I love all my 3rd rail trains. My 3rd Rail diesels are my favorite ones. They aren't perfect but they are the nicest thing out there and you get a great buy for the money. If you want perfect then you guys should go over to Kohs and Company and Midwestern Models Works and see how much perfect really costs. Then you'll be a little more forgive in the errors of the models that youre getting for a pretty good price considering.
Mine just arrived and I'm delighted. I would have to agree with Matt in that 3rd Rail represents the favorite diesels in my fleet. They are far superior than the next three leading importer's offerings in every detail and yet at a competitive price-point. Well done, Scott, and company.
This is not my first, nor will it be my last pre-order.
3rail goes above and beyond with research and as prices from the big two have skyrocketed they have an amazing product at competitive pricing.
Having seen some major screw ups, the Lionel California Zephyr without a dome observation car, by example. There certainly has been reason for anger and to jump up and down; However, and this is a big however, 3rd rail has and will make good on a any major errors (although I have yet to see them make a major error).
If one doesn't care for the yellow handrails on the ATSF or is willing to pitch a fit over the paint scheme used, I am sure Scott will take them back and make one or more others very happy! I have more units in the second run coming, but this round the great outcry over the ATSF resulted in units becoming available, I could not be happier.
The first CP livery with those older cars in the picture above would make for a great "set". That livery with smooth sided cars would have made a very interesting but different CANADIAN.
Here's another shot of CP1802 in v.2 of the Beaver Crest livery . . .
Note that all grab irons are yellow . . . even though one each side is mounted on the grey interval between the nose stripes.
Hey! It's all I have to do. I don't have mine to play with yet. 
So get the paint bottle out, David and get that little sucker right!
Incidentally, the early versions all seem to have coupler doors closed. Later versions of the Beaver Crest paint job, all seem to have exposed couplers and no doors at all.
Maybe the original door pilots were totally replaced when they were repainted?
I've never seen any photos of CP's three E8 units running in MU. Always just a single engine. No matter. My 11 car GGD heavy weights will need an A-A to get going!
This photo . . .
doesn't count. That B unit is not an E8. CP had no E8Bs.
Incidentally, the wreck of CP E8A #1801 is on youtube . . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTC-A0d4Vn4
AFAIK, she never ran again.
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CincinnatiWestern posted:...If one doesn't care for the yellow handrails on the ATSF or is willing to pitch a fit over the paint scheme used, I am sure Scott will take them back and make one or more others very happy! ...
Some of you guys really crack me up. I have emails and posts here on the forum from Scott's crew confirming the "early" paint scheme for the CP models, and somewhere along the way plans changed without telling us about it. So you characterize us as "willing to pitch a fit over the paint scheme used", when we point this all out in a quick photo review, where I also indicated I'd probably make this transaction work despite the initial disappointment. Spare us your logic, please. We'd love to see/hear your reaction when your builder builds a house for you and paints the exterior and trim a different color from what he originally told you. But that's different, right? 
David
sdmann posted:Well James Marek, I can't disagree with you more.
Many of the SAME problems and concerns that Rocky Mountaineer is mentioning echo statements that I brought up about the Atlas Santa Fe F7's that were recently delivered.
I won't bother to list them here but anybody that has read the two topics can see all the parallel problems. Both ending with the pledge to avoid pre-orders going forward. If the lack of pre-orders hampers future projects, so be it. Too many people these days are disappointed with the finished product not being the "as advertised" item.
First, not "too many" people are disappointed, only a few. Most realize the challenge and see the improvements from one project to the next. And we have a Warranty policy to cover anyone who is totally disappointed. They only risk S&H on returns for refund.
Second, on our web site we always state clearly, "ROAD SPECIFIC DETAILS NOT SHOWN - ONLY FOR ILLUSTRATION OF PAINTING
ALL ROAD SPECIFIC DETAILS VERSIONS AND PAINT COLORS ARE HIGHLY RESEARCHED PRIOR TO PRODUCTION ALA (Jonathan). So where is our advertising misleading?From our records the only item you ever bought from us or our dealer is the El Capitan cars. Do you even own one of our Diesels? Have you ever seen one in the flesh? You don't pre-order offer advise, data, ask to review drawings. You don't participate in anyway except to troll the forum calling for a boycott on pre-orders. Just because you don't want to buy this stuff doesn't mean others don't. The problem with these inflammatory remarks is there are 10 times more people reading these forums for information than those that post. And some that post only criticize and never offer advise.
