UPDATE ... March 2024: 3rd Rail SD40-2's

@GG1 4877 posted:

There is no commitment of funds to make a reservation.  Not sure where that information came from.  The commitment is to pay for the model after it is produced and then it will be delivered to you with a very flexible refund policy if you are not satisfied.  If indeed the road name you placed a pre-order on gets cancelled you are only out the disappointment that the road you were looking for didn't get enough orders.

Road names are cancelled prior to start of production so Scott reaches out to customers directly and asks if they would like to order another road name or cancel their pre-order.  You will not miss out on your second choice because your first choice got canceled.

This is how it works for Sunset.  That is why Sunset is like no other manufacturer in this scale or pretty much any other scale.  Name another manufacturer who does this much output where you deal with the owner directly?

The reality is one engine can and has made a difference between a road name going forward or not going forward.  Lessons learned from past projects will make this even more likely in the future.

As for 2nd runs?  The E7 had 3.5 runs if you include the version made for the "Train of Tomorrow".  F7s had two runs.  There is a second run of F3s being offered with limited road names.  On the other hand, the FL9, FT, FP7, and SD7/9 have never been offered for second runs as much as some of us would like that.  PAs, E5s, 6s, 8s, and 9s have yet to be re-run.  In short, 2nd runs are a big if.  The same is true for a lot of the GGD passenger train sets.  I'd like to see some re-runs that I missed out on.  Not counting on it.

For all of us who support Sunset in our various roles it is our hope is that good quality models get produced for people who truly enjoy quality product that performs well.  It has never been anything less than that.

At this point in my life I don’t spend money I don’t already have on any of my hobby purchases, therefore I would make a personal commitment to keep the money available in my train purchase fund to pay for the reserved engine.  So, if the reserved engine is not produced I may have missed out on an opportunity to purchase something else because I would not spend any of the committed money to make that other purchase.  

Thanks for the nudge TrainBub!  I was "on the fence" about reserving more MoPac SD40-2s, but no longer - email sent yesterday.  I've been collecting specific items over the years for an eventual 2R layout for retirement.  This is likely the best chance to get high quality 2R models in both my favorite road and loco that may not come around when I'm laying track 10 years from now.   

Time for me to be a squeaky wheel.  I posted pics of my N-scale units on the 2R thread, so apologies for reposting here.  I figured I'd keep up the momentum with MP modelers and get these pics in front of Jonathon.  I originally told Sunset I'd take late version with dynamic brakes thinking they may have a higher chance of getting produced, but MP had many more SD40-2s that were non-DB.  Here are my preferred versions in order:

#1:  Late version, non-DB, brake wheel, corrugated radiator grilles, bell at rear of long hood.

#2:  Late version, w/DB, brake wheel, corrugated radiator grilles, bell at rear of long hood (#6000-6019 had lights on the short hood like DRGW).

#3:  Early version, non-DB (either double eagle like 3092 or sawblade logo on cab), ratchet brake, chicken wire grilles, bell more forward on long hood).

Not to assume that MoPac will make the cut, but it could easily be reversed for me if SLSF or MKT were getting produced instead.  I like Frisco and MKT and love their paint schemes, but I can't justify the expense for secondary roads on my future layout.  If MP was cancelled I'd likely pass on a second choice. 

While each modeler's situation is different, I think Sunset's reservation policy is more than fair.  I understand the point of having funds earmarked for a model that may get cancelled, but that's better than trying to get your cancelled reservation deposit refunded that has been tied up for months in someone else's bank account.

~Tim

@Tim Mc posted:

Thanks for the nudge TrainBub!  I was "on the fence" about reserving more MoPac SD40-2s, but no longer - email sent yesterday.  I've been collecting specific items over the years for an eventual 2R layout for retirement.  This is likely the best chance to get high quality 2R models in both my favorite road and loco that may not come around when I'm laying track 10 years from now.   

Time for me to be a squeaky wheel.  I posted pics of my N-scale units on the 2R thread, so apologies for reposting here.  I figured I'd keep up the momentum with MP modelers and get these pics in front of Jonathon.  I originally told Sunset I'd take late version with dynamic brakes thinking they may have a higher chance of getting produced, but MP had many more SD40-2s that were non-DB.  Here are my preferred versions in order:

#1:  Late version, non-DB, brake wheel, corrugated radiator grilles, bell at rear of long hood.

