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After all these years it is finally happening.  It's been six years since the initial announcement for Amfleet cars.  Just goes to show that there is always hope. Scale Amfleets have been something I've been waiting for in O for many years having more than my share in the more diminutive scales.  A set of Viewliners to go with that is just icing on the cake for me. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

After all these years it is finally happening.  It's been six years since the initial announcement for Amfleet cars.  Just goes to show that there is always hope. Scale Amfleets have been something I've been waiting for in O for many years having more than my share in the more diminutive scales.  A set of Viewliners to go with that is just icing on the cake for me.

It Always Wonderful when that elusive model is Finally made !!!  
Cheers !!!!

@vash44 posted:

I would love to see the Superliners, Amfleet IIS, F40PH and P42s! Would also like to see the Superliner accompany the El Capitan as well. (Wishing thinking!)

I don’t do any Amtrak but I do love the P42. Had Scott done or soon doing the P42 I’d be in for one and then have to be buying some cars too - opening another black hole for my $$$$ 😮😳😬😜

@TrainBub posted:

I don’t do any Amtrak but I do love the P42. Had Scott done or soon doing the P42 I’d be in for one and then have to be buying some cars too - opening another black hole for my $$$$ 😮😳😬😜

I'll be honest. I don't have Amtrak yet.... BUT I did go ahead for some Amfleet and Viewliners. I think it will be a slippery slope!

@carnerd3000 posted:

Also, what is the usual quota that needs to be met for a locomotive to be produced?

The answer is, "it varies".  To sell the E60 at the price point Scott had it at, it would have taken about 350 units.  As unit count goes down price obviously goes up.  At 60 units the E60 almost could have been run in brass, but I'd hate to try and even guess the price point with the current market in general.  Brass runs usually are successful between 75 and 100 units.  Ideally a plastic run diesel would want to be in the 500 unit range.

@GG1 4877 posted:

The answer is, "it varies".  To sell the E60 at the price point Scott had it at, it would have taken about 350 units.  As unit count goes down price obviously goes up.  At 60 units the E60 almost could have been run in brass, but I'd hate to try and even guess the price point with the current market in general.  Brass runs usually are successful between 75 and 100 units.  Ideally a plastic run diesel would want to be in the 500 unit range.

Thank you very much for the explanation, and I wouldn't be surprised if Scott will pop onto this thread at some point to further explain things. Yeah, I'm definitely disappointed, and I did put in a reservation for the E-60 about a month ago. Looks like the journey to having a scale version of this locomotive is gonna keep on going...

But the Amfleets are a major step in the right direction. Can't have the passenger train without the passenger cars.

I need to call Scott this weekend about the SD40-2 project.  I will ask about the E60s.  I had three on order - E60CH in Phase II, and NJT, and an E60MA.  I suspect there are other factors than just the numbers behind his decision. 

I don't see P30CHs getting a lot of orders.  SDP40Fs could be a possibility if the numbers are there for FP45s. 

I'd love to see an ALC-42 but Siemens is not an easy entity to obtain a license from.  In the meantime I have about ten F40PHs between K-Line and MTH.

I wonder if there is interest in GGD offering a few of the "heritage" cars in Amtrak as add on cars to the Slumbercoaches. Diner, 10-6,  Maybe a short dome or blunt end obs from the B&O sets in Amtrak paint.

Did you happen to order the Amtrak 3/4 dome? If so did you see that price increase from the full dome done 2 years ago! Do you think there would be enough buyers of a heritage diner and sleeping cars to keep the final car cost down?

@GG1 4877 posted:

I would send Scott a note requesting that certain cars from the upcoming Capitol Limited be offered in Amtrak paint schemes.  It wouldn't take a ton of cars to make that happen and it would add cars to the run.

I wish Scott could have done National Limited and the Capital at same time. Both B&O - one into St. Louis and one into Chicago. Both had E6 power too. Core equipment similar - sleepers at a glance  different configurations.
Sometimes it helps to expand the view.
Just thinking out loud …….

@GG1 4877 posted:

I would send Scott a note requesting that certain cars from the upcoming Capitol Limited be offered in Amtrak paint schemes.  It wouldn't take a ton of cars to make that happen and it would add cars to the run.

I wrote to Scott Mann and suggested a few of the B&O cars being offered in Amtrak phase one to compliment the SP 3/4 dome, Slumbercoaches, Amfleet 1, and previously made sleepers and coaches.

Scott replied that he will consider the suggestion.  If others have interest in this please let Scott Mann know.

I wrote to Scott Mann and suggested a few of the B&O cars being offered in Amtrak phase one to compliment the SP 3/4 dome, Slumbercoaches, Amfleet 1, and previously made sleepers and coaches.

Scott replied that he will consider the suggestion.  If others have interest in this please let Scott Mann know.

And may I ask which of the B&O cars you suggested in Amtrak because I too would be interested as well?

@clem k posted:

Received an email from GGD... The container is loaded and on a ship,  Scott even included a link to track the ship, How cool is that !!

EVER LAMBENT Built in 2012,  U.K. flag vessel.

Clem

I thought that was a great touch from the 3rd Rail/Golden Gate team! It's fun to watch the journey progress from the factory to delivery stateside.

The containers go to the port of Los Angeles and then get sent by truck to Scott.  Don't quote me on this, but the Port of Los Angeles to China has the most favorable shipping rates, not that shipping rates are that favorable anywhere at the moment due to the supply chain mess and COVID.

Johnathan, that is good news, I was afraid they would stay on the ship and it would next go to Oakland.  Our next waiting game it how long it takes to offloaded and onto an outbound truck.  

Would it be neater if it was loaded onto a northbound UP train and we could guess which container is "ours"

Container vessels have to wait to dock at the port for about 1 week.  The ship is moored off the coast of Long Beach. Then they will steam to Oakland Port (1-2 days) and wait 1 more week to dock there. Then we wait 7-10 days for a truck to pick up the container after customs inspects it. Still looking at late August arrival to us, and early September shipping. F3s are quick to ship, the Amtrak cars have to be sorted and packed per order. That's going to take time.

This 20ft container cost us $10,000 door to door. Normally this costs $3250. The "H" in S&H  is going to go up in price.  The stories I am hearing about factories in China, no being able to ship their goods, warehouses backing up as they can't get a ship date, and their customers (importers) can't afford the prices.  I read that a shipment of Nike shoes to the UK had to pay $15,000 each for their 40ft containers, and the cost of the shoes and freight was more than their contracted sales. That can't go on long. Inexpensive things will have to go up in price to absorb the higher freight costs. More expensive items, such as these model trains will have to get higher prices to offset these higher costs, but can still be in the game. That's my 2 cents.

How it works... You are asked to pay $12,000 for the container, and you throw a fit and tell them $8,000 is the most i will spend... Then you wait for the Ship Lines to accept your offer to get schedule on a vessel. We were bumped twice, but I stuck to the $8,000 price. If I had offer only $6,000 the models would still be in China as the vessels are accepting containers from the highest bidders.  It's that crazy.  $8,000 + $1,500 misc fees and duties + $500 trucking. And I was worried about Tariffs!!!  Then this happens.  The decisions are made by the ship lines and the freight forwarders interact with the importers (US). I know we are getting the best deals possible as manager at the freight forwarder is a long time close friend. No way to get around this one.

