This Espee Alco PA began life in 1978 as an Athearn model, heavily reworked of course.
The unit was completed *before* Bob Zenk's series of Espee Alco PA articles
appeared in the first couple of issues of Mainline Modeler. Bob Dengler's PA
features specially cast sideframes applied to home-built gearboxes, a scratchbuilt
snowplow, reworked windshields, side grilles (w/custom etched grilles),
icicle breaker bars -- however the rear icicle breaker bar is missing, as
are ladder steps on the engineer's and fireman's side, thanks to a swipe of
the paw from his wife's cat several years ago that sent the model to the
floor. Miraculously the cat survived. The model now remains safely in
Clyde King's possession, and missing parts will hopefully be rebuilt and
reapplied at a future date. And yes, if you're wondering, Bob Dengler is
very much with us. He was present at the BAPM meet.
-Rob Sarberenyi