GGD Amtrak

@clem k posted:

My version of the Amtrak Lakeshore ltd.

Thank you Scott and crew !!

How do I turn off the red lights ?

Red lights can be turned off by flipping the car over, there’s a switch on the bottom to turn the lights off.

Spectacular project! Glad to see everyone enjoying a most awaited train.

Clem, that's a great looking train!

@GG1 4877 posted:

Did anyone on the forum get Phase I, II or IV cars?  I'd love to see some photos of those.

I originally had thought about a Phase II set to go with E60s.  Then Viewliners got announced and E60s got canceled.  Lol.

Here are a some initial pics of my phase 1 and phase 3 sets.    Stunningly pretty cars!

@VistaDomeScott posted:

Here are a some initial pics of my phase 1 and phase 3 sets.    Stunningly pretty cars!

Ok silly question, can someone tell me what those small boards are upper right or left of the vestibule doors. I am aware they are only found on Amfleet I cars and are lit, but NOT with the car number.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Ok silly question, can someone tell me what those small boards are upper right or left of the vestibule doors. I am aware they are only found on Amfleet I cars and are lit, but NOT with the car number.

I am going from memory here, but I believe they originally had "ENTER" and "EXIT" in the boards.  Those didn't last too long in service and now they are blank.

Those are markers for the car number in the train. I don't entirely understand their numbering system, but this is train 6 and the first coach in the train so it got a 10 suffix, the second coach was 611. I think that's how it works? Could be wrong, but that's what is for.

Jonathan, I remember those Enter and Exit signs.  One of those designer's ideas that does not fit well in the operational world.

On sleepers and coaches the numbers Will shows in his picture are numbers that important for locating your accomodation.   Your ticket displays your car number and room number. The car numbers include the train number and the car number in that consist.    Amtrak #6 The California Zephyr, car 10.   

Also I would be interested on what Amtrak phase paint scheme was the most popular and the least desired.

If a re-run of these cars is done, maybe we could get some special interest versions of them in brass. Amtrak has a handful of business cars, some Metroliner, some Amfleet, some heritage, some Viewliner.

@GenesisFan99 posted:

If a re-run of these cars is done, maybe we could get some special interest versions of them in brass. Amtrak has a handful of business cars, some Metroliner, some Amfleet, some heritage, some Viewliner.

There would be no need to do those cars in brass.  The benefit of them being an aluminum extrusion is that the extrusion is the same for Metroliners through Amfleet II cars.  The extrusions are cut to length, the windows are CNC cut, and the end caps can be different. 

As for Heritage Fleet cars, the Slumbercoach 2nd run will be in Phase III.  Several of the B&O Capital Limited and Southern Crescent cars ended up in the Heritage fleet.  With enough requests, it might be possible to get some of those cars painted for Amtrak.  Personally I would like 2-3 10-6 Sleepers, a Heritage Diner, and a Heritage Crew-Dorm, and a 72' baggage in Phase III Paint to finish off my late era Broadway Limited now that I have the Amfleet coaches and Cafe and the MTH Materials Handling Cars for the head end.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Also I would be interested on what Amtrak phase paint scheme was the most popular and the least desired.

That is an interesting question.  I suspect Phase VI cars sold the best and Phase IV sold the least, but I have no proof to back that up.  Pure speculation on my part.

@GG1 4877 posted:

That is an interesting question.  I suspect Phase VI cars sold the best and Phase IV sold the least, but I have no proof to back that up.  Pure speculation on my part.

Interesting. So you think Phase II sold better than Phase IV?

Judging by the pictures and videos on the web, I have yet to see anyone with Phase II...yet.

@GenesisFan99 posted:

If a re-run of these cars is done, maybe we could get some special interest versions of them in brass. Amtrak has a handful of business cars, some Metroliner, some Amfleet, some heritage, some Viewliner.

I already notified Scott M. After his announcement of the Viewliners. I would be in for those converted metroliner cab cars, the American View obs/inspection car [but thats a Viewliner1 car] and the Amtrak 10000 inspection/ observation Amcan car. We can only hope, dream, and squeak!