Last edited by sdmann

I've been waiting to point to this pair of videos from a Japanese freight forwarder that explain a lot about the current mess:

Note that when "Iino-San" says "ocean freight", he's usually referring to the price of ocean freight (english as a second language and all that). His channel contains a bunch of topics revolving around freight forwarding, presented in the same animated info-graphic fashion seen in these two.

---PCJ

Last edited by RailRide

"I just dumbly scanned and then posted..."   Not dumb to copy that scheduling info. No where on any of these sites do they predict the delay at the port. Docking date remains blank until they actually dock. If your not in a rush, it's no big deal. If you have goods in containers that will expire, then your in trouble. ;(

I am already planning what to do when the C&O Hudsons, Krauss Maffei and SP Daylight cars are ready. I want to load up a container with all of them and pay the big fine once. Probably will get all these in December.

Scott

Scott, you continue to rise above the common attitudes and really serve your customers, even when it becomes difficult.  I'm going to take a look at every Sunset and GGD item on my layout and think about all the careful design, negotiating, checking, quality control, and shipping involved in each car or engine, and reflect on what you had to do, just so a bunch of us fussy model railroaders could have small-batch O gauge model trains at reasonable prices.  You don't have a department or a manager of this or that.  Although you have some dedicated people who help, it's you who does most of the work and who takes all of the responsibility.

You are a gentleman and an outstanding businessman.  I do not have the proper words to describe the respect I have for you.

@Number 90 posted:

Scott, you continue to rise above the common attitudes and really serve your customers, even when it becomes difficult.  I'm going to take a look at every Sunset and GGD item on my layout and think about all the careful design, negotiating, checking, quality control, and shipping involved in each car or engine, and reflect on what you had to do, just so a bunch of us fussy model railroaders could have small-batch O gauge model trains at reasonable prices.  You don't have a department or a manager of this or that.  Although you have some dedicated people who help, it's you who does most of the work and who takes all of the responsibility.

You are a gentleman and an outstanding businessman.  I do not have the proper words to describe the respect I have for you.

Can I second that?

Im not Amtrak at all but it would be nice to see the now aging soon to be replaced on long distance trains Genesis P42s. Also why not the new ALC-42 Siemens units. You guys deserve this!

I'd much rather have GGD ALC-42s than GGD P42s.  I agree with you.  In the coming years, I'd rather have a model that's going to serve as the face of Amtrak for the next 20 years.

P42s themselves aren't very intricate.  I have a bunch of the MTH ones that have sufficed.  GGD could really shine with the ALC-42s and maybe the other charger variants.

People model what they have seen and the P42 has been seen everywhere.  We have 2 on the Crescent twice a day, one on the regional twice a day in our little city of Lynchburg, VA.  They are all over the CSX in Virginia on the regional trains to tidewater and the north south trains from NY to FL.

With the different main Amtrak paint schemes thru the decades and all the 50th Anniversary schemes

I'm sure Scott would get enough reservations in two and three rail to make some money.  Not much detail so it should have a good power unit.  I could handle some dummies as a reasonable price.

Last edited by VGN64
@VGN64 posted:

People model what they have seen and the P42 has been seen everywhere.  We have 2 on the Crescent twice a day, one on the regional twice a day in our little city of Lynchburg, VA.  They are all over the CSX in Virginia on the regional trains to tidewater and the north south trains from NY to FL.

With the different main Amtrak paint schemes thru the decades and all the 50th Anniversary schemes

I'm sure Scott would get enough reservations in two and three rain to make some money.  Not much detail so it should have a good power unit.  I could handle some dummies as a reasonable price.

And how will a GGD P42 differ from the MTH P42 to justify the GGD price of $800+?

And how will a GGD P42 differ from the MTH P42 to justify the GGD price of $800+?

Yea. I don't see this happening. After the initial buzz, I thought we would have had Sunset E60s by this summer. Instead, it's the F3 2nd run that's sitting in containers off the coast. I was really looking forward to having an E60 pulling my GGD Amtrak 5-car set. I would buy Sunset P42s. Reality, however, is I'm more likely to end up with a MTH, ATLAS, or Lionel scale loco.

And how will a GGD P42 differ from the MTH P42 to justify the GGD price of $800+?

It’s all in the eye of the beholder and in the end, depends on ones budget. Then it’s choose your pleasure. I’ve upgraded (my opinion) to 3rd Rail whenever Scott has offered my two primary roads - MP and T&P and I am quite pleased with what was delivered. And I don’t always get all that I want. Recently, Only 1 of 4 MP-TP GPs were done to my disappointment. But that 1 was better than none !!!!!!
Product roll out is painfully slow but we are talking about a tiny company. And It’s even more difficult to get a model on the “offering” line-up. Patience is always a “rule” with these models - though it is often difficult to have.
Cheers

PS. I appreciate a “second chance” at the F3s as I couldn’t afford everything at once in the first run. There must have been a few more like me too !!!!

Last edited by TrainBub

Personally I have not been advocating for a Sunset P42.  Like others have said it represents the past of Amtrak and the Siemens locomotives represent the future.  I have no doubt that a Sunset P42 would be much better than the MTH one in every aspect as the MTH tooling dates to the 90s.  However, there are plenty on the market in 3 rail.  For the 2 rail modeler this is of course a different story.

Having said that, there isn't the licensing issue required with GE like there is with Siemens. 

I also would have liked the E60 to move forward and had three reserved as they represent fond memories from my childhood in the as-delivered version, the rebuilt version, and the NJT version.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Personally I have not been advocating for a Sunset P42.  Like others have said it represents the past of Amtrak and the Siemens locomotives represent the future.  I have no doubt that a Sunset P42 would be much better than the MTH one in every aspect as the MTH tooling dates to the 90s.  However, there are plenty on the market in 3 rail.  For the 2 rail modeler this is of course a different story.

Having said that, there isn't the licensing issue required with GE like there is with Siemens.

I also would have liked the E60 to move forward and had three reserved as they represent fond memories from my childhood in the as-delivered version, the rebuilt version, and the NJT version.

