Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - Printable Version

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Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - P5se Camelback - 11-28-2010

Today, at a train show in Ft. Myers Florida (of all places) I acquired an 8x10 glossy B&W of Reading Scale Test Car #91210, plus a nice B&W 8x10 glossy of RDG 4-wheel "bobber" caboose #90077 which will aid in adding the final detailing to my "Building a Small Fleet of Very Small Cabooses," which I just may resurect as my "End-of-Year Challenge" project ... I'll have to think about that ... I don't want to just jump into anything without proper consideration, know what I mean?

But my real questions relate to the former photo. According to data stenciled on the side of #91210, it was built in 3-26. A "recent" calibration apparently took place on 10-27-76 and something else, possibly an earlier calibration (painted out) had happened to it on 6-19-74. It has two interesting "shields/crests" of some sort on the side pictured, one situated near the center and the other towards the car's right-hand end.

The body appears dark (but not dark enough to be black.) There is a raised handrail that runs the length of the car that is either white or yellow (or at least a very light color.) I'm guessing the color scheme is either the Reading's early standard Pullman green w/Dulx Gold or white lettering and white handrail, or "Reading Green" with yellow stenciling and a yellow hand rail, but I am not at all confident with either of those “semi-edumacated guesstimates.” I am considering modeling this interesting piece of equipment but would like some more solid information before I start if I can get it. Can anyone offer any knowledgeable assistance ... even just a tiny bit?

I have a George B. Stock model of a Scale Test Car that is circa late '50's/early '60's that I came into possession of in 1963. The kit is missing all detail parts (probably why this teenager was able to get it for only 50 cents!) The body of the Scale Test Car is a single metal casting and quite heavy. The wheel sets are metal, the axles ride in simple slots, no bearings or journals of any sort. The tiny little box says "Pennsylvania R.R. Scale Test Car," but we all know that (especially back then) if you marked it PRR or Santa Fe, it would sell. I'd like to build this "antique" up into an interesting "trackside detail" to be parked on a siding near a track scale or in the corner of a yard somewhere.

Any assistance will be enormously appreciated!


Re: Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - Sumpter250 - 11-28-2010

Based on the dates given, unless you can find a color photo ( good luck, I already spent too much time searching ), I'd go with whatever the MOW paint scheme was for the period just before 1974.


Re: Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - Bob C - 11-28-2010

The first place I try for any PRR equipment is Rob's PRR site...for a basic diagram (drawing): http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?sel=tst&sz=sm&fr=, then some photo research (when one knows which class/type one is chasing)...Google images have a lot, and can lead to more info. Good luck on an unusual project, and keep the camera batteries charged. Bob C.


Re: Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - P5se Camelback - 11-28-2010

Bob C Wrote: The first place I try for any PRR equipment is Rob's PRR site...for a basic diagram ... Bob C.

Bob C. --

I appreciate the PRR info ... that was very kind of your to offer that resource and I do appreciate it. But what I said in my original post was ...
Quote:... I acquired an 8x10 glossy B&W of Reading Scale Test Car #91210 ... I have a George B. Stock model of a Scale Test Car ... The tiny little box says "Pennsylvania R.R. Scale Test Car," but we all know that (especially back then) if you marked it PRR or Santa Fe, it would sell. ... I'd like to build this "antique" up into an interesting "trackside detail"

The label on the box is of no consequence to me ... a scale test car is basically a scale test car in my book, especially when they look exactly the same in overall appearance. What I am looking for information regarding the color the READING COMPANY's scale test cars.


Re: Reading Company Scale Test Car #91210 - Bob C - 11-28-2010

Sorry, reading what I was thinking, 'stead of what you were asking... :oops: BOb C.