Scott Mann
Nice post Scott Mann, and a well deserved shot at the "complainer". Reminded me of the days of Harry Truman when they they used shout: "GIVE'EM HELL HARRY" and Harry always complied!
This is my first 3rd Rail diesel and I came home and peordered the PA's because I like this one so much It is beautifiul and runs flawlessly
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If you're not happy, send em back and get yourself a refund.
The constant b*tching gets sooooo tiring
Matt, Could not agree more. And Scott thanks for setting the record straight with the peanut gallery!! Life is too short! My advice to them, send your item back and don't order any more BTO as your never going to be happy! Also contact the vendor and work it out instead being negative all the time on the forum(the same as you would if the color on your house was not the exact shade of grey). For the rest of us enjoy these fine products from a great vendor and enthusiast. Cheers Don
It looks like Insignia Yellow for those two handrails. Please support your local hobby shop.
This may be a silly post but please bear with me . . .
My CP E8As have been released by Canada Customs and should be in my hands early next week. I am gonn'a be thrilled opening them up.
BUT . . . that claw up front is gonn'a drive me nuts! Don't think I can wait for Scott to produce the two rail pilots! Will it be difficult to remove the electro claw and mount a cosmetic Kadee, at least until the 2 rail pilots ship?
I know, I know . . . I can find out when they get here but anyone any idea about this? Of course I appreciate the opening will still be humongous but I can deal with that better than the claw.
Removing the claw is easy, it unscrews from the truck assembly, usually on a separate bracket. You can mount a Kadee to the 3R pilot with a bracket, the same as the 2R pilot. The only difference will the be the large gap for now.
Laidoffsick posted:Removing the claw is easy, it unscrews from the truck assembly, usually on a separate bracket. You can mount a Kadee to the 3R pilot with a bracket, the same as the 2R pilot. The only difference will the be the large gap for now.
Thanks, LOS. My Kadee supplies are on hand. Those claws will be gone BEFORE I take any pictures of the beautiful new babies! As for the gap, maybe I'll take a shot at filling it in with styrene as well. Might not get that perfect though.
Thanks Scott for the works of art
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My favorite
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DaveJfr0 posted:You now have a reason to visit the 6901 down at the Southeastern Railway Museum.
Dave,
I will be in Atlanta in a few weeks and will have to see if I can plan a stop at the museum on the drive back to Charlotte since it's practically on the way (just off I-85)!
Thanks!
- Jeff
Rocky Mountaineer posted:CincinnatiWestern posted:...If one doesn't care for the yellow handrails on the ATSF or is willing to pitch a fit over the paint scheme used, I am sure Scott will take them back and make one or more others very happy! ...
Some of you guys really crack me up. I have emails and posts here on the forum from Scott's crew confirming the "early" paint scheme for the CP models, and somewhere along the way plans changed without telling us about it. So you characterize us as "willing to pitch a fit over the paint scheme used", when we point this all out in a quick photo review, where I also indicated I'd probably make this transaction work despite the initial disappointment. Spare us your logic, please. We'd love to see/hear your reaction when your builder builds a house for you and paints the exterior and trim a different color from what he originally told you. But that's different, right?
David
They didn't paint your engines or my house a different color, they did in effect add a gray stripe to your engines.
When our house painter did paint in the Victorian florals, which we didn't ask him to do nor which either my wife nor I loved -- we cooled our jets and took in the overall job, in the end the house looks better with the additional details. Now that is totally different indeed, our painter would not give me a refund on the $26,000 paint job, but Scott will refund your $1,600 or thereabouts.
The CP engines you have are gorgeous, you know it, we all know it. If you don't like them, send them back, and end it.
