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Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: Frankford el car on January 15, 2008, 07:39:47 AM

Title: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Frankford el car on January 15, 2008, 07:39:47 AM
Dear Mr. Bachmann;

Being a long-time owner of a fleet of PCC's and Brill Suburbans, I was tickled when the Peter Witt was released. Are there any chances in the near term, that the current all-electric PCC's might be supplemented with a pre-war air-electric PCC, on either the same chassis, or a new one similar to that for the Peter Witt's? Adding those would fill in the late 1930's gap, in my trolley roster.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Dr EMD on January 15, 2008, 09:46:58 PM
I like what IHP plans to offer (as well as model he has now).

The got what you want (you knew that all along).
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Frankford el car on January 17, 2008, 12:52:15 PM
Yes they do, at roughly double the cost of the Bachmann Peter Witt. If I can get two cars for the same purchase price as I now will have to pay for one, why would I not go for the more affordable deal? That's why the prototype operators put out bids to multiple suppliers, for new carsm buses, etc. To purchase from the lowest responsible bidder. Or do you always buy brass, when an affordable plastic alternative (Bachmann or someone else's) is available?

If Bachmann can do it with or without DCC, more cost-effectively, then they get my business, just as they have for the past thirty-plus years.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: PhilipCal on January 17, 2008, 08:29:42 PM
Just recieved my first Peter Witt car. Lettered/painted for Los Angeles Transit Lines. Beautiful job across the board. Would love to see some upgraded PCC's in both pre-war air-electric and post war P-3 all electric. Offer them in the same schemes as the Peter Witts,and I believe Bachmann will have another winner.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Frankford el car on January 20, 2008, 03:34:55 PM
Whether a copy of a Los Angeles air-electric, or one from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or Brooklyn. The difference in body style between the pre-war, and post-war PCC's alone, would be a selling point. Even if nothing more than a retrofit body for the current cars.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: japasha on January 20, 2008, 07:12:22 PM
Go to the Con-Cor website. They are talking about just this subject. It appears that the pre-war version will be the first.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Conrail Quality on January 20, 2008, 08:15:53 PM
Con-Cor? Well, that's a bolt out of the blue. One usually doesn't think of them for traction models. The MP-54 is pretty suprising too, I'll definately be watching that.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Frankford el car on January 21, 2008, 01:02:44 PM
I think the current economy has a lot to do with it. With the escalating costs of manufacturing an operating model, a trolley is a lot more cost-effective, than a five, ten, or twenty-car freight train, with two diesels.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Custom Traxx on January 21, 2008, 06:44:09 PM
Apparently, Con-Cor is working on this car and according to their website, it will be out in late 2008!
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: the Bach-man on January 22, 2008, 12:12:14 AM
Dear All,
We are very heartened by the response to the Peter Witts. I hope we will see more traction down the road, but nothing has been announced at this time.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Dr EMD on January 22, 2008, 09:50:01 PM
Quote from: Conrail Quality on January 20, 2008, 08:15:53 PM
Con-Cor? Well, that's a bolt out of the blue. One usually doesn't think of them for traction models. The MP-54 is pretty suprising too, I'll definately be watching that.

The way I read it, the PRR stuff is a P-54 (coach), and not a MP54 (MU Cars). I don't know why ConCor list it as a mP-54 (lower case "M"). ???
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Doug.Oaks on January 23, 2008, 02:44:58 PM
I bought my first traction model in 1960, and have been buying, and a bit of selling, since. I know that it has been said before, but the Peter Witt is a really fine model by any standards.
My suggestion (you get lots of these) for next is a Cincinnati curve sider. Many companies bought these for both city and interurban service, and there have been few models made in HO.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Frankford el car on February 07, 2008, 08:05:07 PM
Another alternative would be a steel-bodied, double-ended, trolley, with an arch roof, roof vents, with straight sides, similar to hundreds of these cars that ran in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, and other medium and large US cities.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: Paul M. on February 07, 2008, 08:56:48 PM
Quote from: PhilipCal on January 17, 2008, 08:29:42 PM
Just recieved my first Peter Witt car. Lettered/painted for Los Angeles Transit Lines. Beautiful job across the board. Would love to see some upgraded PCC's in both pre-war air-electric and post war P-3 all electric. Offer them in the same schemes as the Peter Witts,and I believe Bachmann will have another winner.

The LA cars are red & white, right?
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: PhilipCal on February 08, 2008, 08:54:17 PM
LA cars are in the yellow/green/white of LARY successor, Los Angeles Transit Lines. Beautiful painting and lettering by Bachmann.
Title: Re: Pre-war air-electric PCC trolleys.
Post by: the Bach-man on February 08, 2008, 11:30:37 PM
Dear All,
Here is an announcement you'll like- we are redoing our PCC cars in the same color schemes as the Peter Witts. Delivery and details TBA.
Have fun!
the Bach-man