Hello Jonathan,
Please forgive my ignorance, but can you elaborate in greater detail how the 3rd rail F7s will differ from the Atlas F7s? I don't have extensive knowledge of the prototype nor do I have the "WTF attitude" toward spending the $2400 it would cost for a 3rd Rail ABBA configuration. Though, I have in the past rationalized what many would have considered to be outlandish amounts of money on trains.
I too contemplated mixing 3rd Rail powered As with Atlas dummy Bs. But the numbers won't match up of course. Then they will likely have different finishes. And if the 3rd rail engines have more/different detail then wouldn't that make the contrast between the two types more glaring? These questions are probably impossible to answer without having production samples. Which makes committing the funds even more unlikely for me.
thanks
There are a few things I can say about the 3rd Rail Santa Fe F7s in regards to the detailing.
The Warbonnet F7 is being detailed to be accurate to the post 1956 era as that is when the final El Capitan cars were delivered to the Santa Fe. This will also cover the 1958 combined Super Chief / El Capitan as well. Numbers to be determined, but they will not be the same as the Atlas set due to the detailing being done.
