Sunset-3rd Rail EMD E5 & E6 Diesel Electric Locomotive Models Run 2

Well executed 👍🙂👍🙂👍🙂😜😜😜 MP Jenks blue !!!

Well done Scott !!!!!

I picked up my E5b yesterday from my local UPS drop off location.  I did not have time to take it out of the box, but excited to have the extra HP to pull my now 10 car heavyweight CBQ train.

Got shipping notice (got one about NYC 20th Century run #2 too) last week . . . ETA Friday.  E6A Seaboard Citrus scheme and E6A demo inbound for me (the prototype E6A demo was eventually bought and renumbered by SAL) to make a legit A-A pair.

A friend just mailed me and said that he had just received his MILW EP electric.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I picked up my E5b yesterday from my local UPS drop off location.  I did not have time to take it out of the box, but excited to have the extra HP to pull my now 10 car heavyweight CBQ train.

Sounds like a great train! What cars are you running?

@TrainBub posted:

Well executed 👍🙂👍🙂👍🙂😜😜😜 MP Jenks blue !!!

Well done Scott !!!!!

That is a gorgeous model.

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Sounds like a great train! What cars are you running?

Hey Santiago.  The train will be mostly GGD cars.  Four coaches, the RPO, the diner, a Pullman pool 12-2 sleeper, and the observation with the Roman style font.  I also picked up the Atlas (MTH) special run silver RPO and the baggage car from Berwyn's to go with this set.  Not really based on a prototype train,  but I'll be pleased.  I also have a few coaches GGD coaches and baggage car that need a run through the paint shop if I can ever find my Zephyr era decals that I purchased for them a few years back.

Pulled the B unit out of the box tonight.  Nicely done as I anticipated.

Super! I’m expecting my late era E5A. Gotta run those short locals!

@TrainBub posted:

MP Jenks blue !!!

Well done Scott !!!!!

Very nice!

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Super! I’m expecting my late era E5A. Gotta run those short locals!

I'd love to see your professional photos when you recieve it!

Quick snap of my SAL #3016 right out of the box.  This one is 3 rail and came with the closed pilot (made of substantial metal -- not plastic) already mounted.  The colors and graphics are great!  Looks like it's pulling into Tampa's Union Station about 83 years ago.  :-)  WTG 3rd Rail team!

@BlueFeather posted:

Quick snap of my SAL #3016 right out of the box.  This one is 3 rail and came with the closed pilot (made of substantial metal -- not plastic) already mounted.  The colors and graphics are great!  Looks like it's pulling into Tampa's Union Station about 83 years ago.  :-)  WTG 3rd Rail team!

Beautiful and…..Oooo that pilot is Really Nice !!!!  We all appreciate those nice extras !!!! 👍👍👍👍

Well my MP Jenks “B” arrived a day later. Now for a few more pix.

MP E6 in original Eagle and later Jenks Paint. Mission Accomplished !!!!!!!!!      THANKS Scott !!!!!!!! 👍👍👍

Cheers !!!!! 😜

Another great run by the GGD/3rd Rail team! Some quick shots of a City of LA and City of SF.

Beautiful stuff guys 😊❤️

Anybody get the late era CB&Q E5 yet?

E6 Demonstrator Version.

My photo, taken 02/03/2023.

It’s always good to see railroaders modeling southern roads. You don’t see that too often,

👍❤️👍

Yesterday, I picked up my 3rd Rail Run 2 CB&Q E5 models at Chicagoland Hobbies.

I am now in CB&Q E5 Silver Heaven !!!

I ordered 3 units and had Chicagoland Hobbies install @gunrunnerjohn 's YLB battery replacement capacitors into each unit.

Here are photos of early Black Stripe version CB&Q #9911A Silver Pilot.

The prototype 1/1 scale Silver Pilot is the only survivor of the 11 E5A units.  It is operates in the summer at IRM (Illinois Railway Museum) in Union IL.  It is a Phase 1 version E5A, while 3rd Rail's tooling is for the later Phase 2 version E5A.  I am fine with any minor discrepancies between the Phase 1 & 2 versions.  Although not identical twins, the Phase 1 & 2 versions were very similar fraternal twins.   

Above is the side of Silver Pilot with the name plaque.

The above photo shows the black-striped nose with the lower headlight & upper Mars light.  Consistent with the early "as delivered" appearance, there are no nose grab irons and no E5 model plates & numbers on the cab sides.  The GM EMC-EMD builders plates are on the sides of the nose.  The cab includes both engineer & fireman figures.   

I plan to add decals of the #9911A & E5 plates to the cab sides on this model.

The above photo shows more of the side of the model.  3rd Rail has included the "as delivered" truck skirts, which are removable.  On the prototype 1/1 scale E5s, the CB&Q removed them "for ease of maintenance" by 1950.  Accordingly, the prototype Silver Pilot at IRM no longer has its truck skirts.

The above photo shows Harry @Harry's Trains & