New Sunset PA's

I have a PRR version in 2R.  I will post pictures soon.  Left my pro camera at the office but will be getting it tomorrow.  It is awesome and has the offset number boards.

As promised, here are photos of the PRR version.  These are a hair underexposed, but you get the idea.  We finally got offset number boards, but I will be refining this detail for the factory on the E7 v3.0.  Personally, I'm thrilled.  The only locomotive I'm missing on the PRR side of NY&LB operations in the mid 1950's is the BP20 and perhaps an E6s someday.

Beautiful Jonathan 

Nice color there Jonathan - I really like that it has a maroon tint to it unlike a JLC GG1 I had years ago that looked like a Hershey bar!

GG1 4877 posted:

As promised, here are photos of the PRR version.  These are a hair underexposed, but you get the idea.  We finally got offset number boards, but I will be refining this detail for the factory on the E7 v3.0.  Personally, I'm thrilled.  The only locomotive I'm missing on the PRR side of NY&LB operations in the mid 1950's is the BP20 and perhaps an E6s someday.

When you state refining the version, do you mean adding the "Bug Eye" red marker light on the center of the numberboard?

Hi,

Does it have a tower drive or through the fuel tank drive? Thanks

Daryl

Thru the fuel tank drive.

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

 

When you state refining the version, do you mean adding the "Bug Eye" red marker light on the center of the numberboard?

At this point, mainly getting the offset anchors a little more to scale.  Not sure how to add the market as it is so small, but certainly a possibility.  I need to get 4 sets of Precision Scale versions while they might be remotely available to upgrade my 1st run E7s.  However, just having the number boards offset is a huge improvement for the Tuscan diesel era of the PRR.

Jon, any chance you can post another photo of the unit taken in daylight? I'd like to see how the Tuscan looks in natural light.

And here is how we see them from our factory photo. Again, the Tuscan color we use is the same we use each time we make PRRT.

I don't want to change the subject of this thread but just want SDMANN to know how much I like my Sunset/3rd Rail New Haven PA.

MELGAR

sdmann posted:

And here is how we see them from our factory photo. Again, the Tuscan color we use is the same we use each time we make PRRT.

 

 

Thanks Scott.  I should have pointed that out.  The color is consistent with every Sunset diesel offered since the original E7 of 2011.  I have at least one of every PRR Tuscan diesel made that includes the E7, FP7, E8, and now the PA. 

GG1 4877 posted:

prrhorseshoecurve posted:

 

When you state refining the version, do you mean adding the "Bug Eye" red marker light on the center of the numberboard?

At this point, mainly getting the offset anchors a little more to scale.  Not sure how to add the market as it is so small, but certainly a possibility.  I need to get 4 sets of Precision Scale versions while they might be remotely available to upgrade my 1st run E7s.  However, just having the number boards offset is a huge improvement for the Tuscan diesel era of the PRR.

Well the " bug eye" marker couldbr lit via fiber optic cable back into the nose then a red led in a plastic box inside the nose preforated by the fiber optic cable. 

You might want to check Bill Davis "American O scale" for that PRR  detailed number board that you seek!

This Forum is chock full of bad influences   

After seeing a number of posts about the new 3rd Rail PA's, I started to wish I had ordered one... and based a number of photos posted on another thread of the NH green paint scheme, that would have been my choice. In looking at 3rd Rails website, I found that I could put my name on a wait list, so on a lark, I added my name a couple of weeks ago. Last Monday, I got an e-mail from Scott saying he had an extra, so I immediately replied I'd love to have it. Today, the brown Easter Bunny dropped this off...

And before anyone comments, I am leaving the foam over the two trucks so they will constantly clean the wheels!!! Looks like a beautifully detailed model - won't get a chance to run it till tomorrow.

Now a question...

The engine come with a second pilot which a smaller opening which I think would look better. My layout has minimum O-72 curves - could I swap the pilots while keeping the electro-coupler???

Thanks.

Or you could convert to 2-rail.

I love PAs.  Honorary steam locomotives . . .

bob2 posted:

Or you could convert to 2-rail.

I love PAs.  Honorary steam locomotives . . .

Bob;

After 40 years of collecting 3 Rail Lionel, and FINALLY starting a permanent Fastrack layout a couple of years ago, I'd have to have a major fire sale to go 2 Rail... I think not   

But thanks for the suggestion!!!