I purchased my Viewliners and Amfleet coaches in phase III, just the era I model. These cars are beautiful, I'll probably order more in run 2. My Superliners are MTH premier, 18 inch shorties. I dread the day Scott announces scale Superliners, that will cost me a bundle...

Jan

@VistaDomeScott posted:

Here are a some initial pics of my phase 1 and phase 3 sets.    Stunningly pretty cars!

My Phase I set has not arrived yet, so thank you so much for these shots.

As for the other discussion, I'd reserve another batch of Amfleets anyway, but a Metroliner (CapitolLiner to my area) would be a nice touch.  They do not even have to be powered, just have some pans.  If that is to much of a pain, I'd settle for cabcars.

But even stock, I'd go for a few more Amfleets.

Clem K that's spectacular

Does anyone have photos of the Viewliner bag/ dorm car?

Let me get mine out of the box and snap a quick photo if the light is still good outside.

Some quick selfies of the Baggage Dorm

@GG1 4877 posted:

There would be no need to do those cars in brass.  The benefit of them being an aluminum extrusion is that the extrusion is the same for Metroliners through Amfleet II cars.  The extrusions are cut to length, the windows are CNC cut, and the end caps can be different.

As for Heritage Fleet cars, the Slumbercoach 2nd run will be in Phase III.  Several of the B&O Capital Limited and Southern Crescent cars ended up in the Heritage fleet.  With enough requests, it might be possible to get some of those cars painted for Amtrak.  Personally I would like 2-3 10-6 Sleepers, a Heritage Diner, and a Heritage Crew-Dorm, and a 72' baggage in Phase III Paint to finish off my late era Broadway Limited now that I have the Amfleet coaches and Cafe and the MTH Materials Handling Cars for the head end.

I guess I just misunderstood what is considered viable and what isn’t. I had thought that the special cars like Beech Grove, American View, Corridor Clipper, 9800, etc wouldn’t get enough orders to be made in aluminum, therefore requiring brass.

I’d definitely order some either way.

So pleased that a project has come off and provided so much joy to so many enthusiasts -- congrats, Scott.

And thanks to all who've posted photos and videos.

@clem k posted:

My version of the Amtrak Lakeshore ltd.

Thank you Scott and crew !!

How do I turn off the red lights ?

Love that 18+ foot long Amtrak consist.  Beautiful video.

Beautiful! Thanks Jonathan! Really hoping I can get my hands on a standby one.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Some quick selfies of the Baggage Dorm

Amazing

@GenesisFan99 posted:

I guess I just misunderstood what is considered viable and what isn’t. I had thought that the special cars like Beech Grove, American View, Corridor Clipper, 9800, etc wouldn’t get enough orders to be made in aluminum, therefore requiring brass.

I’d definitely order some either way.

Well you may NOT be that far off. While the basic carbody shell maybe the same, many ends are not so those ends maybe made of brass such as the cab car ends, open platform end on the 10000 Beach Grove, etc. Scott M wouldn't know until advertising and taking orders.

A few pics of the Phase lV car

Very nice.  Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for this thread and great pics! All of this Amtrak has resulted in my decision that I can no longer hold out on changing my curves to O-54- I’m missing out on too many great Amtrak cars. Already committed to the Budd Amtrak PhIII Slumber Coach and am deciding on the Viewliner II car(s)(on Stand-by???) for which I want to sign up!

I’m going to need a few P42s. Scott, Fantastic job! Today feels a lot like Christmas in September🤣🤣

Who previously offered the O gauge SDP40Fs shown in some of the photos?

@Mike W. posted:

Who previously offered the O gauge SDP40Fs shown in some of the photos?

No one has offered a true SDP40F, only Williams and MTH Scaleking [squat fuel tank doesn't do these units justice] offered a similar looking FP45.

@WinstonB posted:

I’m going to need a few P42s. Scott, Fantastic job! Today feels a lot like Christmas in September🤣🤣

That's Christmas in September all right.  Love the video.  Absolute perfection by Scott and GGD.

I wish that I had kept my original order of Phase VI's.  Came back later but it was too late so I'm with the "Standby" group.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

No one has offered a true SDP40F, only Williams and MTH Scaleking [squat fuel tank doesn't do these units justice] offered a similar looking FP45.