I don’t do Amtrak but I Love the P42 and Would be a buyer of a Sunset model. I’ve not picked up a MTH model because it rides high, and has the horrible front pilot. I just have this vision of a Sunset model with a fixed pilot for starters , and an EASILY Removable claw coupler with an option pilot/kaydee replacement for us 3railers.
I don’t think MTH offered this model with 3-2 capability. So I’d bet the 2rail crowd would carry the “lions share” of reservations for this model.  
In spite of what’s in the market, I believe this would be a nice seller. I think it would get much more interest than the E60. The P42 has coast to coast appeal. The E60 has a popular appeal on the east coast But Likely limited beyond there.
Of course this is just my opinion.
Cheers

@TrainBub posted:

I don’t do Amtrak but I Love the P42 and Would be a buyer of a Sunset model. I’ve not picked up a MTH model because it rides high, and has the horrible front pilot. I just have this vision of a Sunset model with a fixed pilot for starters , and an EASILY Removable claw coupler with an option pilot/kaydee replacement for us 3railers.
I don’t think MTH offered this model with 3-2 capability. So I’d bet the 2rail crowd would carry the “lions share” of reservations for this model.  
In spite of what’s in the market, I believe this would be a nice seller. I think it would get much more interest than the E60. The P42 has coast to coast appeal. The E60 has a popular appeal on the east coast But Likely limited beyond there.
Of course this is just my opinion.
Cheers

I suppose I could get behind a P42 also if it were being offered.  I agree on the MTH model.  I have the Phase III heritage version and it has issues on scale fidelity.  I would likely go for two in the wave scheme.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I suppose I could get behind a P42 also if it were being offered.  I agree on the MTH model.  I have the Phase III heritage version and it has issues on scale fidelity.  I would likely go for two in the wave scheme.

I Love the Wave Scheme !!!!  That’s where my money would be !!!
I guess there is just not a lot of interest in the ”electrics”. Zero from me. I don’t see any enthusiasm for Mlk. Road EP3 electric either. I pushed for the Erie Built Olympian but I guess there was no support for it - in spite of it being a handsome brute. (And other roads to add needed numbers)

@GG1 4877 posted:

Having said that, there isn't the licensing issue required with GE like there is with Siemens.

Is the license issue even legal?  I thought the dispute over licensing was settled in favor of model railroad manufacturers in the UP/MTH lawsuit.

Is there any idea how Siemens works with licensing? I'm curious if it's a 1 time purchase or a royalty on per model produced.  I'd assume any O Scale manufacturer would have issues with the volume needed to offset a license.

@P42Amtrak83 posted:

Is the license issue even legal?  I thought the dispute over licensing was settled in favor of model railroad manufacturers in the UP/MTH lawsuit.

Is there any idea how Siemens works with licensing? I'm curious if it's a 1 time purchase or a royalty on per model produced.  I'd assume any O Scale manufacturer would have issues with the volume needed to offset a license.

I'm not a lawyer.  I'm also not the Owner of a model train company, but I do not think Scott would risk a lawsuit find out.  I am making a guess that reproducing a railroad's graphics is different from the rights to a locomotive, but copyright law is fairly clear on authorship.  For example, as an architect in my full time work, I own the copyright to any design I produce.  If someone reproduces my design or builds the same building without compensation to me, they are liable for damages under copyright infringement.  A locomotive is the same.  It appears that Siemens has chosen to enforce this, at least in the HO and N realm where Bachmann has usage rights. 

Amtrak requires a no charge license to reproduce their graphics as does New Jersey Transit.  Canadian Pacific also required a license when the GGD Canadian was done once they found out it was being offered.  These did not include any royalties, but were merely ways for the copyright holders to protect their brand and image.  Amtrak's brand manager reviewed the drawings for the Amfleet and Viewliner cars prior to them going into production.  Canadian Pacific did the same.

The MTH issue isn't necessarily settled case law.  Lionel for example gets a license for everything they produce unless it is in the public domain.

Regardless, 3rd Rail won't do a Siemens locomotive without the proper authorization to do so and neither will Lionel, or Atlas. 

I have a farm and I buy the mesh wrap for my big round bales.  The wrap comes out of Brazil and they were paying $2,500 to $2,900 per 40ft container.  Prices skyrocketed and went to a bid system so they waited fairly close to the close and bid $12,000 a container for 15 containers...........Walmart stepped in and at the last minute bid $15,000 per container for the containers. My beef on the hoof prices are where they were 30 years ago but all my cost have at least doubled...........you wonder why the farmers are going bankrupt.   How long can this go on?

P42   P42  P42
P42 …… what do you think folks ???  
The E60 died a slow death from a lack of support - no, really a lack of reservations. The P42 would be a Great Substitute Amtrak offering !!! Unlike the E60 which is strictly an East coast locomotive, one can see the P42 EVERYWHERE that Amtrak   runs !!!!!  I don’t even do /collect / run Amtrak but I Love the P42 (done right like I know 3rd Rail - Sunset would do ) and if offered, I’d be in for one or two. (Love the “Wave” paint scheme)  These locos span a lot of years so are quite appropriate for most Amtrak cars. A few paint scheme variants would undoubtedly add appeal.

EMAIL SCOTT if you’d like to see this offered !!!!!!!!!

Cheers !!!!!!

@AlanRail posted:

ONCE AGAIN A HIJACKED THREAD,,, this topic was started to obtain info on the shipping of the GGD AMTRAK Passenger cars. It soon morphed into requests and demands for other AMTRAK stuff from Scott.

Hope that Scott will continue the delivery updates.

I’ve excited to receive the various Amfleet cars. If more cars are ran in the future would be glad to order to complete gaps in the current order.

I wouldn't necessarily say the thread has been hi-jacked.  Starting with the third post it has been a good discussion on Amtrak items that GGD / Sunset / 3rd Rail might be interested in producing.  Since Scott reads this forum and we discuss projects fairly regularly, I can say that future Amtrak projects are on the horizon based on the discussion here but no announcements are imminent.  There are a few other projects that need attention first before any future Amtrak announcements are made.

A second run of cars would be nice after the initial run arrives as I wouldn't mind a set of Phase VI Amfleets now too....

Last edited by GG1 4877
@GG1 4877 posted:

I wouldn't necessarily say the thread has been hi-jacked.  Starting with the third post it has been a good discussion on Amtrak items that GGD / Sunset / 3rd Rail might be interested in producing.  Since Scott reads this forum and we discuss projects fairly regularly, I can say that future Amtrak projects are on the horizon based on the discussion here but no announcements are imminent.  There are a few other projects that need attention first before any future Amtrak announcements are made.

A second run of cars would be nice after the initial run arrives as I wouldn't mind a set of Phase VI Amfleets now too....

Thanks Jonathan!!!  For sure I Understand projects in Queue take precedence!!!!  I understand Scott is usually reluctant to cancel Any Project so I believe it was difficult - but he needed to cancel the E60 to a significant lack of reservations.  I believe the P42 a worthy replacement that could find significant support. No one thought the 3rd Rail F3s would find support due to so many offerings by other companies. Well Run 2 is arriving !!!  P42 has similar Potential. IMHO.    
This IS all 3rd Rail / Sunset / GGD related. What better way to test an AMTRAK loco idea than in this GGD Thread !!!!!  It REACHES those with a vested Interest !!!   CHEERS !!!! 🙂

@GG1 4877 posted:

I wouldn't necessarily say the thread has been hi-jacked.  Starting with the third post it has been a good discussion on Amtrak items that GGD / Sunset / 3rd Rail might be interested in producing.  Since Scott reads this forum and we discuss projects fairly regularly, I can say that future Amtrak projects are on the horizon based on the discussion here but no announcements are imminent.  There are a few other projects that need attention first before any future Amtrak announcements are made.

