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N-scale Varnish Passenger Car User's Guide
 

PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD

UPDATED 10 JAN 2007.

Click here to visit Fred Klein's excellent N-scale Passenger Car website  

Proclaimed to be "The Standard Railroad of the World" the PRR was a road that had a large variety of equipment and a very diverse passenger train operation.  In addition to an extremely large passenger train operation on its own system they also participated in run-through operations in conjunction with a large number of roads, including the Atlantic Coast Line, Burlington Route, Louisville and Nashville, Missouri - Kansas - Texas, Missouri Pacific, New Haven, Norfolk and Western, Richmond Fredricksburg and Potomac, St. Louis - San Francisco (Frisco), Seaboard Air Line, Southern Railway and Union Pacific, as well as being the parent company of the Long Island Railroad.

The following are cars that can be accurately modeled currently in N-scale using available car sides, kits and R-T-R models, including suggestions for modeling PRR bos-express cars.  The list below are recommendations only, based on the best information that I have on-hand.  If you know of additions or corrections that need to be made, or know of suitable decals for lettering these cars, please email me by Clicking Here.

I want to highly recommend a site that has a tremendous amount of information on the PRR.  The PRR.Railfan.net site has a vast amount of information on the Pennsy., including diagrams for most of the passenger cars that were used over the years.  Diagrams for most of the cars listed on this page can be found on this site, just click on the "Equipment Diagrams" link and then on the "Passenger Car" tab at the top of the new page and it will take you into where the classes of cars are listed.  For Pennsy. fans, it is the place to go for all sorts of information!!!

Below is a list of links for the manufacturers featured on this page:
American Limited Models Fine N-Scale Micro-Trains
Brass Car Sides Hell Gate Models M&R Models
Des Plaines Hobbies Inter-Mountain Railway Co. Red Caboose
Eastern Seaboard Models Corp. Lazer Horizons Union Station Products*
Kato USA

NEW SIDES DENOTED IN GOLD.
SERIES CAR TYPE Maker - ITEM # NOTES
  Brook-series 1   P.S. 12 Dup SR - 5 DBR   LH N-3P125   
  Cascade-series 1
 
 
 		   P.S. 10 Rmt - 5 DBR
 
 
 		   DPN 1522
  LH N-3P105
  M&R 60-34/30-34-2 1
  USP 4072*		   
  City of-series 1   P.S. 18 Rmt   LH N-3P18RT   
  Colonial-series 1   P.S. 3 DBR - 1 DR - bar lounge   LH N-3P31BL   1938
  Colonial-series 1   P.S. 3 DBR - 1 DR - bar lounge   LH N-4P31BL   1949
  County-series 1
 		   P.S. 13 DBR
 		   LH N-3P13DB
  USP 4071*		   
  County-series 1, 4
 		   P.S. 10 Rmt - 6 DBR
 		   ESMC 3114 9
  USP 4140B*		   Atlantic Coast Line pool 4
 
  Creek-series 1   P.S. 12 Dup SR - 4 DBR   LH N-4P124   
  Falls-series 1   P.S. 6 DBR - buffet lounge   LH N-3P6BL   1940
  Falls-series 1
 		   P.S. 6 DBR - buffet lounge
 		   LH N-4P6BL
  USP 4131*		   1949
 
  Harbor-series 1   P.S. 2 DBR - buffet lounge   LH 3P2BL   
  Harbor-series 1   P.S. 3 DBR - buffet lounge   LH 4P3BL   
  Imperial-series 1
 
 
 
 		   P.S. 4 DBR - 4 Comp - 4 DR
 
 
 
 		   BCS 173-516
  DPN 1525
  LH N-3P442
  M&R 60-26
  USP 4069H*		   
  Inn-series 1   A.C.F. 21-Rmt   LH N-A21RMT   
  Imperial-series 1   A.C.F. 4 DBR - 4 Comp - 4 DR   LH N-4A442   
  Island-series 1, 4   P.S. 21 Rmt   USP 4156*   Atlantic Coast Line pool 4
  Narrows-series 1
 		   P.S. 1 BR - 2 DR - 1 Comp -
  buffet lounge obs		   LH N-3P4081
 		   
  Rapids-series 1
 		   P.S. 10 Rmt - 6 DBR
 		   BCS 173-533
  LH 4P4129		   
  Rapids-series 1   P.S. 10 Rmt - 6 DBR   LH N-4P106   
  River-series 1, 4   A.C.F. 14 Rmt - 2 DR   USP 3091*   Atlantic Coast Line pool 4
  River-series 1
  		  P.S. 10 Rmt - 6 DBR
 		   ESMC 3114 9
  USP 4140*		   Southern Railway pool 5
  STAND-IN
  Silver Rapids
 		   Budd 10 Rmt - 6 DBR
 		   Kato R-T-R
  USP 9509*		   California Zephyr pool
 
  View-series 1
 		   P.S. 1 BR - 2 MR - buffet -
  lounge observation		   LH N-3P4080A
 		   
 
  1120 - 1131 6
 		   PRR diner - lounge obs
 		   LH N-POC70R 2, 7
 		   Modernized Heavyweight
  STAND-IN
  1123, 1125, 1127 and 1128 6
 		   PRR cafe - lounge
  		  LH N-PLC70R 2, 7
 		   Modernized Heavyweight
  STAND-IN
  1800 - 1999
  2000 - 2499
 		   40' X29 box - express
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose		   see note 10.
 
