Man, this is gonna hurt the wallet
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Wow! I'm actually shocked at this. The timing of it anyways. I'll have to go to the site and see them.
Im gonna have to hit em up for Chicago Northwestern in Falcon Service or Operation Lifesaver scheme
Kodachrome
Without the photo or drawing, the CN SD40-2 could be any one several versions with a Safety Cab or secondhand from UP/MP.
Andrew
CN will have to be with a secondhand UP as there is only 1 plastic tool for the SD40-2 body.
Also announced are:
ACE 3000 - Modern Steam Demonstrator (Many Liveries Available)
Rock Island "Rocket" TA Diesel + 4 Cars.
B&O EL-3, EL-5 2-8-8-0
Always new production, new designs, new tools, sometimes never been done before.
Scott Mann
Like a Mustang,Corvette,Charger,Harley....hard not to like a SD40-2...got 4 of them all NS
Doug, Kodachrome? Is that the red headed step child of paint schemes? Scott, I will take what I can get but I'd love to see some Chicago Northwestern SD40-2s in one of the more special schemes they had.
Glad to see Scott going to some modern power, a while back I would have jumped on a pair of these SD40-2s now I am looking at up to date Gevos for the future. Just saying!
sdmann posted:Also announced are:
Rock Island "Rocket" TA Diesel + 4 Cars.
Always new production, new designs, new tools, sometimes never been done before.
Scott Mann
Just pre-ordered. Excited to see this made by 3rd Rail!!!
Also, Just want to ask if any of these units will have ditch lights (which were subsequently added to many of these engines), or will that be contingent on the paint scheme/time operation.
Ditch lights would definitely time period specific
I would definitely consider a Conrail scheme.
Norm
Well guys, do what I did. Submit your reservation with a write in of the requested road.
I am a long time 3rd Rail customer and their models are excellent. However, given the MSRP of $729.99 for a plastic diesel I'd have to give this one some thought.
I didn't know that christmas is in late summer. Great news for my layout bad news for my money.....
I'm in for some BN, white face, with the pin stripe one the long hood, ditch lights and anti climber.
thanks Scott for making the SD40-2's
Martin
PAUL ROMANO posted:I am a long time 3rd Rail customer and their models are excellent. However, given the MSRP of $729.99 for a plastic diesel I'd have to give this one some thought.
To be fair, ONLY the body is "plastic". Don't forget that the underframe, truck assemblies, and that fantastic single motor drive system are all metal (NOT diecast, either).
Hey Frank, what do you have sporting the CNW logo?
Swafford posted:
All ya gotta do Frank is to put in your order, as they have a "suggestions" tab for the order. Need three units, I think you are probably 15% there to getting what you want. Start lobbying others to get on the band wagon. Heck, there may be a dealer in the old Frisco territory that may take the balance. Nice looking consist.
Matt Makens posted:Man, this is gonna hurt the wallet
I anxiously await the ruminations on the price point for this model...
Re the Canadian safety cab. Scott does not believe there would be sufficient reservations to justify the additional tooling cost.
Canadian hobby shops guaranteed sufficient reservations to get the Canadian made so lobbying there is one possibility in addition to individuals.
Another is Shapeways. Ask the guys who are making them available in HO if they will upscale them to O. I found a guy who is upscaling his HO GP39/40-2 dynamic brake sections for me.
I may have to find a Conrail caboose. Are there any recommendations for one that will go with the Conrail model?
A Conrail engine marked for the PRR would be real nice.
Norm
Will southern sd40-2 have high hoods?
PAUL ROMANO posted:I am a long time 3rd Rail customer and their models are excellent. However, given the MSRP of $729.99 for a plastic diesel I'd have to give this one some thought.
I have my share of detractors here on this forum, because of my comments about recent Lionel pricing. But if we want to know where Lionel is headed with its 2017 pricing (and beyond), we can look no further than 3rd Rail. Now before I infuriate more forum members, let me clearly state this is NOT a slur against 3rd Rail. The models they produce are seldom second-to-none in the 3-rail O-Gauge community, and that category of product comes with a hefty price tag. If you want the best, you knowingly shell out those hefty bucks... and never look back.