A second run of cars would be nice after the initial run arrives as I wouldn't mind a set of Phase VI Amfleets now too....

I'm hoping THIS delivery of scale Amfleet and Viewliners will be the turning point for making more GGD scale Amtrak cars. GGD's previous Amtrak offerings generated minimal enthusiasm at best and the order numbers showed it.

Next Amtrak announcements should be a no brainer for Scott as I sent him the links to various threads on this forum... Amtrak Superliner 1 WITH THE LOUNGE car, Amfleet 2's, and the SDP40F's!

20210814_174301

Amfleet2 [foreground] vs Amfleet1

20210813_184351

Superliner 2 [lounge] vs Superliner 1

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@GG1 4877 posted:

I'm still not convinced on a P42 getting 300-500 reservations as there are so many MTH ones on the market and it is a niche model for the two rail market.  Locomotives typically reserve 60/40 2r to 3r these days.  However, I have been proven wrong on more than a few occasions. 

Perhaps down the road ….. maybe we get to see. 🤔  
What kind of “linkage” drives reservations?Seeing these P42s for years, Amtrak trips / vacations with these being the power, coast-to-coast exposure/usage ???  Perhaps all the above.

Last edited by TrainBub

I'm hoping THIS delivery of scale Amfleet and Viewliners will be the turning point for making more GGD scale Amtrak cars. GGD's previous Amtrak offerings generated minimal enthusiasm at best and the order numbers showed it.

Next Amtrak announcements should be a no brainer for Scott as I sent him the links to various threads on this forum... Amtrak Superliner 1 WITH THE LOUNGE car, Amfleet 2's, and the SDP40F's!

20210814_174301

Amfleet2 [foreground] vs Amfleet1

20210813_184351

Superliner 2 [lounge] vs Superliner 1

Good strategy !!! I get the feeling interest has picked up for Amtrak cars !!!  It’s certainly has attracted my attention. The view liner cars that are arriving are Certainly Beautiful models   !!!

Got a message from our Freight Forwarder today:  Vessel is due in Oakland Port on 8-20. I suspect the vessel is moored off the coast of LA while it waits for a spot to open to moor near SF Bay. We expected delivery by 8-27 if it gets off loaded on 8-20, and I that is still in the cards unless there is a special examination ordered by Home Land Security.  We are chosen at random for this extra exams and have to pay $1,000 to $1,500 for the pleasure and wait another 7-10 days the inspection process to be complete.  I have to tell you all, if there was another way to get models over here, or make them here, I would do it. This is for the birds.

We will keep customers informed as we get updated ourselves.

If you don't remember, models were finished and we were ready to ship on June 25th.

Cheers,

Scott Mann

Last edited by sdmann
@GG1 4877 posted:

I wouldn't necessarily say the thread has been hi-jacked.  Starting with the third post it has been a good discussion on Amtrak items that GGD / Sunset / 3rd Rail might be interested in producing.  Since Scott reads this forum and we discuss projects fairly regularly, I can say that future Amtrak projects are on the horizon based on the discussion here but no announcements are imminent.  There are a few other projects that need attention first before any future Amtrak announcements are made.

A second run of cars would be nice after the initial run arrives as I wouldn't mind a set of Phase VI Amfleets now too....

That sucks! Oh well, i could use the savings break....but phaseIV Amfleets and viewliners look tempting too!

Scott,

I don't know if you realize how much we appreciate these shipping updates, so I wanted to just reiterate our thankfulness on that front. When you're used to placing pre-orders with other manufacturers and it goes into a "black hole" cone of silence with very infrequent shipping/manufacturing updates, the updates that you've provided for this shipment are a breath of fresh air. THANK YOU!

Rafi

Yes, I know customer appreciate updates. In this world of instant gratification, I see what it takes to make that happen. With our small crew it takes time. So updates keep everyone relatively relaxed.



F3s are sorted and all paid orders have been pulled. We will release these to UPS on Friday, August 27th, our next work day.

Amtrak Cars will begin sorting on Friday. Cards will be charged over the weekend, Monday next week UPS tag printing, pulling orders and shipping again on Friday next week, September 3rd. It might take a few more work days to get all the Amtrak orders packed and shipped.

That's the plan.

I will say this again... Thank you to those that came forward with your order payments. It really helps us to keep the wheels turning here and at the factory.

I just received sample models of the Krauss Maffei and C&O Hudsons.  The SP Daylights and VGN Gondolas are in production now.  Because of the extreme container costs, we will hold these projects at the factory until they are all ready to ship, probably in Nov/Dec.  EA/E1s are going into production right after the KMs. 20th Century cars after the SP Daylights. Milwaukee Electric design is in process. I suspect the 2nd run Milwaukee cars will fit in early next year.

Cheers, and keep well.

Those boxes are the Viewliners and Extra Amfleet cars, 8 to a box. Behind are the 5 car Amfleet sets, and finally the F3s. This container was brand new. The floor was hardwood and pristine. The cost, $8000 + $2000 delivery.  The previous container in April was $3000 delivered. Someone is raking us over the coals.

I promised a Pizza lunch on Monday for all the hard work.

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Thank you for the update Scott! It is great to have an insider sneak peek into what it takes to bring these items to market.

Very excited about the F3's and Amfleets. Great news and nuggets in the form of SP Daylight, 20th Century and Milwaukee Road.  I know others will be thrilled with the news on the Maffei, Hudsons and other projects.

@sdmann posted:

Yes, I know customer appreciate updates. In this world of instant gratification, I see what it takes to make that happen. With our small crew it takes time. So updates keep everyone relatively relaxed.



F3s are sorted and all paid orders have been pulled. We will release these to UPS on Friday, August 27th, our next work day.

Amtrak Cars will begin sorting on Friday. Cards will be charged over the weekend, Monday next week UPS tag printing, pulling orders and shipping again on Friday next week, September 3rd. It might take a few more work days to get all the Amtrak orders packed and shipped.

That's the plan.

I will say this again... Thank you to those that came forward with your order payments. It really helps us to keep the wheels turning here and at the factory.

I just received sample models of the Krauss Maffei and C&O Hudsons.  The SP Daylights and VGN Gondolas are in production now.  Because of the extreme container costs, we will hold these projects at the factory until they are all ready to ship, probably in Nov/Dec.  EA/E1s are going into production right after the KMs. 20th Century cars after the SP Daylights. Milwaukee Electric design is in process. I suspect the 2nd run Milwaukee cars will fit in early next year.

Cheers, and keep well.

Those boxes are the Viewliners and Extra Amfleet cars, 8 to a box. Behind are the 5 car Amfleet sets, and finally the F3s. This container was brand new. The floor was hardwood and pristine. The cost, $8000 + $2000 delivery.  The previous container in April was $3000 delivered. Someone is raking us over the coals.

I promised a Pizza lunch on Monday for all the hard work.

