Some PRR are Pre-War and some Post-War

[Jeauxm]

I purchased four Spectrum Passenger Cars from a shop that is closing.  I got PRR 89011 (Combine), 89012 (Coach), 89013 (Coach), and 89015 (Coach).   

I need to know if these versions are Pre-War OR Post-War.  I am looking to buy the 4 car set #98300 which is Pre-War and want to make sure they match what I already have. 

I called Bachmann Customer Service and they can only look at descriptions (no help there).

Does anyone know my answer ?   

Also, what is the difference between the Pre and Post War versions of the Passenger cars ?

Thanks

[SteamGene]

Which war?  Are these heavyweight or lightweight?
Gene

[Jeauxm]

I don't have a clue.  None of the boxes have that in the description.  The new passenger cars - 4 set - Bachmann #89300 have a description that includes "Pre-War".  Also, several Steam Engines of type K4 4-6-2 for PRR have either Pre-war OR Post War.  Assuming WWII.

[jayl1]

If they are six wheel trucks, they are heavyweights. 

As for pre/post World War II, the Walthers catalog lists car #3816 as post-war and car #1704 as pre-war.

[Jeauxm]

It looks like I have one (combine) with 6 wheels and the rest with 4 wheels.  Other than that - I can't see any physical differences.  I just did not want to have different types running on the same train like Standard vs Streamline - if that makes sense.   

The only way I can get the OBservation car is to buy the 4 set.   It is Pre-War.   I also need to get a Steam Engine which comes in Pre and Post war (3 road numbers each).

BTW - does the heavyweight have to do with the original prototype or the models ?  I can't tell any difference between the two types (4 vs 6 wheel).

[Ken S.]

Are the trucks and underbody a blackish color or a greenish color?

[jayl1]

The only HO Spectrum passenger cars I have sold had  6 wheel trucks - as does the set I am looking at now.  I don't recall seeing any 4 wheelers except for N gauge.  As for mixing standard/streamline, railroads mixed cars as needed - especially during WWII.  It's your railroad - run what you like....I believe most "lightweight" streamline cars (not what you have) had the 4 axle trucks.  As for only needing an observation car, try HOyardsale at yahoogroups dot com.  One may show up there (or put in a want to buy listing).  Just a guess - perhaps one difference between pre/post war was the lettering design on the cars.  Some Pennsy cars may have had the keystone added.

[Ken S.]

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=750585&image=170945934&images=170945910,170945934,170945965&formats=0,0,0&format=0

Here's a pic of product 89013 off an ebay auction. Looks like you have Post-War cars to me.

[Pacific Northern]

I have one of the Bachmann Keystone K4 sets. Not all of the heavyweight coaches have the 6 wheel trucks.

http://www.traintraffic.com/ho-scale-model-trains/bachmann-ho-train-the-keystone/

This set comes with the K4 Pacific and three passenger cars, a combine with 6 wheel trucks, an observation car with 6 wheel trucks and a coach with 4 wheel trucks. All three of the cars come with lighting.

The cars are all of the heavyweight design and all have the clerestory roofs.

[Jeauxm]

You guys ROCK !!! 

I think "Ken S." and "Pacific Northern" hit it right on !!!

I what I have concluded - The Black underframed cars are POST-War and the Greenish underframed cars are Pre-War.  Both sets (pre and post) have some 4 wheel and 6 wheel trucked cars (depends on the car).   My Combine with Porthole has black underframe and 6 wheeled trucks.  The 3 other coach cars have black undies and only 4 wheels. 

Bottom Line : I have to find PULLMAN, DINER and OBSERVATION car on Ebay OR just buy the PRE-War set and live with the differences........

I actually started with an SP Daylight Coach that I got from the first trip to the closing train store.  They only had that one and I couldn't find any on-line at all.   2nd trip to the train store I  found a ton of the PRRs.  I could have bought 20 cars BUT they only had 4 distinct road numbers. 

I guess I will just sell the SP  DL.  These are VERY NICE cars either way.   Also need to get me a K4 to pull them !!!

Thanks to you all for your input and help..........Joe

[SteamGene]

You might want to wait on the SP car for awhile.  The time may come when you'll want to paint it as a PRR car. 
Absolutely correct that a pre-war car might well be rolling long after the war was over.  Many railroads, as mentioned mixed cars, especially on non-premier trains.  IIRC, the C&O had something like either four or six streamlined (lightweight) head end cars - baggage and/or RPO, built for the Chessie that died aborning.  All the rest were heavyweights - non-streamlined.  So if you are doing something in the late 40s or 50s, you could well have a mix of pre-post, and streamline cars in one passenger train. 
Gene