What I AM saying though is this... successful companies know how to MARKET their products well. Because at the end of the day, they're competing for the same deep pockets of a limited number of enthusiasts who can afford this class of product. And clearly, just from skimming this thread, we can clearly see there IS a decent degree of enthusiasm for these highly detailed products. Indeed, just look at the number of folks in this thread alone who have already pre-ordered (or plan to pre-order) 2, 3 or 4 (or more) of these diesel locos at $730/each!
While we're at it... Another interesting 3rd Rail price-point worth noting is the SP 0-6-0 switcher coming in at $1,450 MSRP. Double-WOW!!! But the detail level on this puppy appears to set a new benchmark for 3-rail O-Gauge detail standards. So I guess this is why Lionel has no issue pricing its latest Legacy 0-8-0 switchers (due out later this year) at $900 MSRP, while less than 4 years ago the same switchers carried a $700 MSRP. Although Lionel's product will likely have nowhere near the detail level of the 3rd Rail / Sunset Models product, I honestly believe Lionel is trying to court the SAME market 3rd Rail is trying to capture. In some cases, they'll win. And in others, they'll lose.
There will always be somebody who wants the absolute best and is willing to pay for it. While others may feel there's a point at which they'd be happy settling for a bit less (of a model) when they're spending considerably less dollars. I honestly believe Lionel is hoping to grab a piece of the latter segment of "high end buyers". So suddenly Lionel's $900 MRSP (avg street-price $750), may not seem too badly priced compared to 3rd Rail's $1,350-$1,450 street price.
Getting back to this particular topic at hand... i.e., the newly announced 3rd Rail $730 SD40-2 diesels. It wasn't THAT long ago that Lionel offered their VisionLine ES44 diesels at $875-ish MSRP, and that got us one heck of a diesel locomotive with a ton of heft -- not to mention the die-cast shell. To get a VisionLine diesel like that today, we'd probably be shelling out $1,600 easy.
So everything is relative... and perhaps $730 doesn't seem too bad for the detail level and high-quality product enthusiasts would be getting. Never thought I'd hear myself saying that though!!! And it's still a TON of money I wouldn't spend on impulse.
David
The Atlas EV caboose was available in the Conrail paint scheme about 15 years ago and in a special version "Conrail Quality" in 2005. this was an accurate model for Conrail, they occasionally show up on Ebay.
Rocky Mountaineer posted:PAUL ROMANO posted:I am a long time 3rd Rail customer and their models are excellent. However, given the MSRP of $729.99 for a plastic diesel I'd have to give this one some thought.
I have my share of detractors here on this forum, because of my comments about recent Lionel pricing. But if we want to know where Lionel is headed with its 2017 pricing (and beyond), we can look no further than 3rd Rail. Now before I infuriate more forum members, let me clearly state this is NOT a slur against 3rd Rail. The models they produce are seldom second-to-none in the 3-rail O-Gauge community, and that category of product comes with a hefty price tag. If you want the best, you knowingly shell out those hefty bucks... and never look back.
What I AM saying though is this... successful companies know how to MARKET their products well. Because at the end of the day, they're competing for the same deep pockets of a limited number of enthusiasts who can afford this class of product. And clearly, just from skimming this thread, we can clearly see there IS a decent degree of enthusiasm for these highly detailed products. Indeed, just look at the number of folks in this thread alone who have already pre-ordered (or plan to pre-order) 2, 3 or 4 (or more) of these diesel locos at $730/each!
While we're at it... Another interesting 3rd Rail price-point worth noting is the SP 0-6-0 switcher coming in at $1,450 MSRP. Double-WOW!!! But the detail level on this puppy appears to set a new benchmark for 3-rail O-Gauge detail standards. So I guess this is why Lionel has no issue pricing its latest Legacy 0-8-0 switchers (due out later this year) at $900 MSRP, while less than 4 years ago the same switchers carried a $700 MSRP. Although Lionel's product will likely have nowhere near the detail level of the 3rd Rail / Sunset Models product, I honestly believe Lionel is trying to court the SAME market 3rd Rail is trying to capture. In some cases, they'll win. And in others, they'll lose.
There will always be somebody who wants the absolute best and is willing to pay for it. While others may feel there's a point at which they'd be happy settling for a bit less (of a model) when they're spending considerably less dollars. I honestly believe Lionel is hoping to grab a piece of the latter segment of "high end buyers". So suddenly Lionel's $900 MRSP (avg street-price $750), may not seem too badly priced compared to 3rd Rail's $1,350-$1,450 street price.
