factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board model.
The 8150 is also a factory painted Bachmann DCC on Board model. This GP38-2 was originally straight DC power. I swapped chassis with a DCC on Board GP40 power chassis to m.u. it to the 8148.
Back to the Project Model
The DC powered engine has been hardwired for better electrical reliability. Kadee #5s have been installed and the truck side frames have been rattle can painted with flat black.
The 8027 poses for a roster shot at Terminal Yard after being released from the Patti-O Paint Shop. Penn Central decals are from K-4 and the ACI decals is from Micro Scale.
The 1:1 scale PC 8027 is a GP38-2 model delivered to the Penn Central sometime between May and September 1972 as part of a one hundred unit order of GP38-2s (7940-8039). An order for 114 more GP38-2s (8040-8153) would follow in 1973.
The 8027 leads four Athearn BB GP38/38-2s hustling a freight train from Terminal Yard thru Bedford, NY.
My original reluctance to add another PC GP38 to the fleet was eliminated when running this four unit lash up that just screams Penn Central to me. I'm glad to have finally come to my senses!!
In other action the 8027 leads three siblings down the mainline to Terminal Yard as a freight train with PC GP38 7675 holds on the Bedford secondary. The 7675 was part of the original 140 unit order (7675-7814) order in 1969.
On another day the four units haul a train from Selkirk to Terminal Yard.
The GP38 Fleet in Action
A Rude Awakening
As the four Athearn BB GP38s made their way around the layout with various trains that I enjoyed railfanning I discovered the four powered units were a bit too much for my MRC 2500 controller during the continuous running. After heating up considerably the overload circuit tripped and the consist came to a complete halt. Rats!!!
I reassessed my power needs and swapped an Athearn dummy GP38 chassis from a Conrail unit with an Athearn powered chassis of an older a PC GP38. The consist is now three powered units and one non powered unit which still provides plenty of muscle. In a pinch the fourth GP38 can quickly be repowered for basic operations.
Final Thoughts and Comments
With eight PC GP38s/GP38-2s now on the roster I envision continuing to us them in system wide service as the 1:1 Penn Central did. The four Athearn BB units now offer additional muscle where needed in a four powered set and can handle most of the tonnage I can throw at them in a 3-1 powered/dummy set. They will be right at home with hotshot TOFC TrailVan trains, mixed manifest symbol trains or lugging loaded coal hopper extras.
New Power and Rolling Stock for the Empire Belt RR
While recently working on completing the ex New Haven Penn Central Alco FA-FB-FB-FA consist project posted here I came across the below undecorated locomotives along with the Southern FB-1 that was used to power the last PC FB1.
The unboxed undecorated Walthers undecorated GP9m shell and power chassis. The shell will be washed and assembled prior to painting. The power chassis will be disassembled, cleaned and painted black.
EMD GP9m or GP18?
The GP9m is usually a rebuild of a GP9. The short hood would have been chopped down in most cases for better visibility. Certain parts of the locomotive like the trucks would have been remanufactured. The prime mover would have been modified depending on who rebuilt it.
The EMD GP18 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors, Electro-Motive Division between December 1959 and November 1963. Power was provided by an 16-567D1 16 cylinder engine which generated 1,800 horsepower. The GP18 replaced the GP9 in EMD's catalog. 350 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads, 40 units were built for Mexican railroads, 12 were built for export to a Brazilian railroad, 2 were exported to Peru, and 1 was exported to Saudi Arabia.
"Nacionales de Mexico EMD GP18 7504" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.
GP18s could be customized by their buyers: railroads ordered GP18s with either high or low short hoods, with or without dynamic brakes, and in the case of Grand Trunk Western, with the optional addition of steam generators.
"Chicago Central (ex-Illinois Central) 9420 (GP18)" by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. is marked with CC0 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/?ref=openverse.
Based on the above the Walthers GP9ms have been reclassified as GP18s for the Empire Belt RR as they better fit my railroads operating era.
Back to the Model
The power chassis has been reassembled after being painted flat black along with the truck side frames. Kadee #5s have been installed and tested with the Kadee Height Gauge.
Resurrecting "The Road To The Future"
Empire Belt RR #7280 is just out of the shops sporting the Road To The Future slogan of its former parent road the New York Central.
