Walthers Proto 2000 Pennsylvania Railroad Nos. 5812A and 5813A are HO scale models of PRR Class EP-22 EMD E8A passenger diesels. The A-A pair was produced to accompany Walthers’ Pennsylvania Railroad Broadway Limited passenger train series.
The original TrainReference photograph identifies the locomotives as 5812A and 5813A. Both wear Pennsylvania’s Tuscan passenger scheme and include distinctive PRR details such as rooftop Trainphone equipment.
At a Glance
- Manufacturer: Walthers
- Product line: Proto 2000
- Prototype: EMD E8A
- PRR class: EP-22
- Railroad: Pennsylvania Railroad
- Road numbers: 5812A and 5813A
- Configuration: A-A
- Scale: HO
- Associated train: Broadway Limited
Proto 2000 PRR 5812A and 5813A
Walthers produced detailed Proto 2000 E8A locomotives for its HO scale recreation of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited. The locomotives represented the EMD passenger diesels that became important power for Pennsylvania’s Blue Ribbon Fleet.
The pair documented here carries road numbers 5812A and 5813A. The original TrainReference photograph shows the two cab-equipped locomotives arranged as an A-A pair.
Pennsylvania Railroad E8A – Class EP-22
The Pennsylvania Railroad classified its EMD E8A passenger locomotives as EP-22. Walthers notes that Pennsylvania received 74 E8A units between 1949 and 1951 for passenger service on trains including the Broadway Limited, The General and other members of the railroad’s Blue Ribbon Fleet.
The E8A was a streamlined, cab-equipped passenger locomotive powered by two EMD 567-series diesel engines. Unlike an A-B combination, an A-A consist placed a cab-equipped locomotive at each end of the locomotive pair.
The Broadway Limited
The Pennsylvania Railroad introduced the Broadway Limited in 1912 as its premier New York–Chicago passenger train. Its equipment and motive power changed considerably during its long operating history.
The Proto 2000 locomotives documented here represent the train’s later diesel era rather than its original 1912 appearance. Walthers developed its HO Broadway Limited series around equipment used during the 1950s and 1960s.
PRR-Specific Details
Walthers’ Pennsylvania E8 models incorporated details intended to distinguish them from E8s operated by other railroads. Features of the PRR versions included:
- Rooftop Trainphone antenna
- PRR passenger locomotive paint and lettering
- Road-specific horn arrangement
- Nose lifting eyes
- Passenger-service pilot details
The Trainphone antenna is especially noticeable along the roofline and is one of the easiest features to recognize on these Pennsylvania models.
Prototype Details and Model Accuracy
The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society has examined these Walthers/Proto E-unit models in detail. Its modeling research specifically discusses Nos. 5812A and 5813A and notes several details that can be refined for even closer prototype accuracy, including aspects of the Trainphone antenna supports, horn configuration and other body details.
This makes the pair particularly well documented for modelers interested in comparing the commercial Proto 2000 release with photographs of the prototype locomotives.
Identifying This Pair
The principal identifiers visible on this TrainReference example are:
- Railroad: Pennsylvania Railroad
- Locomotive type: EMD E8A / PRR Class EP-22
- First locomotive: 5812A
- Second locomotive: 5813A
- Configuration: A-A
- Product line: Proto 2000
The road numbers are important because Walthers has produced several different Pennsylvania E8 and E8 A-A releases over the years.
Original Photo
The photograph below shows the Proto 2000 Pennsylvania Railroad Nos. 5812A and 5813A pair originally documented for TrainReference.
References and Further Reading
- Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society – The Keystone Modeler, No. 81
- Walthers – Pennsylvania Broadway Limited Series
Related Proto 2000 References
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- Life-Like Proto 2000 Erie 830 E8A
- Proto 2000 Santa Fe 1791 – 2-8-8-2 Y3
- Browse Walthers and Proto model train references
Current Proto 2000 Pennsylvania E8 Listings
Current eBay listings related to Proto 2000 Pennsylvania E8 locomotives are shown below. For this particular pair, look for road numbers 5812A and 5813A.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
 Proto 2000 Pennsylvania 21008 E8/9 |  Proto 2000 HO 23061 Pennsylvania E7 Locomotive #5841 |
PROTO 2000~ PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD E-8 LOCOMOTIVE # 5797 ~HO SCALE
proto 2000 PENNSYLVANIA E8/9 powered engine HO scale ////
Walthers Proto ~ HO Scale ~ EMD E8 A-A ~ DC ~ Pennsylvania PRR ~ 920-49902
HO Scale Proto 2000 8117 PRR Pennsylvania EMD E8/9 A/A Diesel Locomotive Set