Getting back to this particular topic at hand... i.e., the newly announced 3rd Rail $730 SD40-2 diesels. It wasn't THAT long ago that Lionel offered their VisionLine ES44 diesels at $875-ish MSRP, and that got us one heck of a diesel locomotive with a ton of heft -- not to mention the die-cast shell. To get a VisionLine diesel like that today, we'd probably be shelling out $1,600 easy.
So everything is relative... and perhaps $730 doesn't seem too bad for the detail level and high-quality product enthusiasts would be getting. Never thought I'd hear myself saying that though!!! And it's still a TON of money I wouldn't spend on impulse.
David
Bear in mind Sunset is building for a much smaller market, 400-450 piece run seems to be the norm and a largely 2 rail market for many of their products, Atlas I believe and this has been pointed out by others has to stay in line with MTH and Lionel in the motive power market Sunset not so much. add shipping to that price and you are paying 1500+ for a pair of SD40-2s still a quarter of what you would have to pay for a pair of brass models [ if or when such become available] JMO
And dont forget tax if you live in CA
What, taxes, California doesn't have unreasonable tax rates
Hot Water posted:To be fair, ONLY the body is "plastic". Don't forget that the underframe, truck assemblies, and that fantastic single motor drive system are all metal (NOT diecast, either).
"... fantastic single motor drive system ...."
How do they perform compared to Legacy diesels?
Matt01 posted:Hot Water posted:To be fair, ONLY the body is "plastic". Don't forget that the underframe, truck assemblies, and that fantastic single motor drive system are all metal (NOT diecast, either).
"... fantastic single motor drive system ...."
How do they perform compared to Legacy diesels?
From what I've seen, and read, they perform better at slow speeds, have prototypically correct fixed pilots with full length vertical hand rails, and are painted and lettered CORRECTLY.
My Sunset diesels are the smoothest, best running engines in my entire collection. Even with all 4 units powered in an ABBA consist. The single motor horizontal drive is far surperior to the dual China drives, and with ERR Cruise, they will crawl.
I wish I could say I had the same success as Doug in the running department. I have video of the Lionel up f3's (pre legacy) that demonstrate smoother operation then my sunset f7's. With that said, neither set of engines or single engine for that matter has the slow speed smoothness of my Lionel s2. But that is not really an apples to apples comparison. I think the bottom line is now is if there is a big difference, than there is probably something wrong with the units your running.
And my 2 lionel TMCC Lionel F3s have torn out 2 idler gears because they don't like each other... so I made them work together. They run much better without the idler gears now with only 1 drive axle... just like the F7s.
I had a Sunset F7B running really slow and hot vs the other three, but I found the screw heads on the motor mount were rubbing on the flywheel. When it was assembled, the flywheel just got pushed on too far.
My Sunset FP7s have been flawless from day one.
Honestly I was going to send my F7s back because of some of the inaccuaracies... why did I keep them??
The horizontal drives! I can't wait to get my SD7 Tiger Stripes.
Yup. I am excited. I am reserving two in Santa Fe. Can't wait!
Reservation is in. I want these now ! Lol
The markings on the CR/NS 6764 would be what I'd be interested in - specifically the classic intertwined 'PRR' logo (minus keystone) that showed up on both Conrail and Norfolk Southern locomotives. I can't seem to find whether any of the SD40-2s acquired from CR by NS had either of the possibilities rather than the normal text 'PRR'/'NS' markings.
I'm actually shocked that over the years that none of the manufacturers (none that I've recalled seeing, anyways) have bothered to implement such a transition paint scheme to the SPFs that don't mind modern power... There have been very few with just the regular font (only one Atlas SD35 and a Lionel SD80MAC to my memory)...
Rootbeerrail,
You may want to email Scott about this. I did and got a response back pretty quickly.
It is very early in the process and wants should be made known.
Norm
Who wants to cast a write in vote for:
CP Rail Multimark
The 1972 or 1973 SOO LINE scheme
GTW red and blue.
Andrew
falconservice posted:Who wants to cast a write in vote for:
CP Rail Multimark
The 1972 or 1973 SOO LINE scheme
GTW red and blue.
