[PRR-talk] Introduction

[Bruce Smith]

On Mon, February 4, 2008 6:23 pm, TJFenske at aol.com wrote:
> Hello all. Tom Fenske here. New Guy reporting in. I am a returning train
> nut without a lot of space to put trains. I am looking into a 'door' size
> layout for a starting point as I have not built anything in years. I
just can't
> get away from that Tuscan red F-7..............:) I have a soft spot for
some
> steam  also. I have been impressed by the Bachman Spectrum products that I
> have seen  but would welcome information on, or favorable pricing of
> alternatives of good  quality. Thank You, Tom

Tom,

Welcome back aboard!  But, you're gonna have to ditch that Tuscan F7. 
There was no such thing!  Now, if you like the EMD "bulldog nose" and
Tuscan, you do have some choices... try the Intermountain FP7 and E7 and
E8 passenger locomotives from several companies.

You don't mention scale, but for a neat idea for a small railroad, see
Scott Perry's Heart of Georgia RR (HOGRR) at http://hogrr.com/   He calls
this the "anti 4 x 8" layout because using a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood cut
into 4 pieces, you get 4 different scenes.  Think sectional, where you can
take the layout apart and store it on shelves and then assemble it in your
living room or garage or dining room, or wherever for an ops session! 
Think about a PRR branch line with G7s (an upcoming PRRPro group project),
or H class 2-8-0s (another upcoming PRRPro project!).   I'm getting set to
build one out of two bi-fold door (four sections) for my daughter.

If that's too much, a great switching layout can be had on a door in N or
HO.  Just don't plan on running mile-long freights or full sized passenger
cars behind that loco <G>!

Bachman (or Botchman as many of us call the company, due to its many
mistakes) does have some nice models.  Their passenger cars (with the
exception of the Pullman) are prototypic PRR models.  Their K4s is OK
although the ones with DCC/sound come with an incorrect whistle and has
been surpassed by more recent releases such as the BLI K4s.  Most of the
stuff that they paint for PRR is bogus, as are offerings from many other
companies... so it is always a good idea to ask before you  buy, if you
care that you accurately model the PRR.

Regards
Bruce

Bruce Smith
Auburn, AL.