072 Turn-outs cause the couplers to reach across, opposite to the truck movement. Only then do you need the larger 3 rail opening in the pilot. Give it a try. Just a couple screws to replace it.

Scott

sdmann posted:

072 Turn-outs cause the couplers to reach across, opposite to the truck movement. Only then do you need the larger 3 rail opening in the pilot. Give it a try. Just a couple screws to replace it.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I saw the two screws, so it should be an easy change, even for a techno-peasant!!! I'll give it a try after I run it in a bit.

Thanks.

appreciate the added photo Scott. just what I was looking for.

The Rockford O Scalers pick up our Alco PAs tomorrow from Merlyn Lauber of Caboose Stop Hobbies.  Santa Fe Warbonnet, PRR Brunswick Green 5 stripe and Nickel Plate Road are the paint schemes we are getting.  We can hardly wait!  We will post some pictures once we  get them unpacked!

Here are some photos of the Rockford O Scalers Pennsylvania Brunswick Green 5 stripe PA A/B set.  Beautiful!

The Rockford O Scalers believe these models are excellent as is (especially for the price) and we don’t mean to suggest otherwise.  We especially appreciate the all wheel electrical pickups that each unit has.  This is a great operational improvement over earlier SS 3rd Rail diesels that didn’t pick up on all wheels.

However, we do have some suggestions for continued improvement as follows:

1. The LEDs are very bright which is probably OK for a headlight but way too bright for backup headlights which, for some reason, are on when the units are running forward.  Also there is no need to light the A unit class lights with very bright LEDs in white and red.  This is distracting and toy like. (We probably will leave the lighting as is for fear of messing something up by trying to change it!)

2. Looking from the side of the units, there is too much motor/wiring/daylight visible through the grill work, especially in the B units when the lights are on at start up. (We will remedy this with black tape and/or paper after removing the body shells)

3. Cab interior has a large hand brake wheel visible which is correct only for an EMD FT. (This will be removed on our A units)

4. Our B unit had a very loud drivetrain vibration sound when we first ran it.  This turned out to be a loose set screw in one of the driveshaft universal joints going to the rear truck.  A few turns of the correct small size Allen wrench fixed that problem and both units now run as they should.

We really appreciate all of the work that Scott and crew have done to bring us these excellent models.  We look forward to the forthcoming EMD E5/E6 model’s!

Those are stunning!

Frank,

Thank you for the suggestions for improving the product.

FYI: In 2 Rail, all lighting is controllable and can be set to any intensity and behavior using DCC CVs or QSI's CV Manager Program.  There is a table in the manual for changing CVs for all the features.

We have links to the latest manuals and information regarding the QSI Titan Decoders. But don't ask me, I can hardly program a new engine number.

FOR 2 RAIL - QSI DCC MANUALS (DOWNLOAD)
FOR 2 RAIL - QSI PROGRAMS (DOWNLOAD)

As for the grills being see through, well I thought I would block out the interior view of the E7s by painting the backs of the windows on the 2nd run... NOT!!!  M many customers disliked that, so we don't block views even though the view is only of wires and motors and the such.

Enjoy your models... Great layout and pictures.

Scott - China

Thanks for the suggestions, Scott!  

We really like the fact that every new model issued by Sunset 3rd Rail is better than the previous ones.  That’s continuous improvement and we really appreciate all of your efforts to deliver these great models to the O Scale Community.

Frank McCabe posted:

Here are some photos of the Rockford O Scalers Pennsylvania Brunswick Green 5 stripe PA A/B set.  Beautiful!

Frank;

Beautiful model (my second favorite Pennsy color scheme) on a fabulous layout.

Frank, wonderful models and what a privilege to have such a direct conversation with the manufacturer, cool. 

Scott keep up the great work we all love what you are doing for us. 

aterry11 posted:

   Anyone purchase the PRR version ?   Would you post a ton of pics please.

Anyone up for a run of FAs as only Sunset can do them?

I'd take a PRR ABBA set. 

Frank McCabe posted:

Here are some photos of the Rockford O Scalers Pennsylvania Brunswick Green 5 stripe PA A/B set.  Beautiful!

Thanks Frank! The Brunswick Green with 5 Gold stripes is a spectacular paint scheme and these Sunset/GGD pieces show it. I think the Tuscan version loses much of the elegance shown here as the Gold no longer "pops" against the paint.