Andrew
Only reservations count and you can reserve anything you want on the 3rd Rail website.
A Reservation is how to cast a Write-In Vote.
How can somebody choose?
What is missing that has to be made in O scale correctly?
Andrew
My first choice would be a Soo Line SD40-2 from SOO 757 to SOO 774 in the original curved red swoosh scheme.
They would be able to get the details in the factory closer to the prototype than the other O Scale SD40-2 models.
The next choice is a Grand Trunk Western Blue, Red, and White SD40-2.
I wonder if Rich Trowbridge would order a GTW SD40-2 with TMCC, or he would think they are too expensive.
Andrew
Which Chicago & North Western SD40=2 scheme would be a write-in reservation favorite?
1970's original yellow
1980's Safety yellow or Zito Yellow
1990's Traditional yellow
Andrew
90s traditional yellow with the Operation Lifesaver scheme they did. I always liked the two the did in Falcon Service logo. I never really liked the Zito yellow, it looks like alien blood.
I ordered 2 in Santa Fe Kodachrome..... we'll see if they get enough orders for the red/yellow/ black scheme
falconservice posted:Which Chicago & North Western SD40=2 scheme would be a write-in reservation favorite?
1970's original yellow
1980's Safety yellow or Zito Yellow
1990's Traditional yellow
Andrew
I say go for Zito Yellow. That way your locomotives can be seen from space when you run outdoors (like the Atlas PS-4750 covered hoppers).
The real Zito yellow doesnt look too bad but some of the model manuafactures do some terrible color matching and the models looks awful.
Doug, I hope you get your Kodachrome scheme but I think you are one of about 6 people who like it and the rest model other scales
Its a love it or hate scheme for sure, but no one has had issues selling 'em when produced. Besides, it beats the crap out of orange and black
Wheeling and Lake Erie? I actually like it, I think it has a solid look to it.
What is the minimum # of reservations to insure a run of a particular rd name/era diesel ? I see Scott posted early on that he is looking at tooling for only one body shell, I guess this eliminates both high hoods and snoot noses, early poster showed ATSF SD40-2 # 5024 "snoot nose" [long nose] anti-climber version.
Matt Makens posted:Wheeling and Lake Erie? I actually like it, I think it has a solid look to it.
HA!... no, that's not the orange & black Im referring to
nope, no snoot nose or high hoods
Matt Makens posted:The real Zito yellow doesnt look too bad but some of the model manuafactures do some terrible color matching and the models looks awful.
True, but with the models, two years from now they will still be yellow instead of white with a yellow tint. Just spray dust-colored paint over them and they'll all look just like Zito yellow after two years of various levels of fading.
Im a bigger fan of the Classic Yellow. I really like the later scheme with OLS logo on it.
Awe Doug, you'll get your wish. I do like the Kodachrome scheme, i didnt mean I like W&LE
This is a very exciting announcement! I've always wanted a correctly done sd40-2. Not sure which road or roads I will reserve yet. I'm probably going to get 2 of them.
In the past 5 years the GTW SD40-2s have been used all over the old Wisconsin Central and DSS&A/Soo Line tracks that the CN acquired several years ago.
Andrew
Yup, got my reservation confirmation yesterday..... 2 Kodachromes
Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
Decision made! Reserved 1 SF blue/ yellow. 1 Kodachrome.
elementdude195 posted:Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
This is my attempt to answer the question regarding details.
The latest 3rd rail diesel offerings have all been ABS plastic with lots of separately applied brass detail parts. What sets these diesels apart from the main stream manufacturers is, all the road specific details, the horizontal drive system which is much better and stronger then China drive. This also allows room for a fully detailed hand painted cab interior. Most other manufacturers have the vertical can motor sticking right up through the cab, put an engineer figure in and call it a day. In 3rd rail models the motor isn't near the cab but it's right above the fuel tank, allowing room for a full sized cab interior.
Fully sprung brass and metal trucks, And lastly fixed pilots with full length hand rails on all the models. Hope this helps. I can post pics of my 3rd rail E7 later when I'm home. For me... Those details plus the drive system are worth (in my own oppinion) the higher price.
If your more art, history, and detail driven in your model train purchases I would try a 3rd rail model. I hope this helps a little bit. Regarding your first sentences asking about abs bodies and detail.
