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I’ve been slowly building out a Pennsylvania Railroad-themed fleet that spans from the 1930s to the early Amtrak era. It’s been one of the most rewarding long-term projects because you really get to explore the evolution of railroading through one consistent lens.
For the steam era, I started with a K4 Pacific and an M1a Mountain—icons of PRR power. Moving into the transition period, I added early diesels like the Baldwin Sharknose and the classic GG1 electric, which bridges steam and electric beautifully. Then for the 1960s and beyond, I’ve included E-units in Tuscan red and even some patched Penn Central diesels to show the slow fade of the PRR identity.
Researching the paint schemes was half the fun—I leaned heavily on historical photos, PRR modeler groups, and books like Pennsy Diesel Years. Details like keystone logos, pilot skirts, and radio antennas help anchor each engine in its time period.
The layout definitely evolved too—I added catenary sections for electrics, changed signage and vehicles to reflect different decades, and even weathered older locos more heavily to represent aging stock.
It’s like watching the railroad age in real-time on your own layout. Anyone else doing a multi-era fleet?