Here is one of the two numbers offered by MTH of the FP45 in SDP40F phase I paint.  I purchased both numbers and these are Proto-3 locomotives.  There are a lot of issues with this locomotive as mentioned.  The fuel tank is really high.  The MTH model does not even accurately represent a FP45 with the front pilot being completely off.  However, the tooling dates to the early days of MTH and came back in the Railking Scale line.  I can't complain.  I have seven of these in ATSF paint for my GGD El Capitan.   

FP45s are also very different on the carbody over the SDP40F.  When you look at photos the differences are a lot clearer.  I am hoping that Scott will eventually offer scale SDP40Fs as they will work wonderfully with my Southwest Limited set.

Williams also produced an FP45 that has pronounced horizontal compression.  I have a pair of these that I will be letting go of soon.  The first photo is scanned from a print of "analog" media circa 2003 while the second image is from the 2009 TCA national convention.  As you can see my first set of "scale-ish" Amtrak passenger cars were the Williams 20" aluminum cars.  A subject for a separate topic, but I am reworking some of these cars with scale trucks and actual interiors to upgrade my fleet.  Hopefully progress someday!  The doors on the baggage car will need to be cut lower to be a little more believable. 

These cars are absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had ordered some Phase VI amfleets as well. Definitely in for run #2!

This was my first purchase from 3rd Rail; the price points and lack of DCS in the engines (nothing against TMCC/Legacy, of course) had always given me an excuse to not take the plunge. But a Viewliner in O Scale was one of those White Whales that I couldn't resist, and now I'm a believer in 3rd Rail--the build quality and detail are incredible.

I'm on the standby list for extras, but it sounds like quite a few of us are. Does anyone know how long Scott normally needs in order to figure out who made the cut for the standby's? I'm asking mainly out of curiosity, since a second run order, assuming it happens, is a foregone conclusion for me now.

Now if only we can convince Scott to license DCS (like Atlas) and include it as a build-to-order option on future engines so that an after-market PS3 upgrade isn't necessary--that would turn me into a mostly 3rd Rail customer moving forward.

Rafi

P.S. Anyone seen the pictures of the C&O Hudson yet? I haven't seen a post from Scott on that front yet--can't wait to see what it looks like.

@Rafi posted:

This was my first purchase from 3rd Rail; the price points and lack of DCS in the engines (nothing against TMCC/Legacy, of course) had always given me an excuse to not take the plunge. But a Viewliner in O Scale was one of those White Whales that I couldn't resist, and now I'm a believer in 3rd Rail--the build quality and detail are incredible.

I'm on the standby list for extras, but it sounds like quite a few of us are. Does anyone know how long Scott normally needs in order to figure out who made the cut for the standby's? I'm asking mainly out of curiosity, since a second run order, assuming it happens, is a foregone conclusion for me now.

Now if only we can convince Scott to license DCS (like Atlas) and include it as a build-to-order option on future engines so that an after-market PS3 upgrade isn't necessary--that would turn me into a mostly 3rd Rail customer moving forward.

Rafi

P.S. Anyone seen the pictures of the C&O Hudson yet? I haven't seen a post from Scott on that front yet--can't wait to see what it looks like.

I am also eagerly waiting for the C&O Hudson pics.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

No one has offered a true SDP40F, only Williams and MTH Scaleking [squat fuel tank doesn't do these units justice] offered a similar looking FP45.

The latest issue, Run 320, of O Gauge Rail-Roading magazine shows these very engines by Sunset Model on page 84 for 2022

@GG1 4877 posted:

Here is one of the two numbers offered by MTH of the FP45 in SDP40F phase I paint.  I purchased both numbers and these are Proto-3 locomotives.  There are a lot of issues with this locomotive as mentioned.  The fuel tank is really high.  The MTH model does not even accurately represent a FP45 with the front pilot being completely off.  However, the tooling dates to the early days of MTH and came back in the Railking Scale line.  I can't complain.  I have seven of these in ATSF paint for my GGD El Capitan.  