#2:  Late version, w/DB, brake wheel, corrugated radiator grilles, bell at rear of long hood (#6000-6019 had lights on the short hood like DRGW).

#3:  Early version, non-DB (either double eagle like 3092 or sawblade logo on cab), ratchet brake, chicken wire grilles, bell more forward on long hood).

Not to assume that MoPac will make the cut, but it could easily be reversed for me if SLSF or MKT were getting produced instead.  I like Frisco and MKT and love their paint schemes, but I can't justify the expense for secondary roads on my future layout.  If MP was cancelled I'd likely pass on a second choice.

While each modeler's situation is different, I think Sunset's reservation policy is more than fair.  I understand the point of having funds earmarked for a model that may get cancelled, but that's better than trying to get your cancelled reservation deposit refunded that has been tied up for months in someone else's bank account.

~Tim

Thanks for helping with a MP reservation for this model. It’s tough to get a MP model to fly - especially one in Jenks Blue. Any of the examples you've show are Fine by me.  I think if the MP model is in the run, we will get one version.  
The fact that it’s taken a Long Time to now get to perhaps the threshold of production is a good indication that this run will be one and done. I look forward to seeing this model Finally go into production !!!!!
Cheers !!!

@GregM posted:

At this point in my life I don’t spend money I don’t already have on any of my hobby purchases, therefore I would make a personal commitment to keep the money available in my train purchase fund to pay for the reserved engine.  So, if the reserved engine is not produced I may have missed out on an opportunity to purchase something else because I would not spend any of the committed money to make that other purchase.  

How you choose to make purchases is of course entirely your choice.  I was simply explaining how Sunset's reservation process works.   

Based on Richard's firm order for Feromex SD40-2, I removed NdeM, which had no reservations to date and replaced it with Feromex.

Some other roads will also be dropped due to too few reservations at this time and we will contact each customer to offer substitutions or just placing their reservations in a 2nd category  SD40-2b - which we can access for a possible second run. But I have to tell you, this usually doesn't pan out and we never seem get enough interest for these lightly reserved roads. The numbers tell the story.

Overall the SD40-2 / SD-40T-2 has enough orders to move forward (350) and we are beginning work on the matrix of details for each road name.

The following projects are moving forward at this time:

F3-Run #2 - In Production arriving July

Krauss Maffei - In production Arriving Sept

C&O Hudson - In production Arriving Sept

Amfleet / Viewliners - In production Arriving  July

SP Daylight - Will be next in line after Amfleet/Viewliners - finishing in the fall.

120 Ton VGN Gondola's we hope to deliver by end of the year.

Hiawatha Run #2 - End of the Year

C&O Chessie Cars - Design is done, Production in early 2022.

1948 20th Century Ltd - Design is done, End of the year / Early Next year

EAB/E1AB - Design is done, Tooling begins - End of the year / Early Next year

SD40-2 - Design has yet to begin so production will be late this year, early next year.

Milwaukee Road EP-3: Design order has been made, 2022 production

B&O Capitol Ltd. 2022

1948 Broadway Ltd 2022

T&P / MOPAC Eagle Cars 2022 Late

Southern Crescent Cars 2023

FA/FB: 2022

NYC R2: 2022

NYC H10 Mikado: 2022

Dash-9: 2023

SP MM-3 Steam will be produced in 2022. Design has been ordered.

It's been suggested to offer the Mopac E6 again, so customers can order confidently both the engine and the Eagle cars. We're going to offer this as an E5/E6 Rerun for 2022-2023. Then we will schedule the T&P / Mopac Cars.

Richard, Bradley and I have been working on the SDP40F, FP45 and F45 project outline. We will announce these in the coming months and see where they take us. We will release these engines one at a time, so as to give our customers the chance to order all of them in succession and it also helps us maximize sales so we or you don't have to drop one for the other. they will not be cheap as they are short runs and all new tools.

We are going to double down on our detail confirmations on these projects so we can avoid any mistakes. This slows things down a bit but should result in less errors in detail, painting and lettering. I am committed to improving, always.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer. It's so nice to get out and do normal things once again.

Keep well.

@sdmann posted:

Based on Richard's firm order for Feromex SD40-2, I removed NdeM, which had no reservations to date and replaced it with Feromex.

