I also have both the K-line F40PH(tmcc,rs,cruise), both the Lionel phase I F40PH w/ Amtrak Phase II paint and Lionel phase II F40PH w/ Amtrak Phase III and tomorrow should be receiving the NPCU. I agree that the the K-line Phase F40PH closely resembles the Lionel ph.2 F40Ph w/ Phase 3 paint(exception- the red stripe and partially the blue stripe). Lionel's product pages on the F40PH powered units actually mention "phase I and Phase II F40PH details..." which I think is cool. I'll add that I have a Railing proto 2 Amtrak PhIV F40PH and Premier proto 2 Surfliner F40PH- the PHIV looks better than the Atlas model shown(although it's obviously incomplete- I hope) and the Surfliner has prototypical horn placement- so, honestly I'm happy with both of my MTH F40PHs. Can't say the same for my NJ Transit p42, however
@P42Amtrak83 thank you for sharing that picture of that NPCU with the phase 3 paint and dark blue stripe. I had always kind of wished Lionel would've done the cabbage in a Phase IV or later scheme because that's what we see on the rails today regarding NPCUs. I understand why Lionel wouldn't do a Ph IV or later when their powered units are Phase II & III paint paint. Regardless , despite the blue stripe, Im happy to see a prototype NPCU in Phase III.