FP45s are also very different on the carbody over the SDP40F.  When you look at photos the differences are a lot clearer.  I am hoping that Scott will eventually offer scale SDP40Fs as they will work wonderfully with my Southwest Limited set.

Williams also produced an FP45 that has pronounced horizontal compression.  I have a pair of these that I will be letting go of soon.  The first photo is scanned from a print of "analog" media circa 2003 while the second image is from the 2009 TCA national convention.  As you can see my first set of "scale-ish" Amtrak passenger cars were the Williams 20" aluminum cars.  A subject for a separate topic, but I am reworking some of these cars with scale trucks and actual interiors to upgrade my fleet.  Hopefully progress someday!  The doors on the baggage car will need to be cut lower to be a little more believable.

I would like to hear more about your adventures with the Williams 20" Amtrak set.

Here is my lone Amtrak Amfleet I Amcoach PhII...

Looks like the E. Weltz cars of 1984 on ...ROIDS!

@prrhorseshoecurve Very nice! I think my set is on the way, but I missed the delivery while I was at work. One thing I want to do is to run these cars with Atlas's Horizon cars. Now I just need some scale Superliners to make a mixed consist!

I just got my 10 Phase III cars in - now I need a big beautiful E60 to pull them!!  

@carnerd3000 posted:

@prrhorseshoecurve Very nice! I think my set is on the way, but I missed the delivery while I was at work. One thing I want to do is to run these cars with Atlas's Horizon cars. Now I just need some scale Superliners to make a mixed consist!

The Amfleets look really good with Horizons. I ran a 9 car consist the other day with 3 Amfleets, a Viewliner, and 5 Horizons. Looked amazing.

@GenesisFan99 posted:

The Amfleets look really good with Horizons. I ran a 9 car consist the other day with 3 Amfleets, a Viewliner, and 5 Horizons. Looked amazing.

I thought of running them together, but I don't think Phase I Amfleets would have run with Phase III Horizons, which I would find bothersome.  I am not a rivet counter (I confess some may disagree), but I do tend to only run stuff together that would have been together IRL, (sorry, OCD usually wins in my case, ).  That aside, the overhead light flickering in the Horizons would be distracting beside the smooth Amfleet lighting.  I know solutions for that exist, but I have not the time or patience to pull apart multiple Atlas Horizons.  I did it once and it was not a pleasant experience.

It's really been fun to see all the new Amfleets on folks' layouts.

Fellow “Amtrakers”. Be sure to consider reserving the GGD Amtrak Slumbercoach if you don’t have one from run 1. That was a phase I paint - the current offering is to be Phase III.  Actually,  email Scott and ask him to offer both Phase I and III - then back with reservations. If more of you make reservations, it’ll be a good boost for the run and maybe we can get it sooner than later.
Cheers

Here is my contribution:

like all, I think my set is great. a couple of observations:

+ for some reason, on my cars, both knuckles must be open for the cars to couple. Also, the uncoupling spring must be fully set in the knuckle, otherwise cars uncouple in transit.

+  I wish there would have been two end light switches as only the rear light in a train must be illuminated.

+ The number of riders on my train are certainly not enough to pay Amtrak' overhead. The good news is that all my 100 additional "customers" are about to get here from We Honest to fully populate the coaches.

Finally here is my set in action

Peter,

Is that the Lionel F40PH pulling your train?  Your set look great!  I have not had an opportunity to run any of mine yet.  Hopefully within the next month or so.

@TrainBub posted:

Fellow “Amtrakers”. Be sure to consider reserving the GGD Amtrak Slumbercoach if you don’t have one from run 1. That was a phase I paint - the current offering is to be Phase III.  Actually,  email Scott and ask him to offer both Phase I and III - then back with reservations. If more of you make reservations, it’ll be a good boost for the run and maybe we can get it sooner than later.
Cheers

Got one already.

Even has the correct pastel pink interior.

@Boilermaker1 posted:

Got one already.

Even has the correct pastel pink interior.

But you need another one, correct?   I forgot about the pink interiors from my days riding on these. 

Thanks to Boilermaker1's pictures, I reserved two in Phase III.  Darn nice looking models.

