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Kaustin posted:

Hello...I have only MTH Trains but just saw a BIG BOY that was a Sunset 3rd rail...first time seeing one...would love to hear opinions on the Sunset brand before considering one.

As said above, 3rd Rail are far ahead of Lionel, MTH and even Atlas in the prototypical detail stakes. Their brass models (mostly steamers) are a little fragile and I have had a few cosmetic repairs to do. On the couple of occasions I have had operating issues, Scott Mann has always stepped up to back his product. 

I don't buy the idea that they are much more expensive than higher end Lionel or other 3-rail locos. Over time the price gap between them and Lionel's prices (street, not MSRP) has narrowed. It depends what you really want in a model - great detail or play value. 3rd Rail have also made certain models that the other manufacturers have not and probably never will. A couple of cases in point are the Jawn Henry steam turbine and a prototypical GM Train of Tomorrow (not the mocked-up version MTH has recently issued). 

I have the 3rd Rail Big Boy you mention. It's a beautiful model but has standard TMCC features, including sound and smoke. Years after I got it, I got a VL Big Boy, which has Legacy sound that TMCC can't match. I run that one far more than the other these days but I have kept them both. 

I believe most of the Diesels are plastic. Most all the steam engines are brass. One, the NYC Mercury, is diecast. As with every companies engines, electronics changed over the years from conventional only, to TAS TMCC w/o Cruise, to TAS TMCC with Cruise and now Electric RR with Cruise. The last are the best runners.

Builders also changed. Some of the models built roughly 2000-2010 were of questional build quality. Parts would arrive unattached or came off easily even with careful handling. The ones made since around 2010 seem to have good build quality and run the best. 

Its important when considering an older model to know when it was built and what it has for electronics. Its also helpful if you have some knowledge of brass construction and how to work with it.

Pete

Last edited by Norton

My knowledge of 3rd Rail engines goes back to about 2004, when I came across the first steamers I got from them. I have only acquired one used 3rd Rail engine, it is conventional only and has QSI sound. It's ended up as a shelf queen but not because it won't run; it's great to look at but doesn't hold a candle to later command control engines in terms of play value. 

But I have certainly avoided much older stuff because I have heard about cosmetic/operational issues. You can always research what year a used model was produced and what features it has. 

Pre-2010 3rd Rail did produce some fine steamers. I have an SP AM-2 4-6-6-2 cab forward that is the finest detail loco I've got. 

Hancock52 posted:

I have the 3rd Rail Big Boy you mention. It's a beautiful model but has standard TMCC features, including sound and smoke. Years after I got it, I got a VL Big Boy, which has Legacy sound that TMCC can't match. I run that one far more than the other these days but I have kept them both. 

Norton posted:

Builders also changed. Some of the models built roughly 2000-2010 were of questional build quality.. 

I don't know what years things were built, but … I owned 3rd Rail's Y6b. Lionel's Legacy model was superior in sound, but more importantly also in running performance. Much so. The detailing was similar. Maybe 3rd Rail's details were more "correct?" I don't know. I sold the 3rd Rail to keep the Lionel.

Good luck.

Not to overload this thread but I have a few production sample photos of the SP AM-2 and the Jawn Henry.

The cab forward has the best executed detail of any model of an SP engine I have ever seen. Note in particular the tender detail in the second photo:

spam2aspam2-tender

The Jawn Henry is a brute. Mine came with the auxiliary water tender but the main tender defies adequate description as a piece of O scale modeling:

te1aMD-21-11MD-21-14

JawnHenry

Attachments

Images (6)
  • spam2a
  • spam2-tender
  • te1a
  • MD-21-11
  • MD-21-14
  • JawnHenry

I have three Sunset steam engines, the EA1 on order.  Yes, the SP cab forward is the most detailed engine I own, and, yes, you need be careful with handling.  But, they are very well made and to show how well...  My grandson pulled the SP cab forward off the layout and it went to the floor!!  But, I contact Scott, sent it back for repairs, and still running to this day.  That occurred back in 2002 and the most expense was with shipping.  Always keep the shipping boxes and boards, very useful for storage (long term) and packing for moving, etc.  Definitely the finest made, and not any more expensive than many from other manufacturers. As for running, I ran all three on the North Central O Gaugers modular layout at the Mundelein Library when in Chicago area, always drew a lot of compliments and comments.  Now they work the rails of my layout in Oklahoma.  Have upgraded my older Sunset engines with ERR TMCC and RS.

Jesse   TCA

Attachments

Images (3)
  • Sunset-3rd Rail  Santa Fe 4-8-4 Northern and tender, ATSF 37
  • Sunset-3rd Rail G.N. S-2 4-8-4 no.2558 - green boiler
  • Sunset-3rd Rail S.P. AC-4 Cab Forward 4-8-8-2 no.4103
Last edited by texastrain
Norton posted:

I believe most of the Diesels are plastic. Most all the steam engines are brass. One, the NYC Mercury, is diecast. As with every companies engines, electronics changed over the years from conventional only, to TAS TMCC w/o Cruise, to TAS TMCC with Cruise and now Electric RR with Cruise. The last are the best runners.

Builders also changed. Some of the models built roughly 2000-2010 were of questional build quality. Parts would arrive unattached or came off easily even with careful handling. The ones made since around 2010 seem to have good build quality and run the best. 

Its important when considering an older model to know when it was built and what it has for electronics. Its also helpful if you have some knowledge of brass construction and how to work with it.

Pete

Yes. I have managed to get several over the years, but was never overly impressed with the quality. I imagine that the later ones are better, but I quit buying them for various reasons - partly because my "buying" has shrunk by orders of magnitude. And, Lionel/MTH products were more predictable, and they kept offering more and more variety. I know of a couple of horror stories on some of the early 3rd Rail stuff. My NYC T-Motor of some years back was pretty nice, though. 3rd Rail paint jobs always look a bit better than anybody else's, for some reason (I know mainly the steam locos).

There is one articulated that they offered years ago that I would like to have. Seldom see it offered. No one else has offered it - not unusual. 

I believe that the typical low resale values reflect the common - but not universal - issues. I am sure that the good stories about them are just as true as my less pleasing experiences.

(It also seems that the word "quality" has different meanings for different people. Mine is of the utilitarian/construction/dependability variety.)

I have five 3rdrail steam engines.  The older ones I’d say pre 2013 give or take a few years can be problematic but can be made to run better than anything else offered if you know what to look for and like modifying and upgrading engines.  There belt drive is the smoothest thing out there.

issues to look for in 3rdrail steamers

1. power pickup, two pickup rollers is not enough, ad one to the tender trucks

2. outside rail electrical connections.  Also a issue.  Make sure the front and rear trucks have good electrical connection from the wheels to the frame.  Remove paint under and mounting screws and around wheel axles.  Also use a good conductive oil.

3, for those who have TAS EOB engines with eight pin tethers.  A bad set up, as if the tach reader looses ground with the mother board the reader will let the magic smoke out and may take the EOB mother board out with it.  Ad a second tether to ground the tach reader to the EOB mother board.

3.  Brass parts can be broken off easily but being brass can be soldered back on and repainted.

checkout my YouTube channel for my 3rdrail engines in action.

Last edited by superwarp1

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