MELGAR posted:GG1 4877 posted:For anyone interested, here is a pre-production image of the 3rd Rail FL9s from way back when we worked on these. 2012 I think? Maybe early 2013. I'll have to go back and look! It was a fun project. The New Haven version was especially satisfying as we got an actual color sample of the original correct color for Phase II FL9s which as a shade different than the Phase I FL9s. That doesn't happen often in the modeling work.
FL-9s were made only for the New Haven Railroad and only in the McGinnis paint scheme. All the rest of these liveries were applied to ex-New Haven locomotives by their subsequent owners.
MELGAR
Completely understand that. However, New Haven had two variations on the FL9 known as Phase I and Phase II based on order dates. There were 30 of each (2000-2029 in 1956 and 1957 and 2030-2059 in 1960) for a total of 60 units. When Penn Central assumed control in 1968 they were simply renumbered into the 5000 series, retaining their last two digits. Amtrak purchased 12 from Conrail and Maine Eastern had two that were purchased from Amtrak. The balance went to MTA and 10 to CDOT. Two of MTA's were painted in a "heritage" scheme for New York Central. The only paint schemes not done were Penn Central and Conrail Blue/Yellow. I always found that attractive personally even if the yellow faded to white fairly quickly.
The 3rd Rail model represents, the Phase II variation (or the later order) of that locomotive regardless of original ownership. Outside of the Overland brass 2 rail model, these are the only FL9s ever done in O scale.