The EBRR marketing department resurrected the Road To The Future slogan to show its rail customers that the EBRR was financially sound and moving forward while it's new parent RR, the PC was in dire straits with many other Northeastern RRs.
The Road To The Future Slogan had been used by the NYC from the early 1960s up to the merger with the PRR which created the Penn Central. The slogan could be found on the NYC cabooses and the new NYC herald introduced at this time was known as the Road To The Future herald.
"New York Central System Rail Car" by Barry Cruver is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The three Empire Belt RR GP18s (7278-7279-7280) pose for a roster shot at Terminal Yard.
The 7280, 7279 and 7278 head back to their home at North Side Yard caboose lite. Getting those numbers into the number boards was a pain in the neck!!
A New 50' Reefer for the Empire Belt
Another long time stalled project
Five NYMX (NYC) Mechanical Refrigerators from at least three manufacturers and no two look the same are shown at Terminal Yard on November 29, 2017. Pacific Car & Foundry built 100 of these cars for the New York Central in 1956 that were painted in the yellow and dark green scheme at the right.
The yellow & green NYMX at left above has been gifted to a young railfan and the white & blue NYMX reefer like the one below from an ebay listing has been a purgatory box resident for years.
I did a patch out on the car similar to the one above awhile ago to make it an EBRR reefer using black lettering but wasn't happy with it. Why black lettering? Because I wasn't eager to use my dwindling stock of white EBRR decals so back to the purgatory box it went.
Meanwhile the Empire Belt already has three 57' mechanical reefers in its fleet that were painted and lettered in August 2018 as part of another APRR-EBRR Project. Here they are in a PCCM 100 photo from June, 2023.
I finally bit the bullet and sent the blue & white reefer to the Patti-O Paint Shop and the paint stripping container. After being soaked in 91% Isopropyl alcohol the car was primed and painted with rattle can green and gloss white to almost match the three 57' EBRR reefers.
Much better!!! Should have done this six years ago!!! The ex NYMX reefer had already been thru the car shop where it received body mounted knuckle couplers and metal wheels.
EBRR Reefer #5827 is ready for it's first revenue move to Empire Produce, a local Empire City industry.
EBRR 5827 ready to be loaded!!
Back to the Locomotives
In other action the GP18s are lensed working the Hohman Ave Industrial Park.
The three Empire Belt GP18s worked very well in switching service and were later assigned to EBRR Train EB-2, the transfer freight train from North Side Yard to Terminal Yard.
The EBRR GP18s are put to the test.
Final Thoughts and Comments
The Walthers GP9ms / EBRR GP18s 7278 and 7279 are original Empire Belt RR engines and have provided reliable service to the EBRR since its inception in 2017. The addition of the 7280 provides another reliable unit adding additional muscle to allow for longer trains in both switching and transfer operations.
While the Walthers units are not highly detailed they are very DC friendly with low current draw and smooth low speed operation courtesy of their flywheel equipped motor. This is just what I am searching for to power the Empire Belt RR today and as it heads into the future.
As for the new EBRR 50' mechanical reefer all I can say is I should have repainted it years ago!!
Welcome to another installment of the locomotive spotlight series!! Today the spotlight will shine on the legendary GG1. A recent purchase of a Bachmann HO Scale Penn Central GG1 was the catalyst to revisit some of the information of this iconic locomotive.
Prototype Information
Why a GG1?
The Pennsylvania Railroad became dissatisfied with its electric P5a 2-C-2 electric motors in the early 1930s which prompted the PRR to try a 2-C-C-2 locomotive classified as a GG1. After a P5a grade crossing accident in January, 1934 where the engineer was killed the center cab design was sought for better crew protection which resulted in Donald Dohner's center cab GG1 design.
"PRR P-5a passenger locomotive made by GE 4-5-1933 [GE news photo]" by over 26 MILLION views Thanks is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Who Designed the first GG1?
Not Raymond Lowey!!
So said the headline in the Classic Trains Summer 2009 issue highlighting the GG1. The CT article by Hampton C. Wayt credits Donald R. Dohner a well known industrial designer of the period with the design of the GG1 and the 4800 which became known as "Rivets" based on its construction.
