I received notice several days ago that my set of 3rd Rail El Cap passenger cars will be delivered this Friday. Very excited as this will be our first ever purchase from Scott. I am very optimistic that these cars will blow me away in uniqueness, quality and finish! Has anyone else received a delivery date for this great looking set?
Peter
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hey Pete, I am scheduled to receive delivery today from UPS. My first purchase from them too.
Looking forward to some pictures!
I only have one separate-purchase El Cap Lounge car coming out of this production run, so those one-off orders must be shipping last. I just checked the UPS tracking number from the email I received on 2/15, and the status is still showing the dreaded "Label Created, Ready for UPS" message. No hurry on this end, but my credit card HAS been charged... so it would be nice to at least get this puppy past the "Ready for UPS" stage. 
David
LOL. My delivery update from UPS just went from today to Friday.
I received my set in Amtrak today, but will have to wait until after work to open the boxes. Seeing that my first run Santa Fe El Cap gets more run time than any other passenger train right now, I think I'll be pleased.
Mark Gannucci posted:LOL. My delivery update from UPS just went from today to Friday.
Lol! My delivery date was initially today but it was updated over the weekend to this coming Friday. Kind of glad for the delay as my 7 defective Atlas GSC CZ cars just came back from Atlas on Monday and I still haven't had a chance to even open the boxes to take a look at them. I think if all of this stuff showed up on the same day (a) I would have blown up from experiencing "overwhelmed-kid-itis," and (b) my wife would've used both barrels on me. ��
I had mine paid for in full about a month ago. I like being able to drop payments on my trains while they're on order. Ive had the 8 car set since last summer and I love it. Now I have 5 more coming another baggage, 3 coaches, an RPO and an extra lounge car so I guess I have 6 more coming. Weird how I just forgot about a $300 train car. Im pretty excited to get the rest and Im really excited Scott re-ran the F7s.
All Domestic Paid orders shipped as of end of business today 2-22-2017 by UPS. Your tracking information will update when UPS scans your order in our system.
While every effort has been made both at the factory and at our office to check, pack and deliver your models in the best condition, we can't control everything. So if there are problems, you know what to do... we are here to help.
Scott Mann
Thanks for the update, Scott!!!
David
Crappy cell phone pics but this set is everything I expected and more!
Just for comparison. 
Those Amtrak models look cool. And the fact that Scott offered those on an as-requested basis mid-way through production is unbelievable. Very nice!
Enjoy!!!!
David
Hi Scott
I know you have many tigers on your tail. So be it. You are a business man. I know my El Capitan set and addition cars will arrive in due time. I am not in the least bit upset.
My best regards
t
sdmann posted:All Domestic Paid orders shipped as of end of business today 2-22-2017 by UPS. Your tracking information will update when UPS scans your order in our system.
While every effort has been made both at the factory and at our office to check, pack and deliver your models in the best condition, we can't control everything. So if there are problems, you know what to do... we are here to help.
Scott Mann
Thanks for the status update. The package coming Friday versus ttoday doesn't mean anything to me. It's all relative anyway, right? I mean, delivery was anticipated (for me) this Wednesday and pushed out slightly to Friday. But if Friday was a pull up from a later date, people would be thrilled - even though in both cases the cars would deliver on the same day.
Peter
GG1 4877 posted:Crappy cell phone pics but this set is everything I expected and more!
Hey, this is great! First photos of the new set. Very cool. Thanks!
Peter
GG1 4877 posted:Just for comparison.
I'm missing something. I don't see this car in AMTRAK on the GGD site.
The Amtrak second run much like the first was all built to order as the interest in Amtrak has been limited in the past. There is no extra stock. Santa Fe being the more popular scheme had some sets done without buyers to fill out the order. When Scott announced the second run in Amtrak a year ago I ordered it within 5 minutes :-)
I beat your 5 minute time when he announced the 2nd run of F7s by 4 minutes. Yes it's a contest
Hahahaha!!!! I don't mind loosing this contest. I really wanted to order an ABBA of Warbonnets on the second run but it just pencil out at the moment. I'll be sticking with less than adequate Scaleking FP45s for a while as I have 6 so I can rotate them through my own Cleburne shops 
For the Amtrak set I have a non prototypical FP45 and and an F40PH to pull it until E8s arrive. Amtrak often paired F40s and SDP40Fs on long distance trains.
