MTH PRR Centipedes November 2019

I had a request to film these beasts again. This time I had it pull a mail/express train with some coaches tacked on the end, just before these Baldwins were derated and regeared to lug freight. I included several runs by the newly installed Federal Servo factory.

[@johnhirtle4300]

Absolutely gorgeous! 💯

[@mikeyanello3664]

You have by far the best level of detail and realism. I really enjoy watching your videos. So real looking

[@normstrains]

Cool thanks man!

[@mjc6184]

The realism and attention to detail on this layout is second to none! Unreal craftsmanship.

[@tonyvillella5457]

My dad was a crew member on #5811 and was killed in a head on in that engine on December 3, 1955. I was 5 years old on that awful day and still remember it like it was yesterday. I have the same models in my collection but have never set them up due to space requirements. Thanks for your great video. I really enjoyed it and you other ones that I am now binge watching.

[@normstrains]

Oh wow, sorry to hear about your dad! Is your dad’s story published somewhere? Where did the wreck happen?

[@tonyvillella5457]

@@normstrains You can go to the Altoona Mirror archives for that weekend. My oldest sister and I did an interview with the Mirror on then 50th anniversary of that day. You can also go to the NTSB records for it also. The accident happened near Loretto. A priest from the nearby University came and administered my dad the Last Rights as workers were trying to extract him from the wreckage but his injuries were to severe and he passed before they could free him. I have a copy of that interview, if you like I can send it to you.

[@franciscorosa6221]

I have the same centipede and I have had for 10 years and she runs like she was bought yesterday one of my favorites in my collection

[@nkp756]

Wow what an amazing layout! The variety of locos and the details and weathering, excellent buildings bravo!

[@TrainLordJC]

Superb! Beautifully weathered engines and rolling stock certainly add to the overall pleasure of watching your trains at work. Well done.

[@MrTaylorTexas]

Very nice!

[@frankceeko4596]

You definitely have an artistic eye the background buildings are very well done but not so cluttered with detail that they pull your eyes away from the trains it's just beautifully done

[@JDStucks]

Stunning video, Norm! As always, I'm blown away by your layout.

[@normstrains]

Thanks man, did you start your MI layout yet?

[@JDStucks]

Currently working on finishing the basement. Hope to start bench work this winter. Charlie is supposed to come over tonight actually to help.

[@luvindemtrains]

JD, will you be documenting the build?

[@Modeltrains]

Norm, another excellent video. I always enjoy watching your layout. Cheers, Kevin

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Great video! Great looking locomotive! Thanks for sharing!

[@Aatrains512]

I’ve been a model railfan my entire life and have just now discovered your channel. Where have you been my whole life

[@normstrains]

Andrew Agront in my basement.

[@greatsmokymtnsrailfan]

@@normstrains LOL

[@ajmayowskijr]

I love the Fesco building. Really awesome Pennsy action. Thanks Norm.

[@normstrains]

ajmayowskijr glad you liked the new building. It replaced my old modified Harry Heike kit and the flat next to it. Sold the Harry kit at York. The new one can be seen here on the OGR scenery forum: ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/federal-servo-ii

[@eugeeropel5572]

I have the first set of MTH Premiere Centipedes that came out, approximately 20 years ago. Do you have an opinion on those as far as comparison, I realize that the ones that you have on this video are much better as far as being state of the art, they sure seem like it. They’re outstanding, I assume they’re 3.0 where what I have is 2.0 an extreme noticeable all around difference. Have a great holiday weekend. Thank you.

[@normstrains]

These were upgraded to TMCC some time ago using Electric RR components. They were originally Proto 1. I’d like to revisit these someday and make some 3D printed speaker 🔈 enclosures.

[@nickltrains6952]

Norm I enjoy seeing your engine in there weathering paint scheme. Nice train action. Greetings Nick from New Jersey

[@mytrainhobby5318]

Always a great video, thanks.

[@CalebsTrains]

Awesome. Also we picked up the Blu-ray of your layouts from I Love Toy Trains this weekend. Great job as always. Happy Railroading!!!!

[@Willysmb44]

Another fine video, Norm! I heard someone at a model train show over last weekend talking smack about 3-rail. I said, "Yeah, check this out," showing him a couple of your videos here. He actually said he stood corrected...