David
This is very exciting. About a year or so ago, I emailed Scott with this suggestion and he quite forthrightly said they were coming and to watch for an announcement. I'll be in for two or three Santa Fe yellow and blues for sure (and am tempted by other western roads, but we'll see...). I think all Santa Fe fans would like to see the rooftop details--AC, antennas and the like. I also think all the ATSF SD40-2s were delivered with these, so unlike some other models, such as the GP35, SD40 or SD45, I think there is no era in which a Santa Fe SD40-2 model would be correct without these features. I certainly would expect them on a Sunset model. Here are 90s era rooftop details added to an Atlas SD40:
A more subtle issue involves little changes to these models over their ATSF service life. The classification lights you see in pictures people posted above were removed and plated over by the early 90s (my era), headlights and horns were relocated, and strobes removed. So there are little detail variations depending on whether a model is depicted circa 1983 versus, say 1993, or even 1995.
Thanks again, Scott for offering these.
RM
Attachments
Rich I totally agree about the roof top details on the SF models. I also mentioned this to Scott in my emails suggesting the Kodachrome paint scheme. Adding all those details after the fact is not too hard, BUT paint matching the yellow is nearly impossible.
How can you guys be so hung up on the details and accuracy of a model and still be OK with it having a third rail? You three reailers are a peculiar bunch
Matt Makens posted:How can you guys be so hung up on the details and accuracy of a model and still be OK with it having a third rail? You three reailers are a peculiar bunch
So,,,,,,you now model in 2-Rail?
The third rail is something I'm stuck with. It's not something I like.
You have a way for me to eliminate it without going back to square one, I'd like to hear it.
Just an FYI ~ Early Proto 2000 diesels had extra accessories included in the box.
This can be an option if they choose to not do the accessories. It's impossible to match that Santa Fe yellow as others have already stated.
Actually Jack I do have quite a bit of 2 rail HO & N scale and have plans to build a pretty cool N scale layout
N scale, I cant even see that stuff any more. I can't have details because my track has a center rail? C'mon man! You dont need details in N scale cuz you cant see them anyway
I always hear that from 2 rail guys when you start talking about accuracy and detail on a 3 rail model. They don't understand the acceptance of the third rial. N scale is a throw back to when I was a kid and lived in a 3 bedroom house with 5 brothers. If I wanted to have a train it had to fit under the bed so 3 by 6 feet was my max. I got rid of a lot of it but I have an affinity for the Kato passenger trains. I have most of the good ones plus some TGV sets and Japanese Shinkansen sets. Its hard to see but its a lot of fun to upgrade them with sound decoders. I always like figuring out how to fit it all in the tiny little shell.
645 posted:elementdude195 posted:Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
These SD40-2's (and most other 3rd Rail diesel locomotive and passenger car offerings) should be highly detailed ABS plastic. I believe the 3rd Rail steam locomotives are brass.
As for suggestions it is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than announce certain road names with no flexibility 3rd Rail has elected to go with the popular vote here - roadnames not part of the official announcement but requested / reserved / pre-ordered will be made *IF* enough reservations are received for same. "Suggestion" is not really the proper word here as that won't mean it will be produced. What counts here is a pre-order / reservation such as "I will buy two of 'Railroad X' in this paint scheme."
Using the Santa Fe Kodachrome scheme already mentioned in this thread as an example here is how it works. Someone suggested it. Fine, but that is not a pre-order / reservation. Now if someone orders say (2) of them using the 'suggestion' area on the order form that counts as a vote to produce it. Now for the tricky part - there has to be enough orders to go ahead with production of a particular roadname. If 3rd Rail only gets orders for (2) Kodachrome SD40-2's they will not be produced. Based on past discussions about previous 3rd Rail diesels I believe at least (20) of a particular paint scheme need to be ordered to get it on the production schedule but the minimum quantity required is known only to 3rd Rail unless they choose to put the number out here.