Jonathan,
Don't underestimate those little "I think I can, I think I can" RK locomotives. Believe it or not, my one little RK Scale RS1 pulls an entire 12 car California Zephyr passenger train consist - and our current layout has a couple of 12' - 14' 2.8% grades. At a street price of $250, I'd say that is one heck of a deal.
Peter,
Don't get me wrong. I really like FP45s as they are more my generation than F units. I buy mine used on FleaBay for about 200 each when they come up. they look good pulling the El Capitan. In real life they did pull the Santa Fe version from 1967 through 1971 and after could be seen pulling the same train under Amtrak. They are a bargain.
Well we're just going to keep buggin Scott until he makes those FP45s 
Laidoffsick posted:Well we're just going to keep buggin Scott until he makes those FP45s
Based on the fact that Scott was willing and able to accommodate the Amtrak paint scheme requests mid-stream, I'd say there is a distinct possibility ...
This was my first order with 3rd Rail and I am happy. After seeing the pictures in this thread I ordered shortly after Scott announced the second run. I also ordered four additional Amtrak cars but something went wrong and unfortunately they weren't made. Since I have the Empire Builder set (with engines) ordered I think my wallet is happier.... And, although not prototypical I hope to have the Atlas Amtrak F7s pulling the cars once Mr Muffins ships the powered units (I've only received the non-powered B at the moment).
My only negative about the cars are the LED light strips are too short resulting in the interior ends of the cars being very dark where as the middle 2/3 of the car is nicely lighted.
One word of caution to everyone; as I removed the cars from the wrapping four of them had screws fall on the floor (1 screw each on three cars and 4 screws on another). I have not been able to reinstall all of the screws because the holes are not lining up but with eight screws total along the middle bottom I don't think one missing will be problem.
- Jeff
F40s and the P42 are my generation but as in scanning my dads slide collection he has thousands of SP, Santa Fe, UP, WP, EL, WABASH, CB&Q to name a few Alcos , F-units, E units, Erie builts, diesel hydraulics. Tons and tons of really great pics that just make me fall in love with all those older locos. 1967 I have the El Cap being pulled by Alcos
Anybody getting the Headrest backings from Forum sponsor Scale City designs?
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Anybody getting the Headrest backings from Forum sponsor Scale City designs?
No, they are not prototypical ...
... no food stains or greasy hair shiny spots anywhere.
Seriously, these are nice - if I had gone with the Amtrak version and was inclined to open up these cars, this would be a very nice touch!
Peter
FP45s and F45 are not difficult to do as one project. SDP40Fs as desirable as they are for many of us, myself included, are a little more complicated from a tooling standpoint. There are several critical details in the base tool that are very different. Not that it couldn't happen, it just would likely take a lot more orders to get it done at a price point that is palatable to buyers or make it a brass project and understand that it will be roughly a $1000 or more for a run of 100.
Matt Makens posted:F40s and the P42 are my generation but as in scanning my dads slide collection he has thousands of SP, Santa Fe, UP, WP, EL, WABASH, CB&Q to name a few Alcos , F-units, E units, Erie builts, diesel hydraulics. Tons and tons of really great pics that just make me fall in love with all those older locos. 1967 I have the El Cap being pulled by Alcos
I am similar although the P42 came out when I was firmly into adulting for a living. The F40PH is really my generations F unit. I love them and have many of them various paint schemes in 3 rail. However when it comes to my more serious model railroading, I am focusing on models from the mid 1950's in 2 rail for my eventual NY&LB layout at home. The Pennsy side is complete with the exception of a streamlined Sunset GG1 in 2 rails, a PA and a Passenger Shark. The CNJ side is woefully inadequate now due to a lack of much of anything accurate for that road.
GG1 4877 posted:FP45s and F45 are not difficult to do as one project. SDP40Fs as desirable as they are for many of us, myself included, are a little more complicated from a tooling standpoint. There are several critical details in the base tool that are very different. Not that it couldn't happen, it just would likely take a lot more orders to get it done at a price point that is palatable to buyers or make it a brass project and understand that it will be roughly a $1000 or more for a run of 100.
3 Amtrak schemes, Santa Fe yellowbonnet, BNSF stamped, Maersk and EMD.
i thought you can sell anything so long as it has keystones or a warbonnet on it?