This Mann looks Happy to finally take delivery of product !!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍

Great update !!!  Nice to see how the production schedule will shape up. Glad 20th Century production between Daylight and M.R. Olympian. I pass on the 20th C. so My wallet catches a break 🤣.   (I can’t buy it all 😑)
Sounds like EA E1 reservations close Very Soon. Will they finish and ship with the Daylights and Gons ?  I hope bunching the finished product saves shipping costs.   The Milwaukee electric is a surprise to me going to design. Very little excitement surrounds it.  I hope those with reservations for it get a bit “charged up” about it !!! 😉   Though not mentioned, I’ll assume the SD40-2 will be produced before the electric.

Cheers !!! 🙂👍

Last edited by TrainBub
@vash44 posted:

Thank you for the update Scott! It is great to have an insider sneak peek into what it takes to bring these items to market.

Very excited about the F3's and Amfleets. Great news and nuggets in the form of SP Daylight, 20th Century and Milwaukee Road.  I know others will be thrilled with the news on the Maffei, Hudsons and other projects.

F3s Yes !!!!    
I await my NDM “A” unit for the beginnings of an Mexican Aztec EAGLE consist - the continuation of the MP EAGLE.  After that will be the NDM 10-6 sleeper offered in Scotts MP EAGLE Extra cars. I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to have a second chance to obtain the NDM F3.   👍
Cheers !!!

Hot and smoky here in the Bay Area Today:  We have all the 2R & 3R F3s Domestic Orders going out Today. A few stragglers in 2R need the ESU board installed, as the factory was short a few. Those will go out on Monday. International orders need to be inspected again, just to make sure, then they will go out late next week.

This weekend I will process the credit cards for the Amtrak cars (Then I can pay the factory the first 30% for the SP Daylights)  and Monday we will sort all these cars and start matching up paid orders with inventory. This is going to take all of next week. I like to have all orders, holds, layaways etc. on the floor with paperwork on top to match up what the computer says we should have left. This is how we find our mistakes. I should have taken a class in college, "How to not make mistakes..."  but I didn't. I think I took Solid State Physics instead.



The C&O Hudson samples arrived and they are spectacular. There was almost nothing to comment to the factory on. They really know how to execute these projects.  The KMs arrived as well, same thing. I shot a couple photos on the test layout, which I will post under their perspective threads on this forum.

Have a nice weekend, and you'll be hearing from UPS.COM with your shipping label info next week. Please take a look and make sure Mr. Smith in AR, isn't being mailed to Mr. Smith in PA. You know what I mean...

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Still need to photograph my AB F3 set in PRR 2 rail from run 1.  In the meantime patiently awaiting the sorting of the Amtrak cars.  When this was pitched to Scott 6 years ago, no one knew it would take this long to get here, but no one also knew how big a car order this ultimately became.  Over 1000 cars in total to sort.

Best of luck to Scott, Shani and the rest of his office team on what will be a busy week!

@GG1 4877 posted:

Still need to photograph my AB F3 set in PRR 2 rail from run 1.  In the meantime patiently awaiting the sorting of the Amtrak cars.  When this was pitched to Scott 6 years ago, no one knew it would take this long to get here, but no one also knew how big a car order this ultimately became.  Over 1000 cars in total to sort.

Best of luck to Scott, Shani and the rest of his office team on what will be a busy week!

If I remember, wasn’t it was kinda stalled as a plastic offering ?  Finally Took off after changing to aluminum cars ?  Over a 1000 cars is HUGE 😳. Definitely now need a 3rail Amtrak diesel. P42 “wave” version my preferred choice.

@TrainBub posted:

If I remember, wasn’t it was kinda stalled as a plastic offering ?  Finally Took off after changing to aluminum cars ?  Over a 1000 cars is HUGE 😳. Definitely now need a 3rail Amtrak diesel. P42 “wave” version my preferred choice.

It was the change to aluminum body PLUS adding the Viewliner cars that made the order come through. IDK if Amfleet 1 alone would have made the project viable. Scott would have to breakdown how much of the 1000 car order was Amfleet1 or how much of the 1000 car order were Viewliners. I can yell you the majority of my huge order was Amfleet 1 and I did get a set of the Viewliners as well.

These Amfleets with their "gasket window inserts" , ball bearings, and lighted directional marker lights will blow any other O scale Amfleet out of the water! [ yea lets see dem assembled Weltz kits that have been hiding for all these decades!]

Last edited by prrhorseshoecurve

It was the change to aluminum body PLUS adding the Viewliner cars that made the order come through. IDK if Amfleet 1 alone would have made the project viable. Scott would have to breakdown how much of the 1000 car order was Amfleet1 or how much of the 1000 car order were Viewliners. I can yell you the majority of my huge order was Amfleet 1 and I did get a set of the Viewliners as well.

These Amfleets with their "gasket window inserts" , ball bearings, and lighted directional marker lights will blow any other O scale Amfleet out of the water! [ yea lets see dem assembled Weltz kits that have been hiding for all these decades!]

Yep you are right about the Viewliner ADDITION !!! Forgot about that. 😑  

Can’t wait to see all the product !!!!  

Last edited by TrainBub

Correction:  "lighted directional marker lights".   The marker lights are all on, or off with the switch under the car. Hard to do directional lights on AC track. DCC is also a form of AC, so 2 Rail has the same issue.  One can add another switch to make them directional, but we were not able to get that into production.

Scott

Last edited by sdmann
@sdmann posted:

Yes, I know customer appreciate updates. In this world of instant gratification, I see what it takes to make that happen. With our small crew it takes time. So updates keep everyone relatively relaxed.



F3s are sorted and all paid orders have been pulled. We will release these to UPS on Friday, August 27th, our next work day.

Amtrak Cars will begin sorting on Friday. Cards will be charged over the weekend, Monday next week UPS tag printing, pulling orders and shipping again on Friday next week, September 3rd. It might take a few more work days to get all the Amtrak orders packed and shipped.

That's the plan.

I will say this again... Thank you to those that came forward with your order payments. It really helps us to keep the wheels turning here and at the factory.

I just received sample models of the Krauss Maffei and C&O Hudsons.  The SP Daylights and VGN Gondolas are in production now.  Because of the extreme container costs, we will hold these projects at the factory until they are all ready to ship, probably in Nov/Dec.  EA/E1s are going into production right after the KMs. 20th Century cars after the SP Daylights. Milwaukee Electric design is in process. I suspect the 2nd run Milwaukee cars will fit in early next year.

Cheers, and keep well.

Those boxes are the Viewliners and Extra Amfleet cars, 8 to a box. Behind are the 5 car Amfleet sets, and finally the F3s. This container was brand new. The floor was hardwood and pristine. The cost, $8000 + $2000 delivery.  The previous container in April was $3000 delivered. Someone is raking us over the coals.

I promised a Pizza lunch on Monday for all the hard work.

Any chance of showing the C&O Hudson Sample??

@GG1 4877 posted:

Interesting to see a Horizon coach in the mix.

Jonathan, you never know what you’ll see when watching trains in the wild!

