[PRR-talk] Three MP54 questions

[Bruce Smith]

>> From: Bruce Smith <smithbf at auburn.edu>
Note that these cars were class MP54T, know as
>> trailers, and
>> were equipped with a control stand and electric heat, so
>> there were
>> electric jumpers and MU controls from the powered car,
>> however, the
>> MP54T cars did not have traction motors.  The pantograph
>> equipped
>> cars that they were paired with had larger traction motors
>> to
>> compensate.
>
> Let us not forget also that there were scads of MP54 coaches (MP54A, I
> think) and their baggage, baggage-mail, and coach-baggage brethern on the
> Pittsburgh and Conemaugh divisions and perhaps elsewhere outside the
> electrified territory.
>
> Bob Netzlof a/k/a Sweet Old Bob

Actually, to the best of our knowledge, the MP54A class was never built. 
The MP54 was always the dominant "steam hauled" coach class of these cars.

Although it wasn't stated explicitly, I think the original question dealt
with MUs without pantographs.  Obviously, these steam hauled coaches were
not equipped with any traction motors.  They also had steam, rather than
electric heat, although they did have batteries and generators for the
lighting system.

Regards
Bruce

Bruce Smith
Auburn, AL