SantaFeJim posted:
SantaFeJim - thanks for sharing. Great vid clip!
Peter
645 posted:Laidoffsick posted:Well we're just going to keep buggin Scott until he makes those FP45s
Don't forget the F45's and SDP40F's too!
Nope, I'm selfish. All I want is FP45's in the original Warbonnet and the Superfleet.
Here is another video of the full 12 car set (1st Run)
Ya know what's awesome about the 2nd run of cars.... NO THUMB TACKS! That is wonderful...thank you Scott Mann.
IMO these cars look even better than the first run. Maybe cuz mine have a little dust on them now, but these look super nice.
My El Capitan came today. Wow really nice cars. The vestibule has come off on a few of the cars. What would be a good glue to use to put them back on? Man these cars are sweet. OK found it Gap Filling Ca with a kicker for putting the vestibule back on.
Laidoffsick posted:IMO these cars look even better than the first run. Maybe cuz mine have a little dust on them now, but these look super nice.
Nice vid and nice layout. Thanks for sharing.
I went to UPS to get my two boxes. Too wiped to even think about opening them tonight. Making a huge Creole feast tomorrow for our annual Mardi Gras dinner party tomorrow night - happy Mardi Gras weekend everyone! But hoping to find some time tomorrow or at worst Sunday to open my first set ever from GGD!
Hoping more photos get posted!
Peter
Gweedo posted:My El Capitan came today. Wow really nice cars. The vestibule has come off on a few of the cars. What would be a good glue to use to put them back on? Man these cars are sweet.
I wouldn't glue them on. If you ever need to open the cars, they have to come off.
You'll need to open the cars to replace those LED boards with something better and add a few more passengers otherwise your railroad will go bankrupt from lack of passenger revenue and you'll have to paint them in Amtrak
Except in the O universe, passengers don't produce revenue but rather are a capital expenditure of about a 60¢ each. Maybe if you carry enough, you lose on each one but make it up on volume.
My 2005 K-line 21" Santa Fe Hi-levels are now officially superseded.
Laidoffsick said:
Maybe cuz mine have a little dust on them now, but these look super nice.
Try swifters for removing dust on passenger cars. They are anti-static and absolute safe over fine details and windows. If they don't clean, there is more than dust accumulation.
Woodshire Bill posted:My 2005 K-line 21" Santa Fe Hi-levels are now officially superseded.
Laidoffsick said:
Maybe cuz mine have a little dust on them now, but these look super nice.
Try swifters for removing dust on passenger cars. They are anti-static and absolute safe over fine details and windows. If they don't clean, there is more than dust accumulation.
That was just a little sarcasim on my part. My stuff gets dusted off quite often. I meant because I have been waiting for the 2nd run for so long.
Jeez Doug, stop being so offensive
Mine come Tuesday, I'll have to bust out some of the new haulers to put em in. I guess I got 6 more cars for some reason I thought it was only 5. That puts my hauler situation off kilter. I think I need to order a set of Alcos from 3rd Rail too
Laidoffsick posted:Gweedo posted:My El Capitan came today. Wow really nice cars. The vestibule has come off on a few of the cars. What would be a good glue to use to put them back on? Man these cars are sweet.
I wouldn't glue them on. If you ever need to open the cars, they have to come off.
Oh not actually the vestibule came off. It was the rubber part on the vestibule and a few of the silver things on the end of the rubber parts. Just used a little super glue and all is good. Had one of the LED boards hanging loose in the baggage dorm car. That was quite an adventure getting the car apart to get at the board to put a screw in and put it back up on top. Now kind of wish I would have ordered a few more cars. Three cars short of a twelve car set.
Finally got the chance to open the boxes and take a look at my first ever Sunset/3rd Rail purchase. This post reflects my initial thoughts, as I haven't yet removed the styrofoam in the trucks and diaphragms or run them. I'll do a fuller review at some point in the near future.
First impression:
Optics have a way of making an initial impression. From the outer packing to the individual boxes in which each El Capitan passenger car is carefully packed in styrofoam and plastic wrap tied with red string, the whole thing screams 'quality.'