"RR2000.20 GG1 PRR 4800 Plate" by Photo by and (c)2014 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse.
Who?
Donald Roscoe Dohner, born in 1892, was highly regarded as both an industrial designer and design educator. In 1934 he started the first degree granting industrial design program in the United States at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie-Mellon University) in Pittsburgh. One year later he moved to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY where he developed the industrial design curriculum that has made Pratt one of the leading design programs to this day.
"Pratt Institute- Engineering Building" by Raleene is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Mr. Dohner began his career in East Pittburgh with the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company (WEMCo) for which in 1930 he was named head of the new "Art in Engineering Department". In this capacity he was in charge of designing products in all 25 WEMCo plants across the country. Mr. Dohner was credited with designing 128 products from ashtrays to locomotives during his four year tenure at WEMCo.
"Inauguration of electrification on the Santiago - Valparaiso line, locomotive 2806 from Baldwin-Westinghouse, at Santiago Mapocho on October 10, 1924 (official photograph/ coll. Dietrich Angerstein)" by santiagonostalgico is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
In 1934 Mr. Dohner was part of the design team of the GG1 that was engineered at Baldwin Locomotive Works under the direction of consultant engineer George Gibbs along with representatives from General Electric, Westinghouse, PRR, Baldwin and Gibbs own company Gibbs & Hill. Mr. Dohner contributed three design models that eventually became GG1 #4800 that was built by General Electric with Westinghouse controls and a Baldwin Chassis..
Where Did He Go?
The PRR hired Raymond Loewy in November 1934 to further the development of the GG1 design for mass production. Mr. Loewy and the PRR promoted him as the father of the GG1 while Mr. Dohner, an employee of Westinghouse, was a modest man who chose to espouse design technique rather than himself. This modesty combined with an early death has left him all but forgotten.
GG1 Fun Facts
GG1 4800 was built at the Baldwin's Philadelphia Shop
GG1 4701 - 4938 were built at the PRR Juniata Shops (Altoona), with GE motors and Westinghouse controls.
Wheel Arrangement: 2-C-C-2
Total Weight: 477,000 pounds
Continuous Horsepower: 4,620 (9,240 for a short time)
Maximum Speed: Passenger: 100 MPH. Freight: 90 MPH
Power Source: Catenary Wire (11,000 volts, single phase, 25 cycles)
Length: 79'6"
Height : 15'0"
How Rugged were the GG1s?
The 4876 pictured below became famous on January 15th, 1953 when it crashed thru the track 16 bumping post at Washington Union Station after being unable to stop when it arrived with the overnight Federal Express from Boston. The 4876 destroyed the station newsstand and plummeted into the basement below. Miraculously no one was killed. An angle cock had vibrated shut disabling the air brakes on thirteen of the train's sixteen cars. Cut apart and taken to Altoona for rebuilding the 4876 is back on the rails before years end.
"PRR 4876 GG1" by CaptainCutler is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Reliability
The only major electro-mechanical breakdown of the GG1 was caused by a February 1958 blizzard that swept across the northeastern United States and put nearly half of the GG1s out of commission. Exceptionally fine snow, caused by the extreme low temperatures, passed through the traction motors' air filters and into the electrical components. When the snow melted, it short-circuited the components. On about 40 units, the air intakes were later moved to a position under the pantographs.
Rivets Close Up
In 1935 GG1 4800 powers the first official electric train out of Washington D.C. on January 28th.
"'Old Rivets' GG1 #4800" by blind squirrel snapography is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/?ref=openverse.
"GG1 used for PRR passenger and freight service in 1935" by over 25 MILLION views Thanks is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
GG1 #4935 was restored to the dark green and pinstripes by Amtrak in 1977. Here it is cosmetically restored and on display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
"File:Retired PRR GG1 at Railroad Museum.jpg" by Pheanix is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The GG1s were PRR livery trendsetters with the above 4935 ushering in the dark green five strip scheme that would be used on its early diesel cab units. The 4890 below shows the Tuscan red scheme that was be applied to the diesel cab passenger fleet starting in 1952.
"PRR GG1 4890 at NRM, Green Bay, 20040426" is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
In 1967 as part of a federally funded Northeast Corridor Project PRR's October 29 timetable includes New York-Washington schedules that call for train speeds of 100 MPH to be powered by GG1s that are 24 years old.
