HO PRR diesel models

• Stewart*@
• A.C. Gilbert
• Model Power
• Varney

• Stewart*@

• Stewart@
• Athearn*@
• Bachmann Plus*@

• Atlas@

• Atlas (phase 3, same body style as phase 1 GP9)@
• Front Range*@

• Walthers Trainline (has incorrect low nose)
• Athearn (body is actually a GP7)
• Model Power
• Front Range*@ (phase 2 and phase 3 available)
• Lifelike Proto 2000 (phase 3, not yet released)
• E&C Shops (phase 3, not yet released)

• E&C Shops (not yet released)

• Bachmann Spectrum*@

• Athearn
• Kato@
• Bachmann Plus*@

• Kato*@
• Varney

• LifeLike Proto 2000*@

• Athearn*@
• LifeLike Proto 2000*@

• Con-Cor@
• IHC@
• Atlas@
• PEMCO

• Kato@
• IHC

• Bachmann Spectrum@
• Athearn*@ (hood too wide)
• Kato (not yet released)

• Walthers
• Model Power (detail is incorrect)
• AHM (detail is incorrect)

• Athearn* (hood is likely too wide)

• LifeLike Proto 2000*@

• LifeLike Proto 2000

Fairbanks-Morse

Model	Phase	Manufacturer	Detail	Notes
C-Liner A		AHM/IHC	Fair	2
C-Liner B		AHM/IHC	Fair	3
Erie-Built A/B		Novatech Plastics		12
H10-44		Walthers	Very Good	1 2 4
H12-44		Walthers	Very Good	13
H16-44	4	Bachmann Spectrum	Good	1 2 15
	4	Bowser(Cary)	Good	3 11 15
H12-44		None
H24-66(Trainmaster)	4	Athearn	Good	16

Notes

The Cary Model Works white metal H-10-44 body is an accurate representation of the first FM shifter model used by the Pennsy. It requires a stock or modified (lengthened to get correct truck spacing) Athearn SW7/9 frame or an extremely rare out-of production Smokey Valley frame designed for the Cary body.

To accurately model one of the 15 PRR H-12-44s, the three sets of wide louvers on either side of the hood need to be removed. A screen/grating needs placed on the hood above the second door in front of the cab (which also has such an opening. Two sets of six louvers the width of the cabinet doors need to be placed above the second and third sets of cabinet doors. The edges of the twin louvers should be in line with the center of the second and third set of cabinet doors.

In September 1952 the Loewy-styling was simplified by elimination of the bump on top of the nose and the removal of the steam-style roof overhang over the rear platform. All 15 of the Pennsy's H-12-44s, 8708-8723 were built after the change. To accurately model a Pennsy H-12-44, the Custom Finishing conversion kit (Walthers part # 247-264, @$9.49 list) must be installed on the Walthers body to accurately model this engine.

The Walthers "H-10/12-44" could be the basis for a model of the 38 H-20-44s used by the Pennsylvania. The height (14'6") of the H-20-44 long hood was the same but it was was 4" wider (10'2" vs 10'6") than the H-10/12-44 and the entire unit was, and 2'10" longer (48'2" vs. 51'0") over strikers than the earlier models. There is a triple screened air intake (two screened rectangular openings on either side of the hood immediately in front of the cab) and four H-10-44 size sets of louvers on the hood side, each one centered over one of the first four cabinets doors immediately behind the large louvered radiator intake on either side of the hood.

Cary Model Works also makes white metal bodies for an FM H-16-44. Apparently Bowser now has a mechanism and they sell as Bowser units.

Baby Trainmaster: Bachmann's is a late (Ph4?) H-16-44 with high walkways all around. The PRR had an earlier version (PhII?) with low walkways.

General Electric

Model	Phase	Manufacturer	Detail	Notes
44 ton switcher		Bachmann Spectrum	Very good	1 2 3
U25B	1,4	Stewart	Very good	1 2 3
U25C		AHM	Good	1 3
		Rivarossi	Good	1 2 3
U28C		Athearn	good
U30C		Athearn	good	1 2

Lima

Model	Phase	Manufacturer	Detail	Notes
T-2500		None

Detail ratings

Excellent

Very detailed and accurate.

Very Good

Detail is better than average.

Good

Detail is passable, close enough for most people.

Fair

Trainset quality detail.

Poor

Very crude detail.

Notes

Note 1

Available in prototypical paint scheme.

Note 2

Page author owns this model.

Note 3

This model is out of production.

Note 4

This model no longer being produced in prototypical paint scheme.

Note 5

Hood is too wide, generally because the shell was designed for a larger motor.

Note 6

Not yet in production.

Note 7

Produced in a high nose variation not correct for the Pennsylvania's low nose units.

Note 8

Produced in a low nose variation not correct for the Pennsylvania's high nose units.

Note 9

Units were delivered after the Penn Central merger was commenced, in PC "squiggle" scheme.

Note 10

It's very nice, with a Kato drive like the rest of the Atlas RS units, but it's too short since they reused the RS-3 chassis.

Note 11

Kit is made of white metal castings.

Note 12

Requires Athearn PA chassis.

Note 13

Requires Walthers conversion kit.

Note 14

Requires Smokey Valley conversion kit.

Note 15

Pennsy owned the phase 2 variant, which did not use the Baby Trainmaster body style, which makes this incorrect.

Note 16

Pennsy owned the phase 2 variant, which makes the detail on this unit slightly incorrect.

Credits

• Rich Orr for providing several entries and corrections.
• Jerry Jordak for providing info about the GP9 and U25C.
• Tom Vondruska for providing info about the FM hood units.
• Bill Laird for providing various corrections and additional entries.
• Bill Gripp for obtaining several of these models which are out of production for my collection, as well as modeling info.
• Rob Schoenberg for inspiring the format of this with his freight car pages.