Great news Scott, both here and in the e-mail updates.
I'm also guessing from the lack of interest hereabouts that a Sprinter or a Charger is not on the list.
Scott, Is it correct that in this run there will not be a Phase VI Amfleet I 5 car set? I don't see it listed in your reservation page. Only extra cars for coach and cafe? If that is the case, confirming you're doing 4 numbers each for the extra cars before I place my order.
While I cannot speak to the website, I can say with confidence that there will be plenty of numbers. At least 4 per car. Typically once Scott closes the orders he looks at who has ordered and how many cars they have ordered and we provide the number of car numbers accordingly.
On a separate note Richard - I'd likely be in for both a Charger and a Sprinter, but then I'd need to add some Phase VI Amfleet cars and find some Atlas Phase VI Horizon cars. Where does it end? 
Bachmann released their Charger models in HO and they are outstanding. I like the look better than the Genesis series as far as locomotive aesthetics go, but that is just my opinion.
@GG1 4877 posted:On a separate note Richard - I'd likely be in for both a Charger and a Sprinter, but then I'd need to add some Phase VI Amfleet cars and find some Atlas Phase VI Horizon cars. Where does it end?
Fuhgeddabout those ugly Siemens engines - I hear the license from Siemens is a real bear too - we need an E60 so we can build up our clocker and LD consists!!!!
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@GG1 4877 posted:
On a separate note Richard - I'd likely be in for both a Charger and a Sprinter, but then I'd need to add some Phase VI Amfleet cars and find some Atlas Phase VI Horizon cars. Where does it end?
Bachmann released their Charger models in HO and they are outstanding. I like the look better than the Genesis series as far as locomotive aesthetics go, but that is just my opinion.
I'm definitely in for a couple charger units in the midwest scheme! TCS WOWSound
@M J Breen posted:Fuhgeddabout those ugly Siemens engines - I hear the license from Siemens is a real bear too - we need an E60 so we can build up our clocker and LD consists!!!!
I'll take mine in Phase III please in the E60MA configuration.
You might want to wait on the Chargers if they ever do come in O Scale. Rumor has it the finished versions that will be used on the Amtrak will have a removable nose piece like the ones on the P42s in case of collisions. Engines owned by state partners, like the current Amtrak Midwest and Cascades Chargers, will supposedly remain as they are.
I am not really interested in modern passenger equipment but if I did decide on a Superliner, it would have to be specifically #32009, the George M. Pullman. Here is why. Having just found this thread a couple of days ago caused me to remember an eastbound trip on the Builder some years ago. I flew to Portland, OR and rode the train back to Chicago; Amtrak back then had fly/ride deal with United Airlines. I had a coach seat for the return and when I got to the station I had realized that three days and two nights in a coach just would not do. I was able to upgrade to a sleeper; imagine my surprise when I walked to my assigned car and saw George M. Pullman (#32009) on the side of the car. One of only two named Superliner sleepers, the other was Edward L. Ullman (#32003)!
I'm comparing the website and reservation forms, and while I'm pretty sure these will be straightened out before the reservation deadline closes, I noticed that:
--the photo of the Phase 6 Viewliner appears to show Phase 4, with the large Helvetica Amtrak 'wordmark' (as described in the paint scheme + logo guide).
--the reservation page mentions Phase 3 without saying whether this is the older Phase 3 or the newer Phase 3+"Amtrak America" variant. For the record, I'm assuming this means the latter as the VL-2's are all in the latter scheme.
--the reservation page refers to Phase 6 as the "Amtrak America" scheme. As far as I know, and according the the logo guide, "Amtrak America" appears as a variant of Phase 3. Phase 6 is essentially Phase 4 with the current-day 'Travelmark' logo replacing the large wordmark.