Peter, regarding the couplers, I have never found that the stock couplers on any of my GGD cars work well unless both knuckles are open, but I replace with Kadee.

Also what's the deal with the 5 car sets having 3 café cars and only 2 coaches?

according to the GGD description that was a phase I set,   Cafe, Dinette, Club, and two coaches.

Like a starter to a fleet? Just need more coaches.

Will, as Clem said, that is my set

Jonathan, yes that Loco is the Lionel FP40

Is there any window differences between the Cafe, Dinetter, and Club cars?

@VGN64 posted:

Is there any window differences between the Cafe, Dinetter, and Club cars?

I don’t see much of a difference. The difference might be in the interior, hard to tell from the video.

Peter - you have me wishing I had picked one of those up when they were available.  A very nice rendition of what is my second favorite locomotive.

VGN64 - Amtrak had two window configurations for Amfleet I cars.  They were coach and Food Service Cars.  The exterior of the Cafe, Dinette, and Club car are the same.  The differences are in the interior.  The Food Service Cars interiors were done as delivered by Budd originally.  The original Cafe had seating at both ends, the Club had a 2 -1 seating arrangement, and the Dinette had half tables and half chairs.  When trying to capture a car that has been in service now for 46 years, there is always the challenge of which set of data points to use.  Two Amfleet cars were converted to sleepers for a period.  There is a rare beast of a car!  

Amtrak has done numerous changes to these cars over the years and there are at least 10 separate floor plans.  From a model standpoint it was impossible to capture everything so the decision was made to go with the as-delivered configurations.  Currently Amtrak runs mostly two variations which is a half seating, half table configuration and an all table configuration.

Having been on the Amfleet cars in Phases I, II, III, IV and VI I can say that the Amfleet Food Service Cars all deliver the same level of microwaved cardboard and overpriced beer.  I have had much better experience with the true diners with higher end menus.  When I was on a very late Southwest Chief in 1991 and the train chief made the decision to clear out the freezers, I got swordfish.  Never had it before, but it was a get what you get affair.  It was good!  I had a similar experience on a 15 hour late Broadway Limited in December of 1989 due to -15 degree weather and I recall getting lasagna.  No complaints as the sleeping car passengers only got fed due to the delay on that trip .

While no decisions have been made about what happens in the future, it is possible that the all table configuration could be offered with the Amfleet II cars which is more common on the long distance trains anyway. 

I got the 5 car set and added coaches.  Like everyone else I have a Cafe, Club, and Dinette.  I wish I had picked up a few Phase VI coaches and a Cafe to go with my Viewliners, but like everyone else, I'll have to wait for a second run.

I promised myself I wouldn't model past Phase III.  This hobby has a way of expanding my interests greatly.  Kind of like I promised I wouldn't model anything but Amtrak NJT, Conrail, PC, PRR and CNJ.  I added ATSF first and then SP to the mix and now I have a train to build to go with my Burlington E5.  Then there is that random SPS E7.  What cars to run with that?

I've been spending the weekend shore horning my collection into my house that was previously in a storage unit.  All the Amtrak GDD and Atlas Horizon / Comet cars ended up in a closet together.  My collection of Horizon and Comet cars is extensive having multiple sets in NJT, Septa, MARC, Amtrak, and undecorated. 

I took a little time this evening to get some shots of the 1999 vintage Horizon cars next to the Amfleet.  The colors are nearly a dead on match.  A perfect set-up for an early 1990's San Joaquin service train. 

My Amtrak just exploded...........I had already collected Overland Superliners and two Overland P-42s, then Atlas Horizon cars,  one of the guys Amfleet II cars, Mac Shops Budd cars and my American Lightweight pullman heritage car kits.  Now Viewliners and Amfleet Is but I need more P-42s to put on the front.

There are some Overland Superliner cars on that auction site now, but for me they are unobtanium.  Beautiful cars.  As it stands I have something close to 60 scale Amtrak cars.  Granted about 10 are project cars including my Phase III Heritage Coaches and Heritage Lounge.  My future layout plans have adapted somewhat with the goal of having a 2 rail layout around the wall that features transition era PRR and CNJ, while the interior layout is 3 rail to showcase my Amtrak and other western roads.  I am looking forward to retirement one day when I can have the time to do all of this.

The Overland Superliners on that site are twice what they have been going for.

@VGN64 posted:

The Overland Superliners on that site are twice what they have been going for.

Everything is these days it seems.  I did manage to pick up an MTH ATSF heavyweight baggage for $35.00 recently, but that is a rarity now.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I've been spending the weekend shore horning my collection into my house that was previously in a storage unit.  All the Amtrak GDD and Atlas Horizon / Comet cars ended up in a closet together.  My collection of Horizon and Comet cars is extensive having multiple sets in NJT, Septa, MARC, Amtrak, and undecorated.

I took a little time this evening to get some shots of the 1999 vintage Horizon cars next to the Amfleet.  The colors are nearly a dead on match.  A perfect set-up for an early 1990's San Joaquin service train.

An O scale garden layout?  Interesting.  The sun light makes them look quite real.

My layout is my 3 rail club that I have not been too since COVID started.  I need to get back in the habit of going.  This was just some track I set up in my back yard to replicate a corn field to show off the cars in natural sunlight.  Evening and morning light always make for great photo opportunities.

@VGN64 posted:

The Overland Superliners on that site are twice what they have been going for.

It wouldn't surprise me if these cars came from the June 2021 Stout Auction.

What really makes these scale Amfleet cars besides the scale length and superb finish are those window inserts!

I have a set of Williams 60' Aluminum Amtrak Heritage cars that were sold as a closeout by Trainworld a few years ago.  Are these the same Aluminum cars Williams had been making since day 1...the same tooling?   They are not the longer cars.  My set went with the Kusan based F Unit making me think the entire set is based on the original Williams offering.   Photos below:  (Note: First two pics are mine.  Rest are pics from the web of some out of the boxes.

Thank you Scott !    Now I have a proper Lakeshore Ltd. Jut like the real one in the included video.

@Mike W. posted:

I have a set of Williams 60' Aluminum Amtrak Heritage cars that were sold as a closeout by Trainworld a few years ago.  Are these the same Aluminum cars Williams had been making since day 1...the same tooling?   They are not the longer cars.  My set went with the Kusan based F Unit making me think the entire set is based on the original Williams offering.   Photos below:  (Note: First two pics are mine.  Rest are pics from the web of some out of the boxes.

These cars are essentially the same tooling that Williams has always produced.  They were offered in 60' and 80' lengths.  I have a set of 80' cars.  I have been trying to sell them for years with no success, so I am reworking the coach now for a more scale look.  Essentially the extrusion is a good replica of one of the Budd style cars and the end caps are decent.  I am currently working out how to get K-Line trucks to replace the short scale ones the original cars came with to work at the correct ride height and not end up with a car that wobbles.  The silhouette window strip is in channel so it can be replaced with clear acetate.  I got rid of the floor mount bulbs and will get LED lighting strips.  Finally I will put an interior in the car.  The graphics are not bad, so I do not plan on a repaint outside of the car number and taking Amtrak out of the letterboard.

If I am successful, I will convert over the balance of my cars to make them contributing members of my Amtrak single level Phase I fleet.

That video was so awesome...

Same train passing Rome, NY Sunday… track speed!

A Covid shortened Crescent #20 at Kemper Street Station in Lynchburg, VA.  It’s two coaches, sleeper and diner short since Covid but I have enough cars. I’m only short another sleeper for the full train.

P42s please !!!

I find it interesting that Amtrak puts the baggage cars on the rear of the train these days.  Does anyone know when that practice started?   I have a gap from 1992 to 2012 where I didn't see east coast Amtrak trains and in 1992 the baggage ahead of the coaches and sleepers.  I've noticed from my various visits back east starting 2012 that the baggage often is the last car on the train. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I find it interesting that Amtrak puts the baggage cars on the rear of the train these days.  Does anyone know when that practice started?   I have a gap from 1992 to 2012 where I didn't see east coast Amtrak trains and in 1992 the baggage ahead of the coaches and sleepers.  I've noticed from my various visits back east starting 2012 that the baggage often is the last car on the train.