Muddying the waters here is in the case of the Chicago & North Western SD40-2 is that there are three different paint schemes: 1970's Traditional Yellow, 1980's Safety/Zito Yellow and 1990's Traditional Yellow. There is also a 'Falcon Service' variation (2 units) of the 1970's Traditional Yellow and an 'Operation Lifesaver' version of the 1990's Traditional Yellow too. Both could be offered since it is a variation of the basic paint scheme where only additional graphics are needed. Anyway, there could be over twenty people who want to order a CNW SD40-2 but then question is how many want which paint scheme? If only one person wants 1980's Safety/Zito Yellow but eighteen want 1970's Traditional Yellow it is obvious which one will be produced. If a "tie" as in ten of each then I don't know how 3rd Rail handles that situation - could do both if factory agrees to it, choose one over the other or contact all who pre-ordered one explaining the situation asking for votes/changes to tip the scales in favor of one scheme?
Hope this helps as I experienced some of this stuff when I was reserving some of 3rd Rail's E8/E9 models earlier this year.
Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:elementdude195 posted:Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
This is my attempt to answer the question regarding details.
The latest 3rd rail diesel offerings have all been ABS plastic with lots of separately applied brass detail parts. What sets these diesels apart from the main stream manufacturers is, all the road specific details, the horizontal drive system which is much better and stronger then China drive. This also allows room for a fully detailed hand painted cab interior. Most other manufacturers have the vertical can motor sticking right up through the cab, put an engineer figure in and call it a day. In 3rd rail models the motor isn't near the cab but it's right above the fuel tank, allowing room for a full sized cab interior.
Fully sprung brass and metal trucks, And lastly fixed pilots with full length hand rails on all the models. Hope this helps. I can post pics of my 3rd rail E7 later when I'm home. For me... Those details plus the drive system are worth (in my own oppinion) the higher price.
If your more art, history, and detail driven in your model train purchases I would try a 3rd rail model. I hope this helps a little bit. Regarding your first sentences asking about abs bodies and detail.
David
Thank you for the replies. Need clarification if I do end up say buying two of the same railroads does Sunset guys give me different road numbers automatically? Also, when announced units are ordered and that special instruction field is filled out it counts as an order for two units even though the suggestion may not be considered. Correct?
elementdude195 posted:645 posted:elementdude195 posted:Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
These SD40-2's (and most other 3rd Rail diesel locomotive and passenger car offerings) should be highly detailed ABS plastic. I believe the 3rd Rail steam locomotives are brass.
As for suggestions it is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than announce certain road names with no flexibility 3rd Rail has elected to go with the popular vote here - roadnames not part of the official announcement but requested / reserved / pre-ordered will be made *IF* enough reservations are received for same. "Suggestion" is not really the proper word here as that won't mean it will be produced. What counts here is a pre-order / reservation such as "I will buy two of 'Railroad X' in this paint scheme."
Using the Santa Fe Kodachrome scheme already mentioned in this thread as an example here is how it works. Someone suggested it. Fine, but that is not a pre-order / reservation. Now if someone orders say (2) of them using the 'suggestion' area on the order form that counts as a vote to produce it. Now for the tricky part - there has to be enough orders to go ahead with production of a particular roadname. If 3rd Rail only gets orders for (2) Kodachrome SD40-2's they will not be produced. Based on past discussions about previous 3rd Rail diesels I believe at least (20) of a particular paint scheme need to be ordered to get it on the production schedule but the minimum quantity required is known only to 3rd Rail unless they choose to put the number out here.
Muddying the waters here is in the case of the Chicago & North Western SD40-2 is that there are three different paint schemes: 1970's Traditional Yellow, 1980's Safety/Zito Yellow and 1990's Traditional Yellow. There is also a 'Falcon Service' variation (2 units) of the 1970's Traditional Yellow and an 'Operation Lifesaver' version of the 1990's Traditional Yellow too. Both could be offered since it is a variation of the basic paint scheme where only additional graphics are needed. Anyway, there could be over twenty people who want to order a CNW SD40-2 but then question is how many want which paint scheme? If only one person wants 1980's Safety/Zito Yellow but eighteen want 1970's Traditional Yellow it is obvious which one will be produced. If a "tie" as in ten of each then I don't know how 3rd Rail handles that situation - could do both if factory agrees to it, choose one over the other or contact all who pre-ordered one explaining the situation asking for votes/changes to tip the scales in favor of one scheme?
Hope this helps as I experienced some of this stuff when I was reserving some of 3rd Rail's E8/E9 models earlier this year.
Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:elementdude195 posted:Could I get an explanation of the trains these guys make? I am hoping an owner of their trains could chime in. I understand it's more pricey and has superior details. Looks like these will be ABS plastic, I always thought all they made were die-cast or brass.