Some other roads will also be dropped due to too few reservations at this time and we will contact each customer to offer substitutions or just placing their reservations in a 2nd category  SD40-2b - which we can access for a possible second run. But I have to tell you, this usually doesn't pan out and we never seem get enough interest for these lightly reserved roads. The numbers tell the story.

Overall the SD40-2 / SD-40T-2 has enough orders to move forward (350) and we are beginning work on the matrix of details for each road name.

The following projects are moving forward at this time:

F3-Run #2 - In Production arriving July

Krauss Maffei - In production Arriving Sept

C&O Hudson - In production Arriving Sept

Amfleet / Viewliners - In production Arriving  July

SP Daylight - Will be next in line after Amfleet/Viewliners - finishing in the fall.

120 Ton VGN Gondola's we hope to deliver by end of the year.

Hiawatha Run #2 - End of the Year

C&O Chessie Cars - Design is done, Production in early 2022.

1948 20th Century Ltd - Design is done, End of the year / Early Next year

EAB/E1AB - Design is done, Tooling begins - End of the year / Early Next year

SD40-2 - Design has yet to begin so production will be late this year, early next year.

Milwaukee Road EP-3: Design order has been made, 2022 production

B&O Capitol Ltd. 2022

1948 Broadway Ltd 2022

T&P / MOPAC Eagle Cars 2022 Late

Southern Crescent Cars 2023

FA/FB: 2022

NYC R2: 2022

NYC H10 Mikado: 2022

Dash-9: 2023

SP MM-3 Steam will be produced in 2022. Design has been ordered.

It's been suggested to offer the Mopac E6 again, so customers can order confidently both the engine and the Eagle cars. We're going to offer this as an E5/E6 Rerun for 2022-2023. Then we will schedule the T&P / Mopac Cars.

Richard, Bradley and I have been working on the SDP40F, FP45 and F45 project outline. We will announce these in the coming months and see where they take us. We will release these engines one at a time, so as to give our customers the chance to order all of them in succession and it also helps us maximize sales so we or you don't have to drop one for the other. they will not be cheap as they are short runs and all new tools.

We are going to double down on our detail confirmations on these projects so we can avoid any mistakes. This slows things down a bit but should result in less errors in detail, painting and lettering. I am committed to improving, always.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer. It's so nice to get out and do normal things once again.

Keep well.

Excellent update !!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
This scheduling  note helps me plan my train $ budget - I’m sure others too.
Cheers !!!

Thanks for the update Scott, that was very helpful

The timeframe really helps me set aside funds

Are you considering a 2nd on those GP9?

So, now you know where the bubble is.  I've guaranteed that Ferromex will be 1 of the 20.  Also BN (not BNSF) and Santa Fe (again, not BNSF) together have between 75 and 100 reservations. So that leaves 17 variations.

2nd GP9s?  At least 3 years in the future.  Limited to 20 variations the 1st run would not have happened so you can go from there.

Thanks to your guarantee on Ferromex Richard, I'm changing my reservation.  That is a great paint scheme.

Agreed that GP7/9s may be a while off if at all.

I was wondering about the delivery of the Amfleets and Viewliners, so as always thank you very much Scott. Your frequent communication with us makes me even more excited to get those cars. It makes me a strong believer in the quality of your products, as well as your customer service.

In addition to that, it is very good to hear that you and your team are thinking about doing some of Amtrak's original locomotives they ordered since its formation. I'm very surprised that to this day very little was done for these locomotives in 3-rail. I'm sure MTH's FP-45 was reasonable for it's time, but they never did anything to update it visually. And then of course the Williams version, which I love very much, is semi-scale and really fits best with other "traditionally sized" trains. So thank you very much for even considering these locomotives. I can only pray at this point that they do come into fruition.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Thanks to your guarantee on Ferromex Richard, I'm changing my reservation.  That is a great paint scheme.

Agreed that GP7/9s may be a while off if at all.

Thanks Jonathan!  3-rail I assume?  If anyone is thinking about one in 3-rail you will need to reserve because I'm only interested in 2-rail.  Only reservations will cause 3-rail Ferromex to happen.

Thank you for the update Scott! That helps all of us know when to expect these runs and should help out with orders. I know it helps me to space out the sets.

I will also add a shameless plug for the Illinois Central Death Star paint scheme. I currently have 4 on order if anyone is on the fence or interested.