 
  4043, 4044   P.S. 54-seat coach   USP 7593*   Atlantic Coast Line pool 4
  4068 - 4091
 
 		   A.C.F. 44-seat coach
 
 		   BCS 173-532
  DPN1530**
  LH N-P85B		   
  4100 - 4169
 
 		   PRR 44-seat coach
 
 		   BCS 173-532
  DPN1530**
  LH N-P85B		   
 
 
  4194 - 4243
 		   PRR 68-seat coach
 		   LH N-P70GSR 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight
  STAND-IN
  4244 - 4309
 		   PRR 56-seat coach
 		   LH N-P70KR 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight
  STAND-IN
  4439, 4457
  		  PRR dining car
  		  LH N-D70ASR 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4460 ~ 4499 8
  		  PRR diner - lounge
 		   LH N-D78D
 		   Modernized Heavyweight3
  STAND-IN
  4507 - 4511   ACF dining car   LH N-D82C   
  4512 - 4517   P.S. dining car   LH N-P3KP   
  4590 - 4598 (even only)
 		   PRR twin-unit diner
  table car		   LH N-D85C
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4591 - 4599 (odd only)
 		   PRR twin-unit diner
  kichen - dorm		   LH N-D85D
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4600 - 4608 (even only)
 		   A.C.F. twin-unit diner
  table car		   LH N-A4FLD
 		   
  4601 - 4609 (odd only)
 		   A.C.F. twin-unit diner
  kichen - dorm		   LH N-A4KD
 		   
  4681, 4683, 4689, 4691, 4693
 		   PRR twin - unit diner
  kitchen - lunch counter		   LH N-D70ER 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4682 - 4698 (even only)
  		  PRR twin - unit diner
  table car		   LH N-D70CR 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4685, 4687, 4695, 4697
 		   PRR twin - unit diner
  kitchen - dorm		   LH N-D70DR 2
 		   Modernized Heavyweight2
  STAND-IN
  4800 - 4999
  5200 - 5539
 		   40' X29 box - express
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose		   see note 10.
 
 
  5264 - 5285   HW baggage - mail   HGM BM70k   
  5294, 5311 - 5398   HW baggage - mail   HGM BM70k   
  6691 - 6694   ACF baggage - dorm   LH N-BD85   
  6695 - 6699   ACF baggage - lounge   LH N-PLB85R   
  6701 - 6706
 		   PRR baggage - dorm - buffet
  lounge		   LH N-PDB70R 8
 		   Modernized Heavyweight8
  STAND-IN
  6800 - 6999
 
 		   40' X29 box - express
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose		   see note 10.
 
 
  7300 - 7302   ACF recreation room - lounge   LH N-PLC85   
  7330, 7434 - 7500   HW baggage - mail   HGM BM70k   
  7550 - 7705   HW baggage - mail   HGM BM70k   
  7708 - 7720   HW baggage - express   HGM B60b   
  7797 - 7939   HW baggage - express   HGM B60b   
  9000 - 9199
 
 		   40' X29 box - express
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose		   see note 10.
 
 
  9010 - 9399, 9403   HW baggage - express   HGM B60b   
  9446, 9448   HW baggage - mail   HGM BM70k   
  9450 - 9594
  9610 - 9999
 		   40' X29 box - express
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose		   see note 10.
 
 
  49314 - 57641
  97949-103324
  100013 - 103319
  566091-574090		   40' X29 box - express
 
 
 		   Fine N-scale
  Micro-Trains 10
  Red Caboose
 		   see note 10.
 
 
 

Abbreviations:
  A.C.F. - American Car and Foundry   DBR - double bedroom   obs. - observation
  BE - blunt end   DR - drawing room   P.S. - Pullman - Standard
  Comp - compartment   Dup - duplex   Sect - section
  Dorm - dormitory   Encl - enclosed   SR - single room
  HW - heavyweight

* - It should be noted that the Union Station Products are Craftsman-level kits.  Some clean-up of parts and assembly is required, and care must be exercised when assembling these sides because of the delicate parts.

