Witz, I'll buy your cnw cars if you feel like they need a new home
The E6 demo unit, IIRC, was displayed at the NY world's fair and later sold to Seaboard Air Line and was numbered 3014 and repainted. The unit, while on display, had clear panels on parts of the side to display the interior. I don't have a photo but hope this post will help find one.
Since I have just announced these, I can make changes. I thought 3 Railers like Dummy Bs, because the A units have enough pulling power with traction rubber tires etc. And the Bs don't have exterior lights to control, so the electronics are only for running the motor. I have no problem offering the Bs as powered. I would have thought it would make AB sets more afforable in 3 Rail. Now in 2 Rail, they need the traction of a B unit.
To be Clear:
E7s, B Units were powered, but tethered to A Units. Some customers were not happy with the tether. Not all As got the plug installed. A little messy production. No electronics in the 3 Rail E7 Bs.
FT, F7, FP7, SD79 all units were powered, as these smaller 3 Rail engines had less weight and less traction.
FL9: Dummies were not popular, got many left in 2 Rail. Arggg.
E8s, Bs are dummy in 3 Rail. Heavy As can pull so no need to power the Bs in 3 Rail.
ALCO PA, a bit smaller engine, so our thinking was make them powered in this run.
E6s, big, heavy A-Units, no need for powered Bs?
Your thoughts, oh mighty customers.....
Scott
Scott,
If it's an engine, give it to me powered. I personally don't like un-powered units.
I amend my first response to be in for some Santa Fe units but im getting a set in 2 rail as that's my eventual ending point any how. I would like a set of C&NW units but alas no train to pull behind them puts me in a spot
Matt Makens posted:I would like a set of C&NW units but alas no train to pull behind them puts me in a spot
Unfortunately, in this BTO world, when and if a proper C&NW train comes along, will it be too late to obtain the proper motive power?
Purplepa,
was that the white unit that stuck out of the GM building at the world's Fair with chrome GM on the nose? If so WOW! I'm in!
Right now I am looking at a color pic of GM#1939 Wich was an E4 A-B set. From the book, "Diesel Demonstrators" however in the caption below the pic on PG#223 it says, "After the first year of the Fair ended(1939) the E4 was removed, sent back to EMC and rebuilt to E6 specifications, returning the following year renumbered 1940 and bearing a markedly different paint scheme." Hence my question as to what the paint scheme is on an E6!
sdmann posted:Since I have just announced these, I can make changes.....
...Your thoughts, oh mighty customers.....
Scott
I've ordered the 3R PA/PB and like the fact that the B is powered.
But I'm ordering the E6 as AA pair. Will there be any issues running an AA pair?
Big wish:
Perhaps the possibility of an optional closed door pilot.
I too am in for a pair of Amtrak SDP40F'S! And possibly an FP45 test unit too!
Scott,
My new engine buying will be limited in the future now that I did an early retirement (best decision EVER!!). However, I'm going to give you my 2-cents anyway.
All my diesels are powered, including all the B units. Most of my MU cab units are AB, with two ABA consists. After running my ABAs, I agree with you that two powered units is enough to pull most trains, although I'm not sure about my passenger train with 12 of your cars and several head in cars up a 2.5% grade. That train will stay three powered units.
The issue I have is the lack of sound in the powered (or non-powered) B units. This is also why I don't buy MTH ABA sets that have two units without sound. In some of my B units I have added a sound card, in others I ran wires for a speaker in it from the A.
I personally can live without power in the B unit as long as the B unit is powered in an AB consist. For ABA consists I want sound in the B unit. The issue is having this sound coordinated with the As. Not sure how you would do that without the command board and motor driver, and if you do that you might as well add the motors.
So, reviewing what I just typed my recommendation is to just build powered B units. I had no interest in your E7s but may get your PAs if the B unit has sound.
Awesome announcement... but yes please give us powered B u it's in 3R. If it's an engine... it should have a motor in it. 
How bout these?
Attachments
Images (2)
Scott,
To clarify, if the E6 3R B unit were powered would it have a tether to the A unit?
How many GGD passenger cars could a single powered A pull up a 3% Grade?
Will the lead A unit have a closed coupler door (no exposed coupler?)
Will it have grab rails on the front end...just kidding...what....too soon?
Thanks for using this forum to communicate with your customers.
Harimann cars like a dozen, El Capitan cars like 3
Powered B units for 3 Rail. Just like the F7s...powered Bs with sound and no tether.
Thats has been the biggest complaint for Lionel E unit sets, 1 pwrd, 1 dmmy. Especially with heavy 21" cars, 2 powered units are better than one, and will make those traction tires last longer.
Also for the benefit of the group:
What are the minimums? O54?
645 posted:If 3rd Rail's goal is to do all the E-units .....
Ah, but if only that were true!.....
Unfortunately I've not been given any hope for the E-1's (ATSF) and EA's (B&O/Alton), the iconic forerunners of the E-family, due to their singular road-specific heritage and very limited prototype numbers, coupled with (as I understand it) a minimal, aging demand for these roads/engines.
The E-6 and E-1/EA bodies were, sorry to say, different enough to separate new tooling for an accurate model, I should think. Nose contours, windows, roof features, etc., etc., blah, blah......it would, probably, be hard to recoup the investment.
And, I doubt there are enough fanciers of fantasy paint schemes on an E-1/EA body to help that matter.
OTOH!......, it is well-known that EMC (EMD) designers (e.g., Leland Knickerbocker...father of the infamous Warbonnet) executed/submitted more than a single paint scheme for new customers of E-family engines. Wouldn't it be fun to dig through various historical archives to find these renderings and have Scott do several 'What-If' models....with the archival and advertising help/encouragement of willing historical/modeling groups? Well, I think so anyway.
(sigh)......so close.
And, yet.......
KD
Nice ..
now what to order?
Yup, that's why I didn't bite on the Lionel E units. There is no opportunity for more power. You pretty much get one loco for $900. The three Rail guys that buy these I'm sure want powered everything. I'd rather have too many motors than not enough and if I use em on my El cap, which I prolly would more power is a necessity
Yes we need powered B units. Otherwise no need to buy since I have the Lionel E units which has on dummy A unit. And also need the closed smooth pilot for at least the lead A unit.