Frank,

As Scott says the lights are easily adjustable using QSI CV Manager.  That's the first thing I do when getting a new Sunset engine.  And yes, the backup light was on in forward and reverse and I easily fixed that too.  If you haven't used CV Mgr , it's free.  Just download it and spend some time coming up the learning curve and then it's very user friendly.  I have found it to save me lots of time in the long run while adjusting all sorts of attributes in Sunset 2 rail DCC engines: lighting, sound, motor control, addressing etc.  And if you mess up just do a reset and it's back to factory settings.

FYI the decoder has four states 1) forward, 2) neutral from forward, 3 ) reverse, 4)  neutral from reverse.  The lights can be set for different effects in each state -- bright or dim or off.  And the intensity can be varied from full on bright as shipped to very low.  Each light can be separately controlled except the obvious pairs like class lights, number boards and markers.  For the reasons you stated about the B unit I turned the lights off in all 4 states. 

 Hope this helps.

Rule292 posted:

aterry11 posted:

   Anyone purchase the PRR version ?   Would you post a ton of pics please.

Anyone up for a run of FAs as only Sunset can do them?

I'd take a PRR ABBA set. 

Which Fa's? Fa-1 or Fa-2? I would take the Demo Fa-2 set for sure! 

For the PRR version- the Fa-1 would do as there are too many Fa-2's around.

  With every  photo posted I keep kicking myself in the arse, I swore I wouldn't sit on the fence but I did.  Of course 3 months off last year rehabbing a knee dents the pocketbook.  I could of hocked a kid or two I suppose.  I really wanted the RG Bumblebee paint though,.. so many more modeling possibilities than the aspen or four stripe.

  Can you imagine working on the real thing.  Might as well stand outside with all the open screens.

aterry11 posted:

  With every  photo posted I keep kicking myself in the arse, I swore I wouldn't sit on the fence but I did.  Of course 3 months off last year rehabbing a knee dents the pocketbook.  I could of hocked a kid or two I suppose.  I really wanted the RG Bumblebee paint though,.. so many more modeling possibilities than the aspen or four stripe.

  Can you imagine working on the real thing.  Might as well stand outside with all the open screens.

Bumblebee.... you and me both my friend. I just don't get people lol

FA-1 Erie or Erie Lackawanna with transition paint scheme .I have the EL Alco PA’s they are awesome

Here are our other PAs.  Warbonnets for John, Blue Bird for Frank!

Those PAs are sweet. I have 2 sets and they are beautiful. I’m so glad I bought them.

What roads did you get, MATT?

FRank, I got the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific. My dad has a set of builders plates off of an ex T&NO Alco so I needed to put a set in the collection. And of course everybody is a sucker for a red head hence the war bonnet.

Nice!  I also had a set of Southern Pacifics on order but cancelled them some time ago as I was getting too many of the darned things!

Speaking of Alco FAs, the Rockford O Scalers have a set of Western Maryland’s by Overland on the layout.  (We don’t count our Weaver B&O set!).  But we could also go for some from Sunset 3rd Rail if Scott decided to do them!

Great looking train Matt.  

Frank, thanks for sharing as well.. All 3 schemes you guys got are awesome!

Would anyone have pics of the orange Demonstrators?

Thanks for posting the video, Matt -- all units powered and with sound adds realism.

And I tip my hat again, to Scott Mann, for offering all of the road names with different detailing for each, all at the same price.  There really are a lot of detail differences and nobody hears Scott complaining.

It would be nice to see some more photos.  Has anyone posted Erie, NYC, or Missouri Pacific photos yet?

Tom, there are some MoPac Sunset PA photos here:

http://www.modeltrainjournal.c...php?f=10&t=17534

Here are photos of paint schemes from the items still in stock on the 3rd Rail web site.

Thanks Tom. Took a lot of effort to fanagle that set. I got blessed with the opportunity to buy an articulated add on set and 2 extra coaches. I jumped all over it. I got them the day before he show so I didn’t have a chance to get them ready. 

EMD posted:

Would anyone have pics of the orange Demonstrators?

They are on the demonstrator thread. Do  a search on this forum.

It would be great if 3rd rail can recreate the "Power to America" train with 9 streamlined budd coaches ( that went to RI after the tour) plus a combo car bringing up the markers.

Probably cost about 2800 + for all the cars. Question is would you pay that for a set, it would take

20 sets so if you are serious and front the bill for the one you want it would cost you 56K. Then you can

sell the remainder in 3-4 years.