** - These Des Plaines Hobbies passenger cars are now available assembled from Intermountain Railway Co.  Please check their website using the link above to check for availability.

Note 1:  All Pennsylvania sleepers and parlor cars received names.  The following is a listing of car names for passenger cars covered within this table.

  • Brook-series cars containing 12 Dupl SR - 5 DBR carried the following names:
    Magic Brook Maple Brook May Brook Mill Brook Morning Brook
    Maiden Brook Mar Brook Meadow Brook Mineral Brook Morrow Brook
    Major Brook Marsh Brook Memory Brook Mirror Brook Mystic Brook
    Manor Brook Martin Brook Middle Brook Moor Brook

  • Cascade-series cars containing 10 Rmt - 5 DBR carried the following names:
    Cascade Bay Cascade Crag Cascade Hills Cascade Mirage Cascade Range
    Cascade Bend Cascade Den Cascade Hollow Cascade Park Cascade Rapids
    Cascade Bower Cascade Echo Cascade Knoll Cascade Pass Cascade Ravine
    Cascade Brim Cascade Falls Cascade Lake Cascade Peak Cascade Roar
    Cascade Brink Cascade Forest Cascade Ledge Cascade Pinnacle Cascade Slope
    Cascade Canyon Cascade Gardens Cascade Mantle Cascade Plateau Cascade Terrace
    Cascade Chasm Cascade Gorge Cascade Meadow Cascade Pond Cascade Timber
    Cascade Cliff Cascade Heights Cascade Melody Cascade Pool Cascade Trails
    Cascade Cove

  • City of-series cars containing carried the following names:
    City of Akron City of Elizabeth City of Lancaster City of Philadelphia City of Washington
    City of Altoona City of Erie City of Louisville City of Pittsburgh City of Wheeling
    City of Baltimore City of Ft. Wayne City of Newark City of Reading City of Williamsport
    City of Camden City of Gary City of New Brunswick City of St. Louis City of Wilmington
    City of Canton City of Harrisburg City of New York City of Terre Haute City of York
    City of Cincinnatti City of Johnstown City of Norfolk City of Trenton City of Youngstown
    City of Columbus

  • Colonial-series (1938) cars containing carried the following names:
    Colonial Congress Colonial Fathers Colonial Inns Colonial Stages Colonial Trails
    Colonial Dames Colonial Governors Colonial Mansions Colonial Statesman

  • Colonial-series (1949) cars containing carried the following names:
    Colonial Arms Colonial Crafts Colonial Flags Colonial Lanterns
    Colonial Cabins Colonial Doorways Colonial Houses Colonial Scouts

  • County-series cars containing 13 DBR carried the following names:
    Alleghany County Hamilton County Lake County New York County
    Cambria County Jefferson County Lancaster County Philadelphia County

  • County-series cars containing 10 Rmt - 6 DBR (ACL pool) carried the following names:
    Baltimore County Chester County Hudson County
    Becks County Delaware County Union County

  • Creek-series cars containing 12 Dupl SR - 4 DBR carried the following names:
    Cabin Creek Cherry Creek Cliff Creek College Creek Crane Creek
    Cedar Creek Chickies Creek Cloud Creek Conawago Creek Cross Creek
    Center Creek Chimney Creek Club Creek Connoquenessing Creek Crystal Creek
    Chartiers Creek Chippewa Creek Clyde Creek Conodoguinet Creek Cypress Creek
    Chatham Creek Clear Creek Coldwater Creek Country Creek

  • Falls-series (1940) cars containing 6 DBR - buffet lounge carried the following names:
    Birch Falls Cypress Falls Hickory Falls Maple Falls Spruce Falls
    Butternut Falls Elm Falls Juniper Falls Oak Falls Sycamore Falls
    Cedar Falls Hemlock Falls Locust Falls Pine Falls

  • Falls-series (1949) cars containing 6 DBR - buffet lounge carried the following names:
    Alder Falls Beech Falls Fir Falls Linden Falls Sassafras Falls
    Aspen Falls Catalpa Falls Larch Falls Palm Falls Sumac Falls
    Balsam Falls

  • Harbor-series cars containing 2 DBR - buffet lounge carried the following names:   Harbor Point      Harbor Springs

  • Harbor-series cars containing 3 DBR - buffet lounge carried the following names:   Harbor Cove      Harbor Rest

  • Imperial-series cars built by Pullman - Standard containing 4 DBR - 4 Comp - 2 DR carried the following names:
    Imperial Crest Imperial Park Imperial Point Imperial Terrace
    Imperial Lawn Imperial Path Imperial Plateau Imperial Trail
    Imperial Mantle Imperial Pass Imperial Range Imperial View