Easy enough... Here's a video set from Jay Winn in Utica, NY that documented year-by-year changes in Amtrak through a series named "Amtrak 48 Through the Years".

https://www.youtube.com/channe...6fEtwO_qPiaEA/videos

Thanks!

- Mario

Jonathan, over the last 10 years they've changed the consist order on the Crescent so much. Some times it'll be baggage, sleepers, diner,café coaches, others it'll be just the opposite. Since the Viewliner II cars have arrived they've stuck with coaches, café, diner, sleepers, bag dorm.

It was my understanding that the baggage is at the rear of the train because Amtrak doesn’t turn the trains around on the east coast, but I could be mistaken.

Has anyone electrically handy figured out how to rewire the cars to replace the "as delivered switch" so that we can switch the red marker lights from one end of the car to the other and a center position that turns all marker lights off?  I totally love these cars and I am ready to order more once Scott opens up the order books, but for the delivered cars, I would definitely like to do a modification to allow for either end marker light operation and center position off.  Any thoughts of ideas would be awesome.   

Common switch on/off/on.

@clem k posted:

Common switch on/off/on.

Yes I agree that it is a common switch, but not sure how the wiring would be done from the rectifier and on. (I am assuming there is a rectifier also as somehow we have to go from AC to DC)  Being that there are two sets of opposing end of train marker lights,   it would probably be pretty simple from there.  What I do not know, is once you get the four LEDs separated into two sets of two, with only half the load, will the LEDs be too bright or maybe even burn out?  Forgive me for my lack of knowledge on LED lights, so if what I have said is totally wrong, I plead innocent!  Anyone with real solid knowledge on this, please feel free to jump in and educate me and others that may not know.

Also, I have yet to open one of these new GGD cars, so I really do not know how they are wired, so lots of speculation.   For one thing, the switch may provide AC track power to a rectifier before it goes to the LEDs.   

Thanks

Rory   

@MountainRail posted:

Has anyone electrically handy figured out how to rewire the cars to replace the "as delivered switch" so that we can switch the red marker lights from one end of the car to the other and a center position that turns all marker lights off?  I totally love these cars and I am ready to order more once Scott opens up the order books, but for the delivered cars, I would definitely like to do a modification to allow for either end marker light operation and center position off.  Any thoughts of ideas would be awesome.   

The seats in Amfleet cars are reversible. They swivel around so that they can be made to always face forward. Thus, the simplest thing to do is open the car and just clip the wires from the end of the car that the seats face.  You really only need to modify one car, as the rest of them are off.

I see the Crescent all the time and they turn the entire train in New Orleans.  It always has the baggage now bagg/dorm at the rear.

@MountainRail posted:

Yes I agree that it is a common switch, but not sure how the wiring would be done from the rectifier and on. (I am assuming there is a rectifier also as somehow we have to go from AC to DC)  Being that there are two sets of opposing end of train marker lights,   it would probably be pretty simple from there.  What I do not know, is once you get the four LEDs separated into two sets of two, with only half the load, will the LEDs be too bright or maybe even burn out?  Forgive me for my lack of knowledge on LED lights, so if what I have said is totally wrong, I plead innocent!  Anyone with real solid knowledge on this, please feel free to jump in and educate me and others that may not know.

Also, I have yet to open one of these new GGD cars, so I really do not know how they are wired, so lots of speculation.   For one thing, the switch may provide AC track power to a rectifier before it goes to the LEDs.   

Thanks

Rory   

First you need to obtsin the on-off-on switch. If there is a circuit board or just s rectifier, the rectifier "power out" would go center switch lead and the leds connect to the corresponding "on" outer switch leads.

@GenesisFan99 posted:

It was my understanding that the baggage is at the rear of the train because Amtrak doesn’t turn the trains around on the east coast, but I could be mistaken.

I think there may be some new Reg or rule that the consists have to be at least “X” cars long. I’ve recently a seen a short consist in the St. Louis area with Two baggage cars in the rear for the St. Louis to KC run. No way these cars are full of Any cargo.

Certain routes have that because a minimum axle count is needed for the crossings. I think that's just on BNSF.