@rdunniii posted:

Thanks Jonathan!  3-rail I assume?  If anyone is thinking about one in 3-rail you will need to reserve because I'm only interested in 2-rail.  Only reservations will cause 3-rail Ferromex to happen.

You know me too well Richard.  3 rail if it's not CNJ or PRR.   All my GP7s are 2R.  I'm thinking two in Ferromex to go with the ATSF one I already had and dumping the 2R Conrail.  It was WAY out of era for my 2R modeling.  Only by 20 years, but still.   

@rdunniii posted:

So, now you know where the bubble is.  I've guaranteed that Ferromex will be 1 of the 20.  Also BN (not BNSF) and Santa Fe (again, not BNSF) together have between 75 and 100 reservations. So that leaves 17 variations.

2nd GP9s?  At least 3 years in the future.  Limited to 20 variations the 1st run would not have happened so you can go from there.

Well, this a nice start to the final line-up. BN and Santa Fe big numbers. Pretty predictable. Does “Not BNSF” mean it’s dropped ? Not including SF Kodachrome with SF imply SF-K won’t fly ?  Ferromex. Wow !!! That’s an interesting trump card and replacing NDM. So be it. Numbers of Reservations RULE !!!!!  
That leaves the rest of us waiting on a final line-up - I hope not too long. Canceled road name reservations can be moved in the SD40-2 offering, perhaps boosting another road and making a difference .... OR can be used on another project that also could use some more reservations !!!! I hope Scott can move on this soon and firm up the SD40-2 line up.

GP7-9 run 2 ?   Pass.
I look forward to eventually seeing the Alco FAs done and am Excited to see Scott say the E5,6 Will See a Run 2 !!!!!!

Cheers !!!!!! 😜

@TrainBub posted:

Well, this a nice start to the final line-up. BN and Santa Fe big numbers. Pretty predictable. Does “Not BNSF” mean it’s dropped ? Not including SF Kodachrome with SF imply SF-K won’t fly ?  Ferromex. Wow !!! That’s an interesting trump card and replacing NDM. So be it. Numbers of Reservations RULE !!!!!  

...

Cheers !!!!!! 😜

No clue what BNSF numbers are.  I asked what the two biggest were.  Between the 500 different paint varieties for BNSF I shall keep my distance.  It will be the one in the picture as far as I know but there will be people who question that decision vociferously.

Are those possible E5/E6 reruns only going to be Mopac? Or are there going to be other road names offered?

@Cogen1981 posted:

Are those possible E5/E6 reruns only going to be Mopac? Or are there going to be other road names offered?

I has to be all.   The run 2 would Never fly with MP alone.

@TrainBub posted:

Well, this a nice start to the final line-up. BN and Santa Fe big numbers. Pretty predictable. Does “Not BNSF” mean it’s dropped ? Not including SF Kodachrome with SF imply SF-K won’t fly ?  Ferromex. Wow !!! That’s an interesting trump card and replacing NDM. So be it. Numbers of Reservations RULE !!!!!  
That leaves the rest of us waiting on a final line-up - I hope not too long. Canceled road name reservations can be moved in the SD40-2 offering, perhaps boosting another road and making a difference .... OR can be used on another project that also could use some more reservations !!!! I hope Scott can move on this soon and firm up the SD40-2 line up.

GP7-9 run 2 ?   Pass.
I look forward to eventually seeing the Alco FAs done and am Excited to see Scott say the E5,6 Will See a Run 2 !!!!!!

Cheers !!!!!! 😜

I’ll be darned. Scott’s posted “standby reservations accepted for possible second run” for GPs. So.... MP fans and I appeal to Jenks blue MP SD40-2 reservations. The MP GP in Jenks did not get enough reservations to get done. Here’s a possible 2nd chance to get the later paint MP GP. It’d be great to lash up with the SD40-2. Give it a look.  The GP models are Superb !!  Cheers 😜

If MP SD40-2 makes the final 20, numbering becomes important relative to which model is produced - with or without dynamic brakes. Each had specific numbers. The dynamic brake models (at least initially) were used for coal service and were labeled SD40-2c. They ventured deep into Colorado and I believe into Wyoming (Powder River Basin) for coal drags.

Just this week I signed up for .... Death Star .... Have an MTH SD40-2 Death Star dummy, hopefully they look good together.