Several people have done this to get what they want, and Scott doesn't think it's a good business decision. He is a Businessman not a train person.

This is just rule of thought and Opinion.

Bob

20 sets sounds aweful light for a production run

Matt Makens posted:

20 sets sounds aweful light for a production run

I think Bob left a zero off by accident.  2000 cars is pretty normal.

No, his math checks out. Maybe he was thinking 20 sets for a paint scheme 

Yes my posting was based on a single main scheme of 20 models to get a special run.

56K to get your train, and you become a dealer for all the rest.

Bob

Yes but that’s not enough cars for a full production run. That number is enough to get a locomotive paint scheme made in an already scheduled production run but not enough to get them built

EMD posted:

Would anyone have pics of the orange Demonstrators?

They are not ALCO PA demonstrators per se, they powered this GE trainset. Would be nice if Scott got enough orders to produce the set.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CAwy4pgLpg How difficult is it to remove the center steps? That area should be silver rather than orange.

Thanks for the photos and the link. fellows.

If anyone would be interested in a 2nd run of PAs please let Scott know.  I've asked him about SP Bloody Nose for a 2nd run. 

So bloody nose were on the list for first run but got dropped

Matt Makens posted:

So bloody nose were on the list for first run but got dropped

I guaranteed the 20 Demostrators. I wasn't prepared to also guarantee 20 SP gray so they were canceled due to insufficient reservations.  The same was true for the DRGW black/yellow.

BobbyD posted:

EMD posted:

Would anyone have pics of the orange Demonstrators?

They are not ALCO PA demonstrators per se, they powered this GE trainset. Would be nice if Scott got enough orders to produce the set.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CAwy4pgLpg How difficult is it to remove the center steps? That area should be silver rather than orange.

The center steps are silver.  All it takes to produce the set is reservations.  Being as how the cars are all the same,  I think they are modified ACF coaches, plus the car on the end it might possible to do a smaller run tagged onto another train.   

I would hope Scott does do a 2nd run with some of these that didn't make the first cut. I have the Lionel black and yellow D&RG and it's a real handsome scheme. These new 3Rd Rail models are so nice that all the prototypes should eventually be represented. I'd like to have the GM&Os someday...

yes scott. please offer a second run

I might be in on a bloody nose set.

2nd run

I could go for another NKP A unit (I should have bought two when I had the chance!) and some GM&O if they should be offered in a 2nd run.

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

2nd run

 

I’m in Santiago 

Alco PAs on the Broadway Limited!

Nice Erik! Love Brain Hughes!

Billy C

Erik C Lindgren posted:

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

2nd run

 

I’m in Santiago 

I'm in as well!

  Man Erik, I keep meaning to comment on those elevated curves in your curve shots,  But that overhead shot with the cars coming out the curve and losing their cant is forking unbelievable.    Is this layout open to the public? and where?

I will be working the Dead tour this summer and 2 Days in Boulder at Folsoms field might give me time to look  if all is going well on the show. Would love to see this in person.

  Shani will get my money if the Bumble Bee gets produced on a second go round. 

Wow, Erik!  Even the bus moves.  But those PAs do not look like Sunset.  My guess is Key.

We installed San Juan couplers on our PAs and they are now close coupled and operate great.

We also like the Alco prime mover sound decoder in these units.  It sounds great.

No Bob, those are the 3rd Rail Alcos like it says in the title

Mike DeBerg posted:

Erik C Lindgren posted:

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

2nd run

 

I’m in Santiago 

I'm in as well!

The way to do this is to email Scott and say "If you make a 2nd run of PAs in DRGW black/yellow I will reserve an ABA set".  The same is true for SP Gray/red or any other livery, whether done in the first run or not.  The numbers of PAs threshold is lower for a 2nd run as all the tooling is done but a livery will still require 20 units to be a go.

bob2 posted:

Wow, Erik!  Even the bus moves.  But those PAs do not look like Sunset.  My guess is Key.

Erik says they are Sunset.  And the pilot plow is different on the Key version.

The Rockford O Scalers like unusual passenger trains and, thanks to the new Sunset 3rd Rail Alco PAs, we now have an accurate model of Nickel Plate Road Train # 9 (Cleveland to St. Louis)!

Video of Nickel Plate Road Train # 9 on the Rockford O Scalers layout.