Each car exterior is a work of art. True, much of this can be credited to the looks of the prototype. But the proportions and details seem right. The vents, the hand-applied details and everything about the sides and top make these cars seem like Sunset found a way to shrink the real cars down from 1:1 to 1:48. And, the weight of these cars is very nice. Overall, very nice looking while sitting on the rails. Turning the cars over, however, I was a little surprised that the undersides have almost no detail. Undersides are, for the most part, flat smooth sheets of metal. I'm not someone who gets overly concerned about the underside of a car, so I'm not out-of-sorts over it. But by the same token, cars at a much lower price point provide some level of underside detail (from Lionel cars with some, to Atlas cars that are incredibly detailed), so this was unexpected.
One small concern I had before this set arrived was that it would basically "blend in" with my Atlas GSC CZ cars, such that my Western passenger fleet would amount to a large monolithic or one-dimensional silver fleet. Well, I set the El Cap cars on the outer main next to my Atlas GSC CZ cars and they are obviously different fleets - even from a distance where you cannot readily see car detail. The metal color of these two fleets are different and, to me, the El Cap set has a more "real metal" looking color.
In terms of the interiors, the varied colors used on the upholstery add a very nice quality touch. Again, it reminds you that these cars are special. The overhead lighting looks like real overhead light fixtures to me, although as someone else noted, the interior lighting doesn't stretch out from end-to-end, leaving the passengers in the last several rows on each end of each car in the dark - maybe this allows them to get "cozy" on long trips? Not a deal-breaker, but certainly an area that could stand some improvement. Overall, this is a very nice set.
In terms of initial issues or questions:
I'll do a more thorough look when I get the chance and after I speak with Scott about these issues.
Peter
The second step down chair car has s drumhead in the vestibule diaphragm that car goes at the end of the train. These cars were frequently run in mixed consist with the single level Super Chief cars hence the need for 2 step down chair cars
2nd step down is your rear car
If building a combined El Cap/ Super Chief, the SC section couples to this car. I have modified mine so I bought another step down car to use for the combined train.
Then you can add your PV or RR business car at the end!
Matt and LOS - thanks!
Here are a couple quick photos of the El Cap set, and it happens to be next to the GSC CZ so you can see the color difference.
The detail (or lack there of) on the underside is correct. With the exception of the head-end cars, the El Cap Coaches, Diner and Lounge cars were flat and smooth on the underside.
Jim, that's good info. As I mentioned, undersides don't mean a whole lot to me - but these seemed odd, only because I don't own any other cars with such nondescript undersides. Thanks for the fact check!
Charlie your answer is yes.... no problem.
PJB posted:Finally got the chance to open the boxes and take a look at my first ever Sunset/3rd Rail purchase. This post reflects my initial thoughts, as I haven't yet removed the styrofoam in the trucks and diaphragms or run them. I'll do a fuller review at some point in the near future.
First impression:
Optics have a way of making an initial impression. From the outer packing to the individual boxes in which each El Capitan passenger car is carefully packed in styrofoam and plastic wrap tied with red string, the whole thing screams 'quality.'
Each car exterior is a work of art. True, much of this can be credited to the looks of the prototype. But the proportions and details seem right. The vents, the hand-applied details and everything about the sides and top make these cars seem like Sunset found a way to shrink the real cars down from 1:1 to 1:48. And, the weight of these cars is very nice. Overall, very nice looking while sitting on the rails. Turning the cars over, however, I was a little surprised that the undersides have almost no detail. Undersides are, for the most part, flat smooth sheets of metal. I'm not someone who gets overly concerned about the underside of a car, so I'm not out-of-sorts over it. But by the same token, cars at a much lower price point provide some level of underside detail (from Lionel cars with some, to Atlas cars that are incredibly detailed), so this was unexpected.
...
Peter
Peter,
I used to collect old magazines & specifications on the real Santa-Fe Hi-Level cars before Scott imported the first run of these cars & the lower floor on the real cars were only supposed to be 17 5/16” above the top of the rails. That would mean that the underside of these cars would be even closer to the top of the rail. That must not have left much room on even the real cars to have a lot of equipment (or details) on the underside of the cars. Budd used the space above the trucks, under the upper level, at either end of the car for weather-proof enclosures for the air-conditioning equipment, electrical, air-brake equipment, water storage tanks & Caterpillar diesel generators, on each car.
These are just my opinion.
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
Thanks Doug! Just saw this thread and the video of the northern looks really nice, thank.
"Charlie your answer is yes.... no problem."
Charlie
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
