Model Train Journal

I seldom even look at "Trainz" listing, as their descriptions are seldom correct and often misleading.....they really are clueless what they're selling. But, this is an interesting and nicely built model, that is either a very well built kit (don't know whose) or maybe even a re-powered imported U-50. I recognize the CLW drives, but the shell and frame elude me. Really nice see through screening and interior details. Any suggestions?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394315429717?h ... R6z66IeHYQ

Here is the model in question, which sold this morning on a Buy-It-Now for $765 (plus shipping and tax):



Note in this view the thickness of the shell:



The thick shell identifies it as either a cast aluminum Penn-Erie or its white-metal LWS descendant. There were very few Penn-Erie versions, perhaps only ten. Here is one:



These were originally developed as promotional desktop models for GE customers. The U50 only sold to UP and SP, so Penn-Erie used the left over casting sets to build finished and powered versions to modelers. The UP version above is one such model.

Penn-Erie produced many other models for GE, including the U25B, U25C, U30C, U33b, U33/36C, and the E44 electric. Many were sold as casting sets by LWS. Apparently there was enough demand for U50s that LWS ran off a set of white-metal castings. Here is such a set:



Note the four-piece casting set. The aluminum Penn-Erie versions are two-piece, split down the middle. The LWS casting set shown went to Bob. He assembled it and posted about it here:

http://www.modeltrainjournal.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=19217

Jim

Thanks Jim. Excellent information. What really made that SP model stand out in my opinion was the sprung trucks, unlike the solid cast trucks on the UP model shown. Whoever built it was good and wanted the best he could make for the time.

Here is a repeat of mine - still has a favored place on the display shelf!



Has not yet fallen apart of its own weight (reinforced with Fibreglas and epoxy). I need to touch up that red stripe above the screen, of course.

I gotta tell you, I prefer the more massive look of the sand cast side frames. I bet those sprung trucks are pewter, too.

At least now I know what these things are worth! Thanks, Jim!

A Stunning exhibition in streamlining.......NOT! Rectangular solid of the year!

I can't deny that Bob. The side frames do look a bit anemic, but I like the working sprung look, even if it doesn't.

Yeah, Rich, the UP had some really ugly locomotives in their quest for higher horsepower. The ALCO Century 855 (5500Hp) was so big and boxy it would knock down stand pipes and wash racks in the yards. It was another disaster financially as it constantly broke down.

up148 wrote:Yeah, Rich, the UP had some really ugly locomotives in their quest for higher horsepower. The ALCO Century 855 (5500Hp) was so big and boxy it would knock down stand pipes and wash racks in the yards. It was another disaster financially as it constantly broke down.

No doubt about it, Uncle Pete had the space to run BIG stuff. I always thought the best way to do it was multiple units. Assign them as you need 'em!

Rich

R.K. Maroon wrote:The thick shell identifies it as either a cast aluminum Penn-Erie or its white-metal LWS descendant.

I'm skeptical of Maroon's conclusion that the SP unit sold by Trainz was a cast unit. To me, the detail above the frame looks very similar to Gilmaur's U-boat kits. Several shapes and angles on that SP unit differ from the casting - look at the front of nose and the top of the hood - those parts look like bent brass to me.

Trainz also has a DD40AX on their website; that appears to me to have been a 1-off homemade model:
Custom Built O Scale BRASS Union Pacific DD40 Diesel Locomotive #6900 - 2 Rail VG

Interesting Chris. I was unaware Gilmaur made a U-50 kit, but they certainly could have. It's a very well assembled model with some very fine details. At first I thought it might be a repowered OMI unit, but the trucks are not OMI and the span bolster doesn't look like what OMI used back in the day.

I am going to back Maroon on this one - and go a step further. The photos posted here have high enough resolution that you can blow up the sides and look at the door detail. Exact match for the pewter version, and too crisp for the aluminum one.

Yeah boxy. I like boxy. Still driving those 1965 Mustang convertibles, and absolutely hate the curvy styling on new cars.

Back to U P - I admire the paint scheme, and enjoy PAs, E7s, NW2s, GP7s, and this thing in my collection. The only other U P variant I would maybe put up with would be the later turbines (not the double ender and not the coal deal)

The Centennial leaves me cold, as does the six axle variant of this thing. And I have no chop-nose locomotives. None!

If we all liked the same thing life would be dull indeed.

I believe the trucks are CLW Commonwealth (AAR B) trucks done with lost wax and are brass. I have a set still in kit form. Not to be confused with Lou's latest offering.

Jay

I have a pair of fully sprung "Car Works" trucks like that under a Ken Krayer FA. They look massive, and match the sand castings.
Post a photo of Lou's latest. He doesn't get much "press" and his business deserves a boost.

bob turner wrote:I am going to back Maroon on this one - and go a step further.

Ok, I was wrong and Maroon's right. I say that because I went back and looked again at TrainZ's photos. When I looked at the open cab windows it became clear that the shell is too thick to have been made from brass folded to shape.

Most of us are wrong once in a while - for instance, here is another photo with a wheel off the track (track since re=gauged).
This is a pair of Ken Krayer FAs - the one on the left (painted by me) has sand cast trucks; the one on the right (now highly polished) has the Car Works fully sprung trucks. If I was wealthy, all of my Alco four axle trucks would be Car Works. They really did some good stuff.

CLW did good stuff, and not-so-good stuff, depending on the pattern maker. The PA trucks are the best on the market - better than PSC, in my opinion. Maybe not better than Key, but close enough for me. The four wheel Alco trucks? not so much. Not going to mention that later PA nose (yuk!).

Herewith:

bob turner wrote:Most of us are wrong once in a while - for instance, here is another photo with a wheel off the track (track since re=gauged).
This is a pair of Ken Krayer FAs - the one on the left (painted by me) has sand cast trucks; the one on the right (now highly polished) has the Car Works fully sprung trucks. If I was wealthy, all of my Alco four axle trucks would be Car Works. They really did some good stuff.

Bob, I regret to inform you, but you have 2 DIFFERENT castings there. Look at the pilots .... not the same. Number boards are spaced differently, and the hoods appear to be different lengths, among other things. They may both be Ken Krayer, but they are DIFFERENT castings.
The bare body looks shorter to me and has better contours to my eyes. Not dissing your paint....looks great to me!

As for Car Works, that was/is a guy named Stan Richmond. Met him once way back, seemed like a nice enough fellow. Don't know if he is still with us or not.

Rich