What's at Brandywine Hardware?

Bob Yarger · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:41 pm

What 1:1 size engines and equipment are found here?

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10688385&BRD=2250&PAG=461&dept_id=451991&rfi=6
ryarger@rypn.org

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2003 5:48 pm

> What 1:1 size engines and equipment are
> found here?

This equipment is (I'm 99% certain) the remnants of the Brandywine Scenic RR, which operated over the former Octararo/Brandywive Valley RR for a spell in the 1990s. Tom Gears will correct me if I'm wrong, but I recall four PRR MP-54's and a caboose, plus some centercab GE (or similar) switchers (I think Ex-BR&W/US Army 7079 was up there somewhere).........

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

Mike Shirk · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2003 9:22 pm

I believe the "one of a kind" engines referred to in the article are in fact the two ex-RDG FP7's owned by both the Lancaster and Philadelphia NRHS chapters.

http://www.readingrailroad.org

Alan Levy · **Posted:** Mon Dec 22, 2003 11:57 pm

Yes, the engines would be former Reading FP-7's 902 and 903. They are both fully operational and even have cab signals for use over the local Septa / Amtrak system. Every so often someone asks the Brandywine Valley crew why they don't use them when they need extra power. Besides the fact that engines our owned by two different NRHS chapters(and other details), the simple fact is they don't pull freight well. Both engines are still geared for 90 mph. Pulling loaded freight cars at 10 mph is no fun with these boys. Years ago I was on train when they tried.

The coaches from the old Brandywine Scenic I believe were bought by the line that now runs in Cooperstown, NY.

One of the cabooses is a former B&0 Bay-window owned by a friend of mine. It is not in B&0 paint, but will be someday. There are a couple of other cabin cars there as well.

I can give more details if someone wants them.

-Alan Levy

alanl759@aol.com

ge13031 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 23, 2003 7:45 am

> Besides the fact that
> engines our owned by two different NRHS
> chapters(and other details), the simple fact
> is they don't pull freight well. Both
> engines are still geared for 90 mph. Pulling
> loaded freight cars at 10 mph is no fun with
> these boys. Years ago I was on train when
> they tried.

If you think the Fs are bad at this job, you oughta see an E at work at h/a work projects ... not too funny joke!

lamontdc@adelphia.net

Jack A. Siffert · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2003 12:46 am

> If you think the Fs are bad at this job, you
> oughta see an E at work at h/a work projects
> ... not too funny joke!
Yea Like pulling 2 long island coaches on level track with both engines running, WHAT A WASTE!!!but some of us have to do such stupid sh&t. Best fun had was shutting one down and leaving brakes on and having someone wonder why the unit was smoking. GE knows, he was my fireman that day, we giggeled lots

irss@eriecoast.com

Boyd Owens · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2003 8:57 am

I believe the photo below is the type of service GE was referring to for use of an "E".

Boyd

bowens@rypn.org

ge13031 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2003 10:01 am

> I believe the photo below is the type of
> service GE was referring to for use of an
> "E".

Geeze ...thats the one !
Also comes in handy for converting #4 switches to #6 switches and finding weak spots in the track! Nice to have an all-purpose locomotive handy, everybody should have one.

lamontdc@adelphia.net

Boyd Owens · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2003 1:46 pm

Kind of like the all-purpose switch engine used at CSRM in '91 for Railfair - UP DD40X #6936.
Talk about overkill!
It was interesting watching it positioning the flats with the B&O RR Museum's historic locomotives on them for unloading though...

Boyd

bowens@rypn.org

Howard P. · **Posted:** Wed Dec 24, 2003 6:44 pm

When there's a job to do, motive power is motive power... if it runs, it's safe and it has current blue card, use it!

Nice ties, by the way. Are they 7x9? Grade or industrial? Where do you get 'em? And 100% end plates--good move.

hpincus@mindspring.com