3rd Rail / GGD April 2015 Update from China

Actually just the opposite, not an angry person at all. I just get upset when people only have a 1 sided view and unwillingly to hear another person out. I was simply stating my opinion on your comments, alot of time people dont realize what they are doing. Comments can be taken multiple ways, just like your taking mine possibly the way they were not intended. I have bought several things from you and in person at shows. The bottom line, take my comments as you wish, they were not intended to get you fired up. I dont want to argue with you or anyone. If you dont want to sell me product anymore thats ok too. 


       

Ok I ran out of popcorn.. Let me say this. I just purchased last month and the beginning of this month My first 3rd Rail engines( CB&Q FT and GN FT). Hands down there the best running engines and Prototypical correct engines I own.  Did I ever think I would drop $1600 and $1000 on engines, no. But with all the good things said about Scotts products and comparing them with the other manufactures FT offerings and their prices. I got two sets that were unique for their roads, not a one of, that came in 5 or 6 six roads. For a few extra bucks, I got what I wanted. bottom line There worth every penny and Scotts customer service is fantastic. You can see his influence on Atlas as they are offering a now retooled F7. I don't have deep pockets like some out there nor do I have the space to go 2R so I am running 3RS, but you know what. I have reserved 3 x SD9s from Scott (there goes another 2 grand)but then again I have a few months to put the money aside. You get what you pay for. If you want generic so be it. If you want more you can go with 3rd Rail or Keys. This thread has been a tool to get information out and for Eric C and a few others to show their stuff.

 

So DO NOT GET THIS THREAD DELETED OVER PETTY ARGUMENTS and go find a mud pit to settle your differences.

 

2rail Guy If you don't want grief, then fill out your profile. Otherwise until you do. You will continue to fit the profile that some have alluded to..

Ok, I visited a fight and a model train website broke out.......eventually!!  I hate to say this but I think young people think trains are boring. As someone once noted, watching trains today is like watching a conveyor belt running. Most of us "gray heads" grew up in the steam era, which was anything but boring. Don't think it is price keeping young folks out of the hobby. But model train shows do draw a lot of people, so model trains can attract peoples' interest.

        Oh, and I think "technology trinkets" are boring !!!!

This topic has really morphed into a couple of separate topics the way that I see it.

Anyway,if Scott decides to run a product and if I like it,I'll buy it.  Pretty simple for me.  I hope that he never runs out of good ideas and great products.

I never make a purchase for resale,I don't care about the "state of the hobby".  When my time comes my 3 nephews will have all of my trains to do with what they want.

Right now I'm trying to build my layout and I'm enjoying it.

To each his own.

 

Norm

So....any word about the CP mikes in production? Ive been waiting for pics to be posted a week or so ago. I would like a teaser pic at least!

  Al

As I said earlier (before this thread turned into a pizzing contest),

 

If I can get my hands on a lounge I will make a homage ad like this one. I'm very excited for you Jim!

I love these things! I also buy brass at $1000-$2000 a car. It's all good!


       
       

Scott is leaving for the orient early next week and he told me yesterday the inspection of the CP mikados was one of his missions. I would expect he may post some photos next week.

 

 

Erik,,

 

WOW that is outstanding... you even matched the fonts.  

 

I will have to print one out and see if I can make a bill-board out of it.

 

Thanks for posting. 

I'd love to see an update on the F7's and some production samples like they did with the FT's.

"I'd love to see an update on the F7's"

 

Last that I heard the F7's will be sometime in July. They should certainly be worth waiting for.

WOW! July seems a bit early but, I guess Scott may be over there now.

I am with HW. I think it will be August or later before we see them. Scott is leaving either Monday or Tuesday for the Orient.

Scott, any new pictures of the Erie Berkshires that you can post?

Hey Scott, if it is not too much trouble, can you pickup some egg rolls, fried rice and some sweet & sour chicken?

Scott is leaving this week with the decoration drawings and color chips for the F7s.  It will take about a month to mix up the paints apply the specific details and finish all the body parts.  Then about another month to assemble the chassis and finish the models.  And then a couple of weeks for inspection testing and packaging.  And then about 6 weeks in transit.  So I expect they will be here some time after labor day.

 

 The only pictures before the pickup notices go out might be the demonstrators.  I OK'd the colors and the drawings for them and bought the 3 sets required to get them done so Scott said he would try and get me some pics as they happen.

 

I am hoping that they get the "YELLOW" correct for Brian.  He has waited a l-o-n-g time for these units.