The constant complaining, but unwillingness to return them even though Scott as been clear in that offer, is a pitty party, at best.
My grandmother said, "Put up or shut up," since you keeping saying your going to put up...
David, I'll buy those CP locos off you if you're that unhappy about. I'll give you the $1340 you got into em. I have a very good friend who'd love to have em
CincinnatiWestern posted:...The CP engines you have are gorgeous, you know it, we all know it. If you don't like them, send them back, and end it.
The constant complaining, but unwillingness to return them even though Scott as been clear in that offer, is a pitty party, at best.
...
You do realize you're stirring the pot MUCH more than my initial quick iPhone photo review by continuing to talk about this over 48 hours after I first posted, right? Can you not read English??? 
I indicated the delivered paint scheme was different than what was in the brochure and what I was told, so therein was the initial disappointment. Sorry I can't make it more clear to you. In this very same thread (a few posts down from my original), I indicated I'd make the purchase work (for a variety of reasons), and I also complemented Scott on his choice of CP colors on these E8's compared to the Lionel F3's from several years ago (in my original post). All in all, that was my attempt at posting pictures and keeping my early commentary of the CP models fair and balanced. I talked about the good AND the bad in an admittedly quick "first look". But I guess you've chosen to continually overlook the good points, because it doesn't fit your narrative of trying to label me a "complainer".
In retrospect, did I say Scott did a crappy job with these models? No.
Did I pick apart rivets, steps, couplers or any other detail items being out of place or missing? No.
Heck, I didn't even take issue with the CP grey color used. Rather I complemented Scott on that choice even though it may not have been 100% prototypical. Looks great to me.
What I DID do was state the paint scheme was NOT the one initially published. And yes, I found that disappointing -- as I'm sure ANYONE HERE would have felt if they were expecting one paint scheme and received a different one.
Beyond that, I don't know what to tell you. So please stop stirring the pot and just give it a rest, as I'm certainly not looking for anyone's pity -- especially yours.
David
Matt Makens posted:David, I'll buy those CP locos off you if you're that unhappy about. I'll give you the $1340 you got into em. I have a very good friend who'd love to have em
Matt,
Please see my post above this one. The two 3rd Rail Canadian Pacific E8 locomotives I purchased are not available for sale -- nor will I be returning them back to Scott. But thanks for the offer.
David
FINE!!! I didn't want those trains anyway
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Oh no, Matt's pouting again...
Jon,
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Scott you have nothing to apologize for.
when I think about what you have accomplished being a rather small outfit compared to LNL, MTH and Atlas its just amazing. So if your only issue is a slightly grayer paint color compared to the overall detail and finish you have managed to have created . . .
well to your detractors I say let them eat chocolate cake in Florida!!
Southern Railway Sean posted:Here's some shot's of my Southern 3rd rail E8. I'm blown away at the quality and detail this locomotive has on it. I'm glad this is my 1st model from 3rd Rail!!
I do have one question for Scott was the roadnumber 6900 used for these models?
Hey Sean, good to see you posting again. And thanks for posting the info on the Ps4's.
From your pictures here, it appears that Sunset modeled the piping from 6901. 6900's piping is different, albeit only slightly but noticeable from track-side.
After I got my MTH contemporary 6900 contacted someone here about info on the tanks and piping thinking might add something. He emailed me that there were no drawings. So who knows!
Anyway from pics of 6901 I found and pics I have taken of 6900 came to the conclusion that tanks were made from "10-inch" pipe (maybe 12-inch) and piping is 1 1/2-inch pipe. The tank supports made from modified very common pipe support (was quality supervisor at a manufacture of these before getting into pressure vessels).
The surprising thing was that the tanks were made from welded pipe (or maybe plate) not seamless. Very common to make tanks by welding on manufactured heads. The surprise is these tanks are not one piece in length. They are in fact two apparent equal length pieces with a full penetration circumferential weld. This seem a strange way. But then it hit me they were made from shop rolled steel and seam welded. Shop probable could not roll a full length piece. And while doing the train show here at the Back Shop noticed a "Roll". As I recall it is maybe six to eight-feet long. The tanks appear to be made from a 10-foot long pipe section. In all made sense.