A few years ago I was railfanning the Northeast Corridor at the abandoned station in Elkton, Md. when right after a long Norfolk Southern tank car drag heading north went by, an Amtrak Dash 8 in Pepsi can paint was rolling southbound pulling an AEM-7 and a single passenger car that looked like an observation car. I was so stunned to see that after a parade of Acela’s, toasters and HHP-8’s that I didn’t take a picture!

I can’t wait for my Amfleets and Viewliners arrive!

Most 2 Rail orders shipped 9/1.

3 Rail we'll try to get most of them out Friday.

I remember doing odd warehouse jobs for gas and beer money in College. I vowed to never work in warehouse jobs again, and here I am 58 yrs old packing boxes day and night. Life's funny that way...

20210831_075725

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I put in my time in a warehouse too, Scott; in my case it was just after college as part of my first "real" job. 100+ degree temps, lots of scratches and cuts, tons of boxes, lots of black dirt on my hands at the end of the day from handling all of the cardboard boxes, etc. But driving the forklift was a blast. ;-)

Regardless, thank you for the hard work, and thank you for putting some time in at the warehouse all these years later. Please know that each of us is going to have a smile of delight when the deliveries show up.

And to echo others, I'd love to see the C&O Hudson production sample when things calm down and you have time to breathe.

Thanks again,
Rafi

@sdmann posted:

Most 2 Rail orders shipped 9/1.

3 Rail we'll try to get most of them out Friday.

I remember doing odd warehouse jobs for gas and beer money in College. I vowed to never work in warehouse jobs again, and here I am 58 yrs old packing boxes day and night. Life's funny that way...

20210831_075725

Lol! That must be my order on the left! The double box tower with additional cars on top... Like a Cherry on a Sundae!

Be Careful about planning around the initial UPS delivery schedule email. That schedules is based on us shipping your boxes on the same day we print the label. We usually wait a few days, in this case, 2 days to give customers time to get back to us if the timing is bad, or address is wrong etc. The moment UPS scans your package label as it enters their system, the tracking delivery date will get updated to a later date.

With My UPS, you can have your package held at a UPS Store or Center, or re-directed to another address. I highly recommend joining you can control your deliveries.

https://www.ups.com/us/en/serv...acking/mychoice.page

@sdmann posted:

Be Careful about planning around the initial UPS delivery schedule email. That schedules is based on us shipping your boxes on the same day we print the label. We usually wait a few days, in this case, 2 days to give customers time to get back to us if the timing is bad, or address is wrong etc. The moment UPS scans your package label as it enters their system, the tracking delivery date will get updated to a later date.

With My UPS, you can have your package held at a UPS Store or Center, or re-directed to another address. I highly recommend joining you can control your deliveries.

https://www.ups.com/us/en/serv...acking/mychoice.page

I can concur about joining ! Very beneficial !!! In the past I’ve redirected and have held at store. There’s also a live “chat” option for help that just yesterday worked really well for me. My 2 package delivery got separated and one piece came a day early - I missed and it went off to an unidentified location. On the real delivery day, I spied the ups truck on my condo parking lot so went to the truck thinking I might actually be getting a real delivery. I did but then found out only one of two packages !!! Panic !! 😳😖 And I got a tight stomach to boot ☹️☹️
The help - “chat” was new to me but Really Worked. Its a bit slow and and I kept getting disconnected because I can’t type fast on my phone - but I kept typing info and hitting the send arrow. It reconnects you !!! 👍👍 They found my package and it was at a drop location I didn’t know about. My “we missed you” note didn’t say where it was going So don’t assume you know where it goes. There can be surprises.  

Good ending for me.  Get in the system !!!!! I’d rather have the perfect delivery but they helped me thru a “wonky” delivery.

Cheers !!!!

Last edited by TrainBub

I use "My UPS" and most of the time it works well rerouting packages.  However, there are times that a shipment is forbidden from being rerouted until after one delivery attempt, and sometimes not at all.   There are inconsistent reasons for this.   Also, since Covid19 both UPS and Fedex often leave a package on the porch that is signature required.  Not a good feeling having expensive items left on the porch while you are at work, in spite of signature required.  Or because their technology is erratic as far as rerouting. The delivery person can sign their own scanner with Covid being the reason and avoiding face to face delivery.  I would think that this was intended for use when the delivery person physically sees the recipient through the door without opening the door. This is being misused by drivers just wanting to dump packages.    I have important items sent directly to a UPS Store to avoid the random blocking of reroute capability.

Last edited by VistaDomeScott

I got quite a surprise when I got home.  Box 1 of 2 arrived via UPS today that had my extra order Amfleet coaches and my Viewliner order.  I took some quick shots of the two sleepers in Phase III and Phase VI and the Phase III Amfleet coach. 

It has been so long, I honestly forgot I got a Phase VI sleeper to go with my Phase III one for a more prototypical modern train.  Now I need to track down some Phase VI coaches.

In all honestly, I am thrilled with these and I hope you are too.  I can't wait to get them on the club layout.

20210907_16475120210907_16531720210907_165405

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I like the Amtrak license logo on the box.

BCF8EC8B-70C4-468E-8F6C-B80F8D84712B

Viewliner II Diner detail

83C8B758-EF82-4B84-9AE7-513DFF150B39

Viewliner II Sleeper:

630FDFA3-D275-4057-8A67-DCC5482BEFBA

80DBD075-AB5F-4E58-92B6-D02F76EDD65B

95CC822C-FCB8-4CDC-B8A3-768FCB051448

8983F9B1-F6E8-4371-BB0D-D86DD01FB329

Car length coupler to coupler:

57E60A87-814A-4449-BB1F-0FF4FD66BA1A

Car body length:

0BA9F9D6-DC12-44C9-80EB-9D5B35CEF08A

These doo dads were included in each box.  I'm not sure if they are extras or items that need to be installed.  They are metal.

967744CA-0857-440D-9DA3-287E38036B40

Unfortunately, upon closer inspection it looks like the coach car has the cafe interior and the cafe car has the coach interior.  Not sure if it's just a simple switching of the car bodies or not.

I hope everyone who bought these cars enjoys them as much as I will!  There are six Amtrak F40PH's, four P42's, a P40, a half dozen AEM-7 Toasters, an HHP-8, and three Dash-8's all jostling for position to pull these beauties!  And a 44 Tonner to line them up at the station!!

The consist I assembled in this set are as follows:
4 Amfleet Phase VI Coaches
1 Amfleet Phase VI Cafe car
2 Viewliner II Phase VI Baggage Cars
2 Viewliner II  Phase VI Sleeper Cars
1 Viewliner Phase VI Diner

Now I have to get some power to the tracks!!  Videos will come after that.

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Last edited by Traindiesel
@Traindiesel posted:




Car body length:

0BA9F9D6-DC12-44C9-80EB-9D5B35CEF08A

These doo dads were included in each box.  I'm not sure if they are extras or items that need to be installed.  They are metal.

