Pennsylvania Railroad Locomotive Antennas

Ralph

Remember...it's for fun!
Hey Mark,

Well yes I HAVE wondered about those antennas! They're such a distinctly Pennsy trademark. Interesting info. I haven't modelled any on my PRR diesels but I suppose a set of Athearn handrails would do the trick.

Thanks!
Ralph
 

MCL_RDG

Member
Thusly?

Thusly- they radiated enough to send a signal via the nearby "elements".

Thanks for the note Ralph.

Mark
 

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MCL_RDG

Member
So basically...

..you'd transmit to the nearby wires and the receiver would pick up the signal- pretty kewl. I only added this note to add a pic with the antennas.

Mark:D
 

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brakie

Active Member
Guys I worked on the PRR as a brakeman.. Now when I started working on the PRR in 66 the TPs was being phase out in favor of radios in the engine and cabin car.The trainmen would not begin to see radios till the following year.(67) We used hand signals till then..
 

Ralph

Remember...it's for fun!
Thanks Brakie. Say, how long into your tenure did you see those antennas on PRR, and maybe later, PC units? Its so cool to have railroaders onboard to provide first hand experience!
Ralph
 

D.R.Rosser

New Member
PRR Antenae

Ralph, Don't try to make Athearn railing bits work. CalScale makes complete sets of the exact/correct uprights for most dsl. locos used by the Pennsy I have then on every PRR dsl. on the layout ( around 12 I think), and on each caboose. Looks great on each one. Dave
 

Triplex

Active Member
The system was taken out of service in the 60s. I haven't seen many photos of the antennas on PC units, but I know they existed. I've even seen one shot of a GP7 or 9 from the early 80s, in Conrail patches but still with the trainphone. Don't know if the engine was still running at that time, but the paint showed it had to have run into the late 70s.
 
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