Click
on the photos to make them larger As I evolved in S Scale, starting
in the early 90s, I began to be very interested in the PRR. I realized that
the X29 was a must
have car if I was going to model the PRR well. After I
unsuccessfully tried to help 2 other companies get the X29 produced in
plastic, then brass, it became apparent that I was going to have to make them
myself as Lanes Trains. However, I
liked the name Pennsy S Models better, which was started in 1996 with my then
new friend Dan Mastrobuono, and we
have been trying to get the project completed ever since! In June 2005 the
production models arrived albeit some version and decal issues. It will
unfortunately take us into 2007 before all the customers’ cars are shipped. Here is our first X29 pilot model
from May 2001 We have named it “Old Rivets” My finished X29 We have come a
long way
since Old Rivets
was made. Here are some of my finished production models from 2005. Many of
them are a one of a kind because I took our production models and changed
some of the details. |
|
Railway Express Agency Version
The REA version was the car with the largest single production we
made. They were also the cars that were completed first. Since researching the
REA cars, I have become very interested in head end cars. I found that the
versions of the REA car were almost as varied as the X29 freight cars. I simply had to model some of the variations. We allowed for many REA car numbers in the decal
sets. I will even have Shadow Keystone REA cars when I am done. The prototype
REA cars were usually very weathered and dirty. I tried to capture the
weathering and still showcase all the details we worked so hard to get made.
REA 2010
Many of the modifications involved changing the Ajax style power
brake to the vertical brake shaft. I also had to change the poling pockets on
this car to castings that did not have the under coupler cut lever bracket. I
then added the Carmer Cut lever parts, which were made for us by Earl Tuson.
REA 2131
As a present to Dan and me, I wanted to get 10 Dreadnaught end
REA cars made. They were not listed on the order form as a version to be sold. But
since they were never listed on the production breakdown, they also did not get
made either. That did not stop me though, as I took a Dreadnaught end freight
version and made it into a REA car. I did have to rearrange the brake system
somewhat, and run the steam and signal lines. I added trust plates, the REA
brake platform, and all of the extra REA grab irons and steps. I will
definitely be making at least 2 more of these freight to REA conversions.
REA 2351
This car was a painted production run car without many
modifications. It has the 1928 style body with the patch panel, Ajax style brake
and under coupler cut lever.
REA 2429
In case you have not noticed, some of the cars numbers picked are
based on Ford V8 engines like 2351 and 2429. There are other Ford numbers on the decal sheet that I have yet
to use.
Freight Versions
X29 49791
This is the first PRR freight version car that I finished. It is
pretty much right out of the box except I added trust plates. It is the 1924
style body with Patch Panels, under coupler cut lever and vertical brake shaft.
B&O M26
We had the B&O style ladder made from real B&O drawings.
B&O freight car Guru Chris Barkan helped us out a LOT! I chose the
mid-1950s scheme for my car.
Updated
2-25-18
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