967744CA-0857-440D-9DA3-287E38036B40



Only in the OHHH gauges do you get.. " hey look it's 21" long, it must be scale... "

My N and HO scale buddies are always poking fun at my community, creative compression everywhere. These cars are scaled down from 1:1 to 1:48 granted the 1:29 couplers you guys use in 3RS might add another scale 3 feet.

NICE CARS SCOTT!

The Miracle Worker.

Last edited by Erik C Lindgren
@GG1 4877 posted:

There are 12 sleeper car names.  Yes.  Someone ordered 12 sleepers and we needed unique names for each.  This buyer is anonymous and and I wouldn't share it if I knew it.  Good thing Amtrak has lots of great names to use on their River series sleepers!   

Are the 12 sleepers all in a single paint scheme or split across several?

Looking forward to Friday's delivery. =)

There are 24 unique names and numbers spread across Phase 3 and 6 for the sleepers. Other cars we did less unique names/numbers based on the highest quantity from any single customer.

The little people are the same as always with 10 in each car. Supposed to be anyway. 

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

@sdmann posted:

There are 24 unique names and numbers spread across Phase 3 and 6 for the sleepers. Other cars we did less unique names/numbers based on the highest quantity from any single customer.

The little people are the same as always with 10 in each car. Supposed to be anyway.

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

Much appreciation to Scott and Jonathan on the project! Hats off to all of the team I have not had the chance to speak with. Looking forward to a future rerun and a chance to complete the run. Might take a few reruns given the scope of this set.

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

I'll be the first to put in an order for 5 Amfleet II's and a couple Viewliner I's in Phase VI!

@sdmann posted:

There are 24 unique names and numbers spread across Phase 3 and 6 for the sleepers. Other cars we did less unique names/numbers based on the highest quantity from any single customer.

The little people are the same as always with 10 in each car. Supposed to be anyway.

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

Yea! Im in for phase VI Viewliner sleepers and Phase VI AmfleetII's!

BTW, the F.B. Amtrak group's smaller scale guys and gals are Jealous of us O scalers right now...until Rapido does them.

I know that they're a lot of Amtrak detractors out there and on this forum that think that only passenger trains pre-1971 are worth running on their layouts, but I'm glad to see the unbridled enthusiasm over these GGD Amtrak units these past few months. If the PRR, NYC, Milwaukee Road and others had this much love towards them in the 1960s as they do now, they would have never went belly up.

It's been like a Christmas morning to many.

Is it another 1,237th version of a Warbonnet? Nope.  Doesn't have to be.  There is a dedicated market out there for Amtrak. Glad Scott and his group took this step.

Last edited by Amfleet25124

I started out with heritage trains, then a mixture of heritage cars like early Amtrak, then heritage cars painted for Amtrak now the Amfleets and Viewliners.  Tom Marsh, founder Overland Models, 40 years ago told me people model what they remember so the progression to modern Amtrak was inevitable.  I watched the Powhatan Arrow in red then blue then stainless steel and blue...........now the red, white and blue of Amtrak.  Thank you Scott Mann!!!

@Traindiesel posted:

I like the Amtrak license logo on the box.

BCF8EC8B-70C4-468E-8F6C-B80F8D84712B

Viewliner II Diner detail

83C8B758-EF82-4B84-9AE7-513DFF150B39

Viewliner II Sleeper:

630FDFA3-D275-4057-8A67-DCC5482BEFBA

80DBD075-AB5F-4E58-92B6-D02F76EDD65B

95CC822C-FCB8-4CDC-B8A3-768FCB051448

8983F9B1-F6E8-4371-BB0D-D86DD01FB329

Car length coupler to coupler:

57E60A87-814A-4449-BB1F-0FF4FD66BA1A

Car body length:

0BA9F9D6-DC12-44C9-80EB-9D5B35CEF08A

These doo dads were included in each box.  I'm not sure if they are extras or items that need to be installed.  They are metal.

967744CA-0857-440D-9DA3-287E38036B40

Those doo dads are the end stirrups that you might want to install for terminal switching. The air line hoses is optional for 3 railers.

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@sdmann posted:

There are 24 unique names and numbers spread across Phase 3 and 6 for the sleepers. Other cars we did less unique names/numbers based on the highest quantity from any single customer.

The little people are the same as always with 10 in each car. Supposed to be anyway.

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

As someone who commutes on the NE Corridor at least a few times a month, these are AWESOME.  I'll be getting in on a potential Run #2.

I currently have no Amtrak engines on my layout, but looking out the window leaving Washington Union Station yesterday, I saw several not counting the plethora of old EMD switchers there.  Can anyone shed light on which road locos might map to which Amfleet / Viewliner Phases, in real life and what's been done and / or currently available in 3 rail?

As an aside, and I know it would be likely limited interest -- MARC / Bombardier's bi-level cars would be really cool, and I'd sign up for a train of those as they've never been done in O (scale or gauge) to my knowledge.

@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.

I ordered one of the Phase I sets, but I still did not get an e-mail to confirm the shipping label yet. I was probably one of the people who payed a little bit later after the first announcement of when they will arrive in America, so I understand.

@BlueFeather posted:


I currently have no Amtrak engines on my layout, but looking out the window leaving Washington Union Station yesterday, I saw several not counting the plethora of old EMD switchers there.  Can anyone shed light on which road locos might map to which Amfleet / Viewliner Phases, in real life and what's been done and / or currently available in 3 rail?



Amfleet Phase I would match E and F units, Phase 1 SDP40Fs, and Phase II F40PHs(MTH/Lionel).  On the corridor, it would go well with Amtrak GG1s (black and Phase I -MTH and Lionel) and Phase II E60s ( no one) They wouldn't match any of the Viewliner Equipment.

Phase II Amfleets would go well with Phase II, III F40PHs (MTH and Lionel), Phase III AEM-7s (MTH), Phase II E60 (no one) , Phase II and III P30CHs (no one), Phase II and III FL9s, and phase I and II SDP40Fs. They still won't match the Viewliners.

Phase III and IV Amfleets and Phase IV Viewliners would look good with Phase III and IV F40PHs, Genesis engines (MTH), AEM-7s (MTH), Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas), HHP-8 (Lionel), E60s (MTH)

Phase VI Amfleets and Viewliners and Phase III (reprised) Viewliner IIs will match  Phase V Genesis (MTH), AEM-7 (MTH), HHP-8 (Lionel), ACS-64 (no one...yet), Phase IV and V Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas) and the chargers (no one)

That's all I can think of at this point.

@P42Amtrak83 posted:

Amfleet Phase I would match E and F units, Phase 1 SDP40Fs, and Phase II F40PHs(MTH/Lionel).  On the corridor, it would go well with Amtrak GG1s (black and Phase I -MTH and Lionel) and Phase II E60s ( no one) They wouldn't match any of the Viewliner Equipment.

Phase II Amfleets would go well with Phase II, III F40PHs (MTH and Lionel), Phase III AEM-7s (MTH), Phase II E60 (no one) , Phase II and III P30CHs (no one), Phase II and III FL9s, and phase I and II SDP40Fs. They still won't match the Viewliners.