The baggage car on the rear end is apparently a ride quality thing.  The last car on the train supposedly rides worse than the rest of the train, so if its just a glorified boxcar, paying customers (especially if its sleepers), dont have to deal with the car wallowing around.

Amtrak Bi-Level Passenger Car GIFs (kenstransitgifs.com)

@TrainBub posted:

P42s please !!!

Motion has been seconded.  Resolution 2021-GGD-P42 has been unanimously approved.

Hi Scott and Jonathan:

Any idea how close we might be to the second run of slumber coaches?  The Phase III will look fantastic with the Amfleets.  Thank you again for such quality models.

Amtrak 160, the final 50th Anniversary paint scheme.  Hey Scott, bet you would sell a few of these!!!

Unpacking my Viewliner cars today, and of course absolutely thrilled!   I have discovered a paint scheme variation on Sleeping car #62500 "Portage River" that differs from pictures online.   Did Amtrak repaint these after production and remove the "arrow" logo and the word "Amtrak" to the "travelmark" logo?  Amtrak scholars please inform.

I love the car either way but may ask Christine Braden to recreate the look of the car in the picture (link attached) which was at the factory in New York.  Dependent upon info from the knowledge of the forum.  If this was short lived at the factory and redone before revenue use I may reconsider having the car rebranded.

https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=489036

@VistaDomeScott posted:

Unpacking my Viewliner cars today, and of course absolutely thrilled!   I have discovered a paint scheme variation on Sleeping car #62500 "Portage River" that differs from pictures online.   Did Amtrak repaint these after production and remove the "arrow" logo and the word "Amtrak" to the "travelmark" logo?  Amtrak scholars please inform.

I love the car either way but may ask Christine Braden to recreate the look of the car in the picture (link attached) which was at the factory in New York.  Dependent upon info from the knowledge of the forum.  If this was short lived at the factory and redone before revenue use I may reconsider having the car rebranded.

https://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=489036

Yes, I believe the first two cars of each variety received the old Amtrak logo. (At least the first two sleepers and the first two bags...not sure if the first two bag-dorms received the old logo)

They were eventually rebranded to match the rest of the fleet.

None of them entered revenue service with the old logo. It was just for promotional purposes.

P42,  thanks

@VistaDomeScott posted:

P42,  thanks

Email Scott to support P42 offering !!!!

Took a few quick snaps of one of the Phase I coaches and the Phase III Viewliner baggage. Please excuse the mess on my table 😁.

Simply put, I am in love with these things. They make me wish I could literally get one of everything that was offered in regards to these cars. Every car type, phase, numbers, everything... I took quite a gamble on you Scott, and I'd say I hit the jackpot! 👍

@TrainBub posted:

Email Scott to support 042 offering !!!!

Well with Atlas acquiring the MTH Premier P42 tooling I’m sure we’ll see an offering from them soon, especially given the wide variety of paint schemes available now with the Amtrak 50th anniversary units among other operators too.

@M J Breen posted:

Well with Atlas acquiring the MTH Premier P42 tooling I’m sure we’ll see an offering from them soon, especially given the wide variety of paint schemes available now with the Amtrak 50th anniversary units among other operators too.

If so - you get a bonus of Typical huge daylight between body and swinging pilot. 👎😖      
And I don’t think there’s been a 2 rail MTH version either. To each his own I guess.    Id be a buyer of a 3rd Rail model with a fixed pilot available in 2 Or 3 rail.

@VGN64 posted:

Amtrak 160, the final 50th Anniversary paint scheme.  Hey Scott, bet you would sell a few of these!!!

The "Pepsi Can" paint job was one of Amtrak's best IMHO.

Rusty

I would support the company that brought us the Viewliners and Amfleet in scale!!!  Scott’s doing some great stuff for us at SUNSET-3RD RAIL-GOLDEN GATE DEPOT.

If Golden Gate were to make Amtrak diesels...or any future diesels, would GGD license Proto 3 from MTH (since that's an option now)

That option would clinch the deal for me.  To my knowledge, there aren't any TMCC sounds that resemble modern Amtrak locomotives.

I apologize if it's slightly off topic, but I don't know if it's ever been discussed.