I sure I'm happy that the Rockford O scalers started posting on the forum, they have provided excellent and positive content. Thank you, guys! 

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

I sure I'm happy that the Rockford O scalers started posting on the forum, they have provided excellent and positive content. Thank you, guys! 

Indeedy Santiago the “positive” is two thumbs yup from me. 

Frank McCabe posted:

Video of Nickel Plate Road Train # 9 on the Rockford O Scalers layout.

Frank;

Beautiful train on a spectacular layout. Thanks for posting. I have always thought passenger trains should have matching cars... you are making me reconsider my opinion!!!

Thanks Eric  and Santiago for your comments.  We appreciate being able to post photos and videos on this excellent forum.

Hi Paul:  yes, we like all kinds of passenger trains and have some with all matching consists.  However, we also like trains with variety in their consists including secondary runs like NKP # 9 and of course mail trains.  John Handlogten, of the Rockford O Scalers has been anxiously waiting for his Santa Fe PAs so he can run “ The Fast Mail”.  A video of this train is shown below (note: more cars will be added shortly.)

Frank, nice video. What a great looking layout.  I wish I had stopped in to see the layout after the March Meet but I was in such a fowl mood the whole week I decided to skip it. 

Well, Matt you are welcome anytime!

What it really boils down to is thanks Scott for a very very nice product

Agreed!

Thanks Erik and Santiago on the layout compliments.  Santiago, just yesterday I was running the California Zephyr and decided I better do some more of the upgrades to F3's that you described.  Erik and the Colorado O Scale Models are doing some of the best work I have ever seen.  Thanks to both of you, you have both given the ROS group a lot of inspiration!  And of course a thank you to Scott Mann and 3rd Rail for doing a great job on the PA's.  Looking forward to the E6's.

After seeing these handsome Santa Fe's with the stainless panels (I have the D&H) I may be tempted to attempt some light weathering on my (dull) Lionel models...

Frank,  do you guys not run with sound on?

Yes, all of the PA locomotives have their sound turned on in both DC and DCC, however, we have turned the volume down to about half and perhaps the camera isn’t picking up the locomotive sound very well or it’s sound is being drowned out by the noise of a the train itself.

C.Sam,

The ROS group typically runs with the sound set fairly low  and we do have plenty of engines without sound.  With four trains running, the sound is more than loud enough but on the videos we should probably raise the volume a bit...

c.sam posted:

After seeing these handsome Santa Fe's with the stainless panels (I have the D&H) I may be tempted to attempt some light weathering on my (dull) Lionel models...

Frank,  do you guys not run with sound on?

It's 2 rail scale sound, Sam!

Apples55 posted:

Frank McCabe posted:

Video of Nickel Plate Road Train # 9 on the Rockford O Scalers layout.

Frank;

Beautiful train on a spectacular layout. Thanks for posting. I have always thought passenger trains should have matching cars... you are making me reconsider my opinion!!!

There are many interesting passenger consists due to jointly operated trains or cars forwarded on passenger trains. 

On the Green Frog Productions "Nickel Plate and the AC&Y" video you will see the NKP 'Westerner' (trains 7 and 8) powered by "bluebird" PAs with a mixed consist of cars as it was operated jointly by the NKP and the Lackawanna.    And it's a mix of heavyweights and streamliners.  

Neat stuff and a shameless plug for one of the best postwar steam (and diesel) videos.

Bigger plug for a great looking railroad.   Will put on our agenda for next year's Chicago meet. 

Jefferson photo 

Very cool photo!

Frank McCabe posted:

Thanks Eric  and Santiago for your comments.  We appreciate being able to post photos and videos on this excellent forum.

Hi Paul:  yes, we like all kinds of passenger trains and have some with all matching consists.  However, we also like trains with variety in their consists including secondary runs like NKP # 9 and of course mail trains.  John Handlogten, of the Rockford O Scalers has been anxiously waiting for his Santa Fe PAs so he can run “ The Fast Mail”.  A video of this train is shown below (note: more cars will be added shortly.)

Your welcome Frank, hey that awesome Fast Mail is getting closer to Chicago! Dropped a few cars in KC she’s smokin hot!! 

1 day earlier in Kansas 

Hey Eric!

That’s a sweet train!  I wish John had picked up a second PA unit but we will have to make do with our current PA/PB lashup. He intends to add more cars to his Fast Mail soon, although, unfortunately, we don’t have that cool Shadowlined RPO like you do!

Frank