Now for the heck of it do these tanks have this seam and/or circumferential welds detailed?????
Ron
PRRronbh posted:Southern Railway Sean posted:Here's some shot's of my Southern 3rd rail E8. I'm blown away at the quality and detail this locomotive has on it. I'm glad this is my 1st model from 3rd Rail!!
I do have one question for Scott was the roadnumber 6900 used for these models
Hey Sean, good to see you posting again. And thanks for posting the info on the Ps4's.
From your pictures here, it appears that Sunset modeled the piping from 6901. 6900's piping is different, albeit only slightly but noticeable from track-side.
After I got my MTH contemporary 6900 contacted someone here about info on the tanks and piping thinking might add something. He emailed me that there were no drawings. So who knows!
Anyway from pics of 6901 I found and pics I have taken of 6900 came to the conclusion that tanks were made from "10-inch" pipe (maybe 12-inch) and piping is 1 1/2-inch pipe. The tank supports made from modified very common pipe support (was quality supervisor at a manufacture of these before getting into pressure vessels).
The surprising thing was that the tanks were made from welded pipe (or maybe plate) not seamless. Very common to make tanks by welding on manufactured heads. The surprise is these tanks are not one piece in length. They are in fact two apparent equal length pieces with a full penetration circumferential weld. This seem a strange way. But then it hit me they were made from shop rolled steel and seam welded. Shop probable could not roll a full length piece. And while doing the train show here at the Back Shop noticed a "Roll". As I recall it is maybe six to eight-feet long. The tanks appear to be made from a 10-foot long pipe section. In all made sense.
Now for the heck of it do these tanks have this seam and/or circumferential welds detailed?????
Ron
I noticed the differences in the pipe/tank setup, but they would only do it one way, not per unit, part of the tooling limitations I mentioned previously. A concession that had to be made. Looking at the rooftop photos I had (I didn't have drawings, as getting drawings from the SRHA is not easy), I can see the seam weld you mention, but no, it was not modeled on the tanks. I did not measure the pipes, but I provided information to make them 10" and use 1.5" pipe. As to the pipe straps, the factory CAD worker did not originally model them, but I was able to get that modeled. There is a bit of extra unprototypical mounting material under each of the tanks. I tried to get them to get rid of that too, but I lost that fight as the material was kept to make sure the tanks didn't break off the roofs during shipping. You will also notice these units didn't come with a firecracker antennas next to the horns. In the past, these broke off, so Scott decided not to put them on the units. Though I thought we discussed putting them in the parts baggie in the box (just like the spark arrestors), but none of my 3 units came with the antennas.
Has everyone who has ordered gotten their unit(s)? I'm waiting for 2 to get delivered to my LHS and am getting anxious...
RootBeerRail posted:Has everyone who has ordered gotten their unit(s)? I'm waiting for 2 to get delivered to my LHS and am getting anxious...
I am in Canada. So mine were pretty late. Still they showed up last Monday.
Seems only your LHS or Scott Mann can tell you what is going on with yours.
My Santa Fe s are on the way. Can't wait.
Found that the shipped Wednesday, and are expected in the middle of next week. I'll pick them up over the weekend. Given I haven't seen photos of the Erie, I'll make sure to post one once I have it, along with the PRR 5-stripe (seen the 2 rail photos but not the 3 rail)
RootBeerRail posted:Found that the shipped Wednesday, and are expected in the middle of next week. I'll pick them up over the weekend. Given I haven't seen photos of the Erie, I'll make sure to post one once I have it, along with the PRR 5-stripe (seen the 2 rail photos but not the 3 rail)
I would definitely be interested in as many photos of the Erie unit as you can manage. It was one of the roads I considered.
Scott, they look wonderful. Can you post pictures of the CB&Q ones?
How about a C&O pic too?....Thanks
Thanks, Scott!!
When can we expect the second run to arrive?
Thank you, Scott. They look amazing.
Mann (pardon the pun), those do look sharp! You don't happen to have any unclaimed NYC, do you?