I also couldn't figure out what the suggestion is for. Is that how someone would get multiple road numbers like the member above my post saying 2 Kodachromes reserved or is it for something really custom like a specific road number or something odd? Am I missing anything else? I am obviously not an owner of their trains and don't want to take a leap into the unknown if I put in a reservation without some research.
Thanks
This is my attempt to answer the question regarding details.
The latest 3rd rail diesel offerings have all been ABS plastic with lots of separately applied brass detail parts. What sets these diesels apart from the main stream manufacturers is, all the road specific details, the horizontal drive system which is much better and stronger then China drive. This also allows room for a fully detailed hand painted cab interior. Most other manufacturers have the vertical can motor sticking right up through the cab, put an engineer figure in and call it a day. In 3rd rail models the motor isn't near the cab but it's right above the fuel tank, allowing room for a full sized cab interior.
Fully sprung brass and metal trucks, And lastly fixed pilots with full length hand rails on all the models. Hope this helps. I can post pics of my 3rd rail E7 later when I'm home. For me... Those details plus the drive system are worth (in my own oppinion) the higher price.
If your more art, history, and detail driven in your model train purchases I would try a 3rd rail model. I hope this helps a little bit. Regarding your first sentences asking about abs bodies and detail.
David
Thank you for the replies. Need clarification if I do end up say buying two of the same railroads does Sunset guys give me different road numbers automatically? Also, when announced units are ordered and that special instruction field is filled out it counts as an order for two units even though the suggestion may not be considered. Correct?
Yes if you order 2 of the same road name you will get 2 seperate cab numbers. The only time they don't do that is if the engine prototypically only has 1 or 2 cab numbers (example would be Pennsy 1 stripe green alco PA's. Only 2 were painted like that so only 2 cab numbers will be made.)
im not sure about the 2nd part of your question. If you order 2 engines of an announced road name. You will be invoiced for those engines shortly before they arrive. If they are not produced then your order will be cancelled. If you write in a suggestion (example 2 Cargill sd40-2's) and it's just you and like 1 other person who orders that road name. That's not enough to make that road name. But if they meet the minimum requirement; i.e. Enough ppl order Cargill sd40-2's, then your suggested engines will be produced.
Is there any info. on what roads will be produced so far? Thanks.
There is, you go to the 3RD Rail website and look at either the announcement page or the reservation page
Matt Makens posted:There is, you go to the 3RD Rail website and look at either the announcement page or the reservation page
The list that is shown is no gaurantee that any particular scheme will be produced. It will be 6 months or so before the list becomes close to being finalized. And even then... It is quite fascinating to watch people whine that they missed the deadline and there are insufficient reservations for something and all of a sudden they want to reserve something. The Amtrak E8/9s had 6 reservations when that happened and within a couple weeks after the cancellation there were a total of 20 reservations. It's magic I tell ya.
If you are looking for a list of those that already have sufficient reservations you would have to ask Scott, who, OBW, is back in China inspecting the SD7/9s and S-12s for shipment from China; and other stuff.
As of last week there were none that had met the minimum.
Great, I cant wait to get my 2 CNW SD9's. I want em now now now!!!!
Matt Makens posted:Great, I cant wait to get my 2 CNW SD9's. I want em now now now!!!!
Patience, young Jedi.
At lease I will not have to worry about ordering SP SD40-2's! without the special cooling package!
I know Matt, I'm being patient. I just let the dog off the chain there for a minute. I'm pretty excited to get em, they're my favorite engine. I'm also pretty stoked about the rest of the el cap coming too
Matt Makens posted:I know Matt, I'm being patient. I just let the dog off the chain there for a minute. I'm pretty excited to get em, they're my favorite engine. I'm also pretty stoked about the rest of the el cap coming too
I know. Just jerking your chain. I'm trying to figure out next years train budget as I'm leaning toward petitioning SD40-2's in CNW livery Zito "See it from Space" yellow would be nice, but I'll take 'em any way 3rd Rail does them if they get enough reservations. If next year's budget is bigger, I might order a pair in Santa Fe as well.