  • Inn-series cars built by A.C.F. containing 21 - Rmt. carried the following names:
    Vincennes Inn Wilkes Barre Inn Wooster Inn Zanesville Inn
    Warsaw Inn Wilkinsburg Inn Xenia Inn

  • Imperial-series cars built by A.C.F. containing 4 DBR - 4 Comp - 2 DR carried the following names:
    Imperial Bench Imperial Cliff Imperial Lea Imperial Peak Imperial Terrain
    Imperial Bower Imperial Fields Imperial Loch Imperial Ridge Imperial Trees
    Imperial Brink Imperial Hills Imperial Meadows Imperial Road Imperial Vale

  • Island-series cars containing 21 Rmt carried the following names:   Governors Island      Staten Island

  • Narrows-series cars containing 1 BR - 2 DR - 1 Comp - buffet lounge obs carried the following names:
    Jacks Narrows Juniata Narrows Lewistown Narrows

  • Rapids-series (Plan 4129) cars containing 10 Rmt - 6 DBR carried the following names:
    Catawissa Rapids Conestoga Rapids Iroquois Rapids Kaskaskia Rapids Manitee Rapids
    Clarion Rapids Conewago Rapids Kalamazoo Rapids Lehigh Rapids Monongahela Rapids
    Clearfield Rapids Fishing Rapids Kankakee Rapids Little Miami Rapids Muskegon Rapids
    Conemaugh Rapids Illinois Rapids

  • Rapids-series (Plan 4140) cars containing 10 Rmt - 6 DBR carried the following names:
    Juniata Rapids Raritan Rapids Sherman Rapids Tippecanoe Rapids TuscaroraRapids
    Mackinaw Rapids Sangamon Rapids Stoney Rapids Towanda Rapids Wheeling Rapids
    Octoraro Rapids Schuylkill Rapids Swatara Rapids Turtle Rapids Wills Rapids
    Racoon Rapids Shenango Rapids Tioga Rapids

  • River-series cars containing 14 Rmt - 2 DR carried the following names:   Anacostia River      Hackensack River

  • River-series cars containing 10 Rnt - 6 DBR carried the following names:
    Birch River Delaaware River Patapsco River Schuylkill River
    Bush River Middle River Raritan River Susquehanna River

    Note 2:  These cars were modernized in PRR's Altoona, Pa. car shop (the same car shop that now houses and maintains Norfolk Southern's extensive fleet of business train equipment).  When rebuild they received streamline profiled roofs and semi-flat (slightly tapered) ends.  Most of these cars also retained their distinctive rivetted side panels except in the window area.  These sides allow a modeler to create a reasonable replica of these modernized cars, though they do not have the rivet detail common to the cars.

    Note 3:  These cars were modernized in PRR's Altoona, Pa. car shop.  When built the original rivetted sides were retained while new sealed windows replaced the sash-type windows.  Cars 4466, 4471, 4499 retained their clestory roofs while cars 4470, 4474, 4475, 4478, 4486, 4490 - 4492, 4494 and 4497 received arch roofs when they were rebuilt.  These sides allow a modeler to create a reasonable replica of these modernized cars, though they do not have the rivet detail common to the cars.

    Note 4:  When these cars were built they received Royal Purple paint on their letterboard with silver PRR-styled "Pennsylvania" lettering.  At a later date these cars had their letterboards painted tuscan red with gold PRR-styled "Pennsylvania" lettering.

    Note 5:  These cars were built as a part of a large order by Southern Railway for lightweight equipment to re-equip several major passenger trains.  These cars carried gothic PRR lettering in black applied to the natural stainless steel letterboards.

    Note 6:  It is unclear whether or not 1120 and 1121 had their original sash windows replaced by sealed (streamline-type) windows.  Originally they had the sash-type windows found on heavyweights and they may not have been rebuilt to match later cars.

    Note 7:  At the present time there is not an appropriate core kit for building these cars and they are only mentioned as a matter of record.

    Note 8:  At the present time there is not an appropriate core kit for building these cars (they featured a tapered end with level roof on the vestibule end and an unknown end on the baggage end with a rounded roof end) and they are only mentioned as a matter of record.

    Note 9:  The Eastern Scale Models Pullman - Standard 4140B sleeper is an accurate model for the County-series sleepers, and a reasonable "stand-in" for the River-series cars that operated in pool service with the Southern Railway.

    Note 10:  The models listed for the PRR X29 40' express-box cars are only recommendations since details of individual cars tended to vary from car to car, and not all number series were used through out these cars' careers.  While probably the most varied of the group is the Red Caboose listings it is reasonable to believe that prototypes can be found for nearly any of the cars involved without much of an effort.  It also should be noted that the Micro-Trains listing is only a STAND-IN because the model is an ARR boxcar, not a PRR X29, though they are very similar in most body detail.
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