Me too, Jim. But I believe the color will be perfect. I think that Jonathan was involved with colors for the F7's as well.

 

 

Latest from our Factory in China: 6-11-2015

 

1. We worked out the stainless steel panels on the SF Yellow and Red Warbonnets. They are 0.1mm thick nickel plated sheets that are bonded to the body. They look AMAZING. It will cost a little more to do this, but there is no substitute for a real metal sheet on the F7s. Production is a little slower than expected, but proceeding methodically. We expect to be done in August, for a September Delivery.

 

2. When I got here a few days ago I was presented with our CP P-2 Mikado samples. A few corrections later these are outstanding. I will be posting a brochure that we have already sent to our reservation customers. These will be done July 15th for a late July Delivery.

 

 

 

3. The Cincinnatian and Powhatan Arrow and Slumber Coaches will go into production shortly. These are expected in September / October of this year.

 

We are continuing to work on the following projects:

 

SD7 and SD9 Diesels - Design is almost done, and Jonathan is working on the details of each road for us.

 

The D&RGW L-131 2-8-8-2 - Design is almost done, and we expect these in late 2015.

 

Erie S3/S4 Berkshires: The unassembled models are on their way to Korea, and then will be transferred to our factory's main office to be delivered here in China. We hope to have these finished by October.

 

The SP S-12 and CB&Q O1a is in the design and planning stages. We need more reservations, or the price will have to go up a little. Where are you 3 Railers? Need your orders. Production is planned for late 2015, early 2016.

 

The container with the SF El Capitan cars arrives this week. Shipping over the next 10 days.

 

The container with the Modernized HW Coaches arrives on the June 20th. When it rains it pours.

 

We are working on reruns of our 12-1 and 8-1-2 Sleepers, Diner/ Observation Pullman HW cars, Baggage and RPO cars, and Wooden Coaling Tower for next year.

 

We are working on the design of the Scale Harriman Car Sets and individual cars. This too is planned for next year.

 

We are considering the other models on our web site as well, but all are limited by the lack of reservations. Come on guys, your stocks are up, spend a little!!!

 

 

"1. We worked out the stainless steel panels on the SF Yellow and Red Warbonnets. They are 0.1mm thick nickel plated sheets that are bonded to the body. They look AMAZING."

 

This is indeed amazing news, Scott. Can't wait to receive them. You have made a lot of folks who ordered the Sante Fe version very happy tonight.

Here is a shot of a nickel plated sheet installed. We will of course tone it down a bit with some overspray.

 

 

Looks pretty good to me. You should be able to use the exact same process for the upcoming CB&Q "E" units. The CB&Q E8 units were delivered with painted side panels, and later some were rebuilt/upgraded to stainless steel side panels. All the CB&Q E9 units were delivered with the same polished stainless steel side panels.

 

Very nice Scott! Thank you for sharing with us.

Some day it will become inexpensive enough to shoot plastic bodies, then stick them in plaster, do a double burnout, and pour brass in there.  Then you can nickel plate with no danger of ever peeling and no need for deeper cavities for gluing panels.

 

Dennis did a couple of PAs for me that way - I am delighted to have metal locomotive bodies.  I may yet do an E-7 that way, and Scott's plastic is the best.

Outstanding. Thank you for the update. This is incredibly helpful for budgeting!

 

If Scott plans to do the CB&Q E8's in this fasion, I'll have to alert Lenny at the club, so he can find the hammer and wack his piggy-bank.  I'm pretty sure he would love those! 

That's great new Scott, you really came through!  Thank you for your diligence in working to achieve the best possible.  

 

Also, I'm pleased to see that the F7 Phase 2 details all look correct.  Nice work!

 

These F7's are going to set a new standard. Can't wait!

Wow, Scott!  I knew you were going to set the bar high with the upcoming F7's.  I can see that I will be lost in time when my rednose 307L-A-B arrives, remembering running the actual 307L at 90 MPH back in the pre-Amtrak era, and what an outstanding locomotive it was among other F7's.  I will have to put a handful of rags down by the Legacy base unit and drink coffee from 3-oz. Dixie cups while I run 'er around my layout. 

 

Good work, Scott.  Your personal record has been awarded ten merits for manufacturing O-gauge F7 locomotives with exceptionally good detail.

I will second that !

Good show mate

Great work. As an Erie Lackawanna fan I think plywood panels would go a long way on pre-weathered F7s. Think of all the possibilities.

 Scott

  Make a CPR T1a 2-10-4 5900-19 and I will buy 2