I like the traditional yellow especially the late versions with the Operation Life Saver logo. I'll take what I can get but since our hopes are hinged on the CNW matching some UP locos do Scott can use the same tooling I think late model versions and schemes are our best bet
Guys, on the E8/E9s we are good to go on most all roads listed as good to go. We will be negotiating the contract for this project next week. Also, will be discussing the possibility of SD40-2 high hood modifications to the tools.
Your enthusiasm and orders is what make these projects possible.
We've also been working with QSI on the 2 Rail sound system to have a dual speaker, true stereo Q3 system installed in the E8/E9s. For all models we will be using ball bearing supported journals for full transfer of power from the Canon motor and sprung as well in both 2 Rail and 3 Rail.
Once we have a contract signed we will send out reservation confirmations on the E8/E9s next week.
Cheers,
If you can do high hoods, you can do the "snoot" nose
If I decide to request a SOO SD40-2 in the 1972 numbers and scheme, then Lionel and MTH will both finally have the SOO GP30s in their catalogs to order.
Andrew
I have no dog in this fight, yet, but if I decide to pull the trigger on these engines it will be for the traditional C&NW colors, (Apple Green and Stagecoach yellow) NOT the Zito Yellow.
I’m with Matt, its nice to get anything in C&NW, but the original yellow and green are so much nicer then the other options/variations that were used through the later years.
Obviously I only have a say if I pay.
Charlie
My SD9's would look awesome with a set of SD40-2s. I do have a dog, here she is but shes a lover not a fighter. Im lobbying cuz I really want these.
Attachments
I have two, brass, 3rd Rail, Dash-9's in Santa Fe War bonnet colors; one of them used to reside in a display case in our condo living room until we sold the place; I wanted it where I could see it's beautiful paint scheme and details, every time I walked past it! I am still in awe of both qualities but should have ordered the second one in BNSF lettering; oh well, guess I'm stuck with it/them! I bought them because they were brass and super detailed; I am still on the fence about buying this new plastic-bodied diesel for about what I paid for each of my brass models.
Ron Balderrama posted:I have two, brass, 3rd Rail, Dash-9's in Santa Fe War bonnet colors; one of them used to reside in a display case in our condo living room until we sold the place; I wanted it where I could see it's beautiful paint scheme and details, every time I walked past it! I am still in awe of both qualities but should have ordered the second one in BNSF lettering; oh well, guess I'm stuck with it/them! I bought them because they were brass and super detailed; I am still on the fence about buying this new plastic-bodied diesel for about what I paid for each of my brass models.
Scotts SD40-2s should be a very highly detailed model, JMO but the 3rd Rail GE-9s were a very plain model with minimal detail, the best thing about them was that they were built in brass and available in both 2 and 3 rail versions I don't know how well they run but I have seen them at shows over the years going for 400 +/-.
The SD40 that Lionel makes could be offered in two road numbers for the Soo Line in 2017, so I do not know what to choose until 2017.
Andrew
I've got two Lionel Legacy SD40-2s and I like em a lot but they're not sd40-2s, the porches aren't long enough they are really more SD40ish
$729.95!
It has been over 3 years and 3rd Rail still has my GTW SD40-2 reservation in their system.
When will there be enough orders to start production on the SD40-2???
Can Scott and company add the GRAND TRUNK WESTERN blue and red scheme to the SD40-2 official list?
Andrew
As I understand, the SD-40-2 project was put on hold, or replaced with the GP7/GP9 project which very quickly filled out enough reservations and has gone to final design and production this summer. I have seen no word on the SD40 project.
Still listed on Sunsets website, this model had low reservations from the start. The newest GE-9 diesel has a near 25% price increase to account for a lower reservation count to produce, probably the trend for future models. JMO
Pretty much dead. Less than half the minimum. Because there are so many variations and so few reservations per variation it's pretty much not going to happen.
They have not entirely canceled it and erased the orders.
Andrew
It would be nice if it was just canceled and removed from the website. I have two reserved (MP and Frisco) but if canceled, I can redirect my $ (reservation/obligation) to another project to help reach a minimum. Many of us have only so much $ available. So many nice models offered but not all get to production thresholds.
Then it appears that everybody who ordered an SD40-2 is going to have to order a second SD40-2 in order to get the order numbers to the desired level.
Andrew
@falconservice posted:Then it appears that everybody who ordered an SD40-2 is going to have to order a second SD40-2 in order to get the order numbers to the desired level.
Andrew
I already ordered two!