@GG1 4877 posted:The MTH F40PH represents the early configuration of F40PHs or sometimes referred to as a phase I F40PH (not to be confused with Amtrak paint phasing). I have six of which three are Amtrak. My complaint about the model is similar to my complaint about their Genesis. The tooling is from the late 90's. As a result there are many deficiencies on the model. The pilot steps are incorrect, it rides high, and the paint colors are too dark. One would assume that Atlas will get the colors correct as their Amtrak offerings have been closer to correct colors.
I also have three K-Line F40PHs and they represent the later or phase II F40PH configuration. The roof fans are shallower, sit in a a well, and there are some other minor variations. K-Line got the front pilot steps correct and the colors are much better. The sound on the early K-line units is generic rail sounds but if I cared that much about sound, I could upgrade. The other downside on the K-Line units is the electro coupler sticks way out on the nose. I plan on taking them off mine at some point and either putting in shorter manual couplers or Kadees. The Lionel Legacy version closely aligns with the K-Line model.
As for GGD Amfleet II's the plan is to offer them at a later date after second run Amfleet I, Viewliner II, and Superline I cars have been manufactured and delivered. There are plans to to do them however as well as plans to offer the Viewliner I sleepers as single car offerings at some point in the future.
The MTH F40PH was retooled in 2006 I believe. The F40 from the 90s didn't have ditch lights or strobes to my knowledge. Of course, the retooled version was only released with ditch lights..even when inappropriate.
The Proto 3 models were released with the correct colors (Except Phase IV) after Amtrak released its livery guide publicly. The Phase III variant I have from the late 2010s is significantly nicer than the previous ones I have. The swinging pilot is certainly less pronounced than MTH's P42 that's for sure.
I should mention, for a time, Amtrak was quite inconsistent with their colors. One of the last NPCU converted F40PHs had Amtrak Deep Blue as the bottom stripe:
https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=259848
I'm not sure if this caused confusion with MTH, but seeing that their R&D department was based out of Michigan, it's possible they used this particular NPCU based out of Michigan to match the paint. It certainly didn't help that the Phase III Genesis and B32-8WH used Deep Blue as opposed to the blue found on everything else.
MTH seemed to struggle with Phase II and III until 2013 or so.