"PRR GG1 No. 4893 pulls passenger train at Newark NJ 1967" by over 25 MILLION views Thanks is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The GG1s were more than up to the task!!! The Giant keystones were introduced in 1955.
"Pennsylvania RR GG1 at Newark NJ 1967" by over 26 MILLION views Thanks is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The New Black
On February 01, 1968 119 surviving GG1s were conveyed to the Penn Central upon the merger of the PRR and the NYC. The GG1s would retain their original 4800-4938 numbers.
"PC 4879 DC Union Station May 1976xRP" by drewj1946 is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
On May 1st, 1971 Amtrak took over the intercity passenger rail operations and would lease 21 of the PC GG1s.
"Amtrak 4886 at Harrison, June 1975" by Tim_kd5urs is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Amtrak would also purchase 30 GG1s for Northeast Corridor passenger service and New York & Long Branch commuter service renumbering them into the 900 series and then later adding the 4 prefix back to the GG1s.
"Amtrak No 904" by Tim_kd5urs is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
A Bloody Nose!
In 1972 Amtrak painted six GG1s in the red, blue and silver scheme known as "the circus", WC Fields and Rudolph schemes by railfans.
"Amtrak 926" by Mobilus In Mobili is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.
Another Owner
On April 1st, 1976 Conrail picked up the pieces of the bankrupt Northeastern railroads and inherits the Penn Central GG1s. CR would us 68 GG1s for freight service until 1980 when Conrail electric operations ended.
"PRR GG1 locomotives in Claymont DE, Jan 9th, 1977" by WES is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
On April 12th, 1976 the 4800, Old Rivets, rolls out of the Conrail Altoona Paint Shop in a star spangled paint job in honor the USA bicentennial.
"File:Conrail 4800 at Wilmington Shops, August 29, 1976.jpg" by WES from same place, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
All electric motor maintenance for the PRR, PC, CR and Amtrak took place at the Wilmington, Delaware shop.
"GG1 locomotives at Wilmington Shops, August 1976" by WES from same place, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.
End of the Line
Ten months shy of the class's 50th Anniversary, New Jersey Transit retired the last active GG1s, 4877, 4879 and 4882 after a day of Newark-Matawan farewell trips on October 29th, 1983. Not a single GG1 has run since. GG1s 4872-4884 were conveyed to NJ Transit in 1976.
"Railroad262" by Bengt 1955 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/?ref=openverse.
The Models
The newest GG1 model to join my fleet is a Bachmann red box product that comes with DCC and Sound.
The model is a factory new purchase and ready for unboxing.
After a break in period and some lubrication the 4853 is ready for its first revenue run.
The 4853 heads towards RA Tower on the lower level of the layout where my electric motors mostly run so the lack of catenary is as apparent.
The 4853 passes RA Tower. The lower level is also used as my New Haven RR connection. In 1969 the PC began running their GG1s in passenger service from Washington DC to New Haven, CT.
GG1 4853 sits at Empire City Station with a TOFC train.
On another day the 4853 is hauling an Amtrak train thru the station as a TOFC train is powered by a PC GP40 and APRR GP38.
Other GG1s in the Combined Family Fleet
PRR GG1 4800. This is an IHC Premier model with no rivets in sight!! The 4800 was restored to this 1935 livery in 1982.
GG1 4910 another IHC Premier model passes with the Congressional which spurred the change to Tuscan Red for PRR passenger service locomotives.
GG1 4935 was restored to its original PRR livery by Amtrak in 1977. This is also an IHC Premier model.
The end of an era of Northeast Corridor dominance by the GG1s is approaching and it is the beginning of a new era of NE Corridor dominance by the AEM-7.
PC GG1 #4853 in action
Final Thoughts and Comments
Is the GG1 the most famous locomotive of all time? It certainly has a pedigree of reliability, length of service, iconic design and time tested appeal after serving five different owners for almost five decades.
A Minor Glitch
The Bachmann red box GG1 ran very well in one direction during the break in period but when I reversed the direction the truck tower bearings started squealing loudly. I took the shell off by removing the four screws and oiled both bearings. After that the GG1 has run perfectly.