Phase III and IV Amfleets and Phase IV Viewliners would look good with Phase III and IV F40PHs, Genesis engines (MTH), AEM-7s (MTH), Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas), HHP-8 (Lionel), E60s (MTH)

Phase VI Amfleets and Viewliners and Phase III (reprised) Viewliner IIs will match  Phase V Genesis (MTH), AEM-7 (MTH), HHP-8 (Lionel), ACS-64 (no one...yet), Phase IV and V Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas) and the chargers (no one)

That's all I can think of at this point.

Holy smokes!  This is fantastic info, thanks so much!  I will need something to pull these after all.  ;-)

UPS just dropped off my diner and baggage cars. Overall super pleased with them. The interior on the dining car will get some upgrades including painting, removing the partitions between tables, and adding a wall between the kitchen and walkway. All in all, phenomenal cars! Really hoping to pick up a bag/ dorm car and then ready for the Amfleet II and Viewliner I to finish my Crescent circa 2019.20210908_17454720210908_17460220210908_17463520210908_17470320210908_17471120210908_17521820210908_17585320210908_175944

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  • 20210908_174547: The dining car looks beautiful with the lights on.
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  • 20210908_174703: The baggage car has different diaphragms than the diner for some reason. Anyone else?
  • 20210908_174711: Simple and elegant like the real thing
  • 20210908_175218: Kitchen area of the diner. I think the food health inspector will want a wall between the public.
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  • 20210908_175944: Slightly warmer shade of silver on these cars than the K-Line Superliners.
  • Screenshot_20210908-180240_Gallery: Interior of one of the real dining cars.
@VGN64 posted:

If you are doing a Crescent as I am shouldn’t we be using Amfleet II cars as they only have one door on each side while Amfleet I cars have two doors on a side.  Amtrak ordered the Amfleet II cars for long distance trains.  Here is a video of a recent Crescent in Lynchburg, VA.

You are correct that Amfleet II cars serve on the long distance trains.  The major differences are larger windows and the single vestibule.  Amfleet I cars currently mainly serve the NE Corridor and in Keystone service.  However they also were used in San Joaquin Valley service, contract commuter services out of Boston, and some Chicago Corridor routes.  Many of those Amfleet I's were replaced with Horizon cars in the Midwest and Amtrak California bi-level cars in California.

Starting in the late 80's Amfleet II coaches and Cafes started replacing Heritage Coaches and Lounges on the Broadway Limited when I was riding it fairly frequently.  In all honestly, I always preferred the ride of the Heritage cars.  When I was able to get a Slumbercoach berth, that was even better! 

Looking forward to the Phase III Slumbercoach as I plan on building the Broadway Limited I am familiar with.  Getting close with the cars.

Last edited by GG1 4877
@P42Amtrak83 posted:

Amfleet Phase I would match E and F units, Phase 1 SDP40Fs, and Phase II F40PHs(MTH/Lionel).  On the corridor, it would go well with Amtrak GG1s (black and Phase I -MTH and Lionel) and Phase II E60s ( no one) They wouldn't match any of the Viewliner Equipment.

Phase II Amfleets would go well with Phase II, III F40PHs (MTH and Lionel), Phase III AEM-7s (MTH), Phase II E60 (no one) , Phase II and III P30CHs (no one), Phase II and III FL9s, and phase I and II SDP40Fs. They still won't match the Viewliners.

Phase III and IV Amfleets and Phase IV Viewliners would look good with Phase III and IV F40PHs, Genesis engines (MTH), AEM-7s (MTH), Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas), HHP-8 (Lionel), E60s (MTH)

Phase VI Amfleets and Viewliners and Phase III (reprised) Viewliner IIs will match  Phase V Genesis (MTH), AEM-7 (MTH), HHP-8 (Lionel), ACS-64 (no one...yet), Phase IV and V Dash 8s (MTH and Atlas) and the chargers (no one)

That's all I can think of at this point.

A few corrections if I may be permitted.

  • Amtrak also leased PC GG1s prior to that roads demise and some Amtrak GG1s still retained their PRR DGLE Single Stripe with the Amtrak Helvetica white stencil centered under the stripe.  The GG1 replaced the original Metroliner cars in Metroliner service and is the only time they were scheduled for 100 mph operation.  All Amtrak GG1s were retired in 1981.  Amtrak with help, did repaint GG1 4935 into it's PRR DGLE 5 stripe paint scheme in 1977.  It ran with this paint until retirement.  Since Amfleet cars required Head End Power and GG1s only had steam generators, Amtrak had a small fleet of HEP cars that were either converted coaches or baggage cars.  They ran either at the end of the train or just behind the locomotive.   In addition to MTH and Lionel, Weaver offered their brass GG1 in Penn Central and Amtrak Phase I paint and Williams has produced the scale GG1 in PC and Amtrak Phase I.
  • In addition to Lionel and MTH, K-line made the F40PH in Phase III paint in three numbers.  It is very similar to the Lionel offering.  Possibly the same tooling although Lionel has stated otherwise.
  • SDP40Fs were all built with steam generators and while they may have pulled Amfleet cars, it would only be if they were leading an F40PH that provided the Head End Power to the Amfleet Cars.  SDP40Fs were built specifically for long distance trains that at the time consisted of predecessor road steam heated equipment.  While most got remanufactured into F40PHS, some SDP40Fs lasted long enough to get painted in Phase III paint.  MTH has offered the FP45 in Amtrak Phase I paint in the Railking Scale line, but the SDP40F is really a different locomotive on closer inspection.  Athearn has done an excellent SDP40F in HO and Kato one in N scale.
  • FL9s were remanufactured for Amtrak in 1978 with HEP generator sets so there are photos of the FL9 in an early Phase III paint scheme pulling Phase II painted Amfleet cars.  3rd Rail made the FL9 around 2013 in the later Phase III paint scheme so it is most appropriate for Phase III painted Amfleet cars.  The few other F units that Amtrak inherited were never converted to HEP and were mainly former Southern Pacific FP7s.
  • A total of 5 E units were converted to HEP.  Most of the E units retained their steam generators for use on long distance steam heated trains.
  • Atlas also produced the AEM7 in 1999 in the Phase III paint scheme and it is a wonderful model even though it does not have command. 
  • Williams has also produced the Genesis locomotives in all the various paint schemes. 
@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.

I did get a pair of Phase Is and IIs. I also have IVs coming. Tracking shows delivery Friday. Have a car show this weekend and hopefully can open them up Sunday.

@sdmann posted:

Glad people are enjoying these. Hats off to Jonathan. He really single handedly delivered and checked the painting and lettering all the way through the process. Even Amtrak (Matt) was involved in the corrections process and sending information as design and production progressed. Looks like we will need to do a rerun of these along with Amfleet IIs and Viewliner Is.

As someone who was not able to preorder because I was a broke college kid when they were originally announced, I am really hoping that this second run is also done in the modern Amtrak Phase VI paint scheme.

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