[@frankmmiii]

Hey Norm, You should probably do a video on how you weather your locomotives. I like the nice new look of my Lionel locomotives but being able to make it look like it just came off the mainline or out of a railyard would make any layout look good.

[@normstrains]

The M1a and J1a vids have some weathering info along with the Atlas GP7 vids. I’ve yet to do a standalone weathering video. It would be rare for me to just weather something without doing a series of mods first.

[@luvindemtrains]

Norm, again you're the man! Every time I watch a new vid of yours or re-watch I always find another element of detail that gives me a wow moment. The units look fabulous. Around 7:10 it looks like the lead unit is actually talking, lol and it's perfect because the horn is blowing.

[@normstrains]

luvindemtrains haha you’re right! Thx for the kind words!

[@jimbobdrg3247]

It's too bad none of these locomotives survived for preservation! Each locomotive was 91 feet in length. An F3 is roughly 50 feet in length. Very realistic and nice layout! A pleasure to watch and listen.

[@1940limited]

Poor Baldwin. They had a hell of a time trying to make diesels. The centipedes were a total flop and a maintenance headache. I get the impression you're reluctant to even run them in O scale! :-) Beautiful layout. I've watched all your videos and enjoy them all.

[@normstrains]

g bridgman they just look awful in the curves or going through switches.

[@vickyrule8333]

?

[@normstrains]

@@vickyrule8333 they look a little goofy running through the relatively tight curves and switches of my layout. And like the real thing, a bit of a maintenance headache with 4 runny smoke units and pickup rollers that used to pick my switches before I had my center rail ramps in place.

[@АлександрКалинин-ц6г]

Господи, мужик, страшно представить, сколько денег ты вложил в это😮 Один Centepiede не самое дешёвое удовольствие😂 Однозначно респект за этот макет 👍

[@ThePeejRR]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@berthasitumorang9982]

Hebat!

[@rhbeadlejr]

I wonder why the PRR ever built those monstrosities.

[@justinp7497]

Those are really nice, still cant beat those vision ones though

[@normstrains]

Yeah I'd rather have the Legacy ones, just don't want to part with the cash for them. Maybe if I sell these off one day...

[@billligon4005]

Broadway Ltd made this loco, but it was a complete failure. Returned it after two days.

[@normstrains]

Sorry to hear it, I thought they made nice stuff.

[@326dad]

This guy has gotta be a millionaire

[@DistanceNsVeterans]

Wait if the other unit turns on and gose the other way dose the marker lights pose To turn green

[@eriktrainzfan9429]

Thanks for doing this Norm, do you happen to have a Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster?, it's my most favorite diesel ever

[@normstrains]

No I do not have a Train Master. I think PRR only had 9. Might be worth getting in 3 rail if 3rd Rail made one. I did have this FM H16-44 up until last Oct. York when I sold it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKvKoaNtZtR-la8

[@eriktrainzfan9429]

@@normstrains Would you be able to locate any NYC coaches or even Pacemaker boxcars to run your NYC collection with?

[@normstrains]

Erik Swanson I sold all my NYC motive power at October York. Both Mohawks are gone along with some nice Atlas F2s and a bunch of other stuff I never filmed. I do have a new Legacy Hudson coming and I have a nice set of GGD cars for it.

[@kevinzeh3559]

I see a building that says Stobe's on it. Is the in reference to Stobe the Hobo?

[@normstrains]

Kevin Zeh yes sir. I miss him!

[@ldever3]

Do the smoke units work independent of each other?

[@normstrains]

Each engine has its own TMCC controls. Both smoke units are wired to turn on and off together in each engine. These are the original MTH Proto 1 smoke units with the dual elements that respond to voltage input. Of course they are running almost full blast with this setup. A 'hobby within a hobby' is the research of and experimenting with electronics, which 3 rail O gauge has an interesting history of.

[@Greatdome99]

Nice model, but it's missing the truck-to-truck connection in the middle, similar to electric locos of the same configuration (GG-1, Little Joes, etc.). The carbody was not structural, carried no coupler loads.

[@normstrains]

Greatdome99 this model was designed by MTH to operate on pretty sharp curves. I believe it can survive O72, maybe even sharper. They did a great job on this beast.