Personally, I'm looking forward to reserving a baggage and crew-dorm in Phase 3, two Phase 6 sleepers and one diner. Going to be my most costly passenger car purchase since the Acela 
---PCJ
I'm so confused right now. I will have to review my order to see what I picked. All I know is the price for the Amfleet and viewliners is around the 3k mark. I better start dumping my mth cars.
I pulled the trigger on the assortment I detailed above, after determining I'd have enough $$$ saved by the fall. I'll most likely add an E60MA too.
---PCJ
Agree with the above statements. This one is going to hurt! Still excited though!
Just in case anyone needs some more inspiration to order a few more Viewliner and Amfleet cars, here is my video of the Lakeshore Limited today at W65th Street in Cleveland. Running 7 hours late giving Ohioans a daylight train today.
Small World! I built the shoo-fly and the track back on the bridge there at 73rd street and father caruso drive In my former career. Was nice being by the lake there (my photo)
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Folks,
Amfleet I and Viewliner II cars are going into production soon. We will be closing reservations in 10 days (Sept 10th). Please make your reservations now for a late year production. Thank you.
http://www.goldengatedepot.com...rvation.html#AMFLEET
Scott Mann
Whew!! Just got my order in. I've been wanting scale Viewliners and Amfleets forever! Thank you Scott.
I put in a reservation a few minutes ago, and I'd say it was at 11:54 PM, but the confirmation page says September 11. Not exactly sure how you close the reservations Scott, but I hope I made the cut. And if I didn't, I completely understand; I know it was just about last minute.
What's the time window for E60(MA) reservations? I thought I had made one, but I don't see a confirmation in my Inbox. I think I may have printed out the form as a reminder, but without actually submitting it, so maybe a direct inquiry is in order.
---PCJ
@RailRide posted:What's the time window for E60(MA) reservations? I thought I had made one, but I don't see a confirmation in my Inbox. I think I may have printed out the form as a reminder, but without actually submitting it, so maybe a direct inquiry is in order.
---PCJ
E60s are still open as far as I know. They are listed as open on the website - Scott has not yet confirmed they are going into production- so I bet preorders Are still coming in. Get your orders in guys - I’ve been waiting for a scale E60 for a long time!!
E60's reservations will be open for a while I suspect. Need to get to the critical mass of pre-orders to move into any formal design. I ordered my 3 - Phase II CH, MA, and NJT CH - all the ones I rode behind. I can't speak to how many preorders are needed.
@RailRide posted:What's the time window for E60(MA) reservations? I thought I had made one, but I don't see a confirmation in my Inbox. I think I may have printed out the form as a reminder, but without actually submitting it, so maybe a direct inquiry is in order.
---PCJ
You can always e-mail Sunset models to verify. But as you noted, once a person submits a reservation, a confirmation email is returned the next day or two to verify.
No confirmation, chances are good you didnt submit the reservation form.
I got my confirmation e-mail today, so I am all set. BTW Scott is very quick with replies, and that's good to know for the future.
So did I! I got my confirmation as well! Now the more important part of Coming up with da money...honey! I just made The GP7/9 bill... and the Amtrak bill is 2x that! OY VEY!
If you still want to put reservations in for the Amfleet I and Viewliner II cars, we will accommodate. But as time goes on it gets more and more difficult to adjust production as parts are being ordered from several sources from Korea and China.
And thank you all for your support on this project. It's going to be spectacular.
Scott
Oh I and others know it will. I see a lot of Clark Benson assembled kits on da bay as of late.
@sdmann if you have some time, could you please provide an update on this project? Production photos or even just a look at the cad drawings would be fascinating. Thanks!
@Will Ebbert posted:@sdmann if you have some time, could you please provide an update on this project? Production photos or even just a look at the cad drawings would be fascinating. Thanks!
Will,
Final graphics are going to Amtrak for review tomorrow. The last piece of information needed was how to how to properly show the graphics on the sleeper. The VL II is slightly different than the VLI and has only been in service since about March.
I'll probably call Scott tomorrow and ask if he will allow posting of any graphics. While I have not done full project graphics personally since the 2017, I am doing these. All the extrusions are done from what I understand and they are doing the CNC work on the windows. Colors have been matched based on Amtrak documentation. April is a real window for delivery assuming the shipping container doesn't get held up in customs.
I'm excited to finally see this project come together! I have 8 Amfleet cars and 4 Viewliners coming. 
Any updates or previews on the Viewliner & Amfleet project?
Sample models are being painted now and we are addressing minor corrections to discrepancies from the painting diagrams. While I am not permitted to share photos, they look absolutely stunning and that is just the shell with stripes on it. As I understand everything is fabricated and once the painting is approved and completed, they just need to be assembled. It is getting closer!
Jonathan... thanks !
I'm counting on a July to August second invoice and an October delivery. This will be the biggest preorder bill i ever had! April 2021 shipping/delivery is now out of the question based on Jonathan's comment above.
@GG1 4877 Thanks for the update, and pretty cool to hear that you were able to see them in-person. The 5-car Amfleet set and one of the Viewliners will be my first pieces from GGD, and I can't wait!
Since ordering is now closed seems a tad arrogant and condescending not to share pictures of cars most if us will be paying over $4,000 for.
What's the harm? You think Lionel is going to run out and make them?
@AlanRail posted:Since ordering is now closed seems a tad arrogant and condescending not to share pictures of cars most if us will be paying over $4,000 for.
What's the harm? You think Lionel is going to run out and make them?
Really? I've never seen Lionel or MTH or Atlas or anyone else post pictures of stuff in production pre delivery. Besides, every time it was done in the past someone would post a dumb comment about the color or something or the other and Scott would have to deal with cancellations because of the comment. And then those people who cancelled them, after the models were delivered and saw them would call back trying to reinstantiate their order only to find out they had been sold and they would get angry.
I'm on Scott's side here.
@AlanRail posted:Since ordering is now closed seems a tad arrogant and condescending not to share pictures of cars most if us will be paying over $4,000 for.
Well at least its good to know i have company re the final order tab... not aligned with AlanRail's thoughts and feelings though.
@prrhorseshoecurve posted:Well at least its good to know i have company re the final order tab... not aligned with AlanRail's thoughts and feelings though.
I have skin in this one too. 13 cars in my order.
Believe me it is not arrogance not to show pre-production photos. As Richard mentioned above, there was a vocal group of people on this forum who would take every opportunity to trash the model based on pre-production pictures that either had obvious corrections we were aware of, or the color looked wrong based on monitor calibration and the lighting conditions the model was photographed under. On top of that, many of the comments were from people who were not even buying the model or 3rd Rail customers.
It is unfortunate that a few ruined it for everyone.
However, I am very excited to receive these cars. I have scale Amfleets in HO and N. To get scale cars in O was a dream that started in 2015 and with the addition of Viewliners is finally ready to cross the finish line soon. I love passenger cars in general, but being part of the Amfleet generation, I have lots of personal experience riding them and can't wait to see them running on a layout. My first ride on one was around 1977 and saw a real pre-modified Metroliner a few tracks over.
Trash it I've agreed to pay for it.
If you can't take the heat now, later will be better?
Or is it better to surprise us!
Just be patient and wait to get the finished product. As was previously mentioned, it's not like the other manufacturers send photos from the factory. It'll all be ok.
I'm really not trying to make this bigger an issue than it is, but look at this this way: The final product is not the preproduction sample. They have errors that are being corrected. We all paid for finished models, not sample models.
Imagine if preproduction photos were shared of the Congressional. This is a factory production sample in my collection.
I love it, but most might be a wee bit upset if it was the final product.
I like being helpful in providing info when I can that is relevant to the projects I'm involved with. However, seeing that my comment that started all this did not further the thread positively, I will take myself out of this specific conversation. I will enjoy the cars immensely when they arrive and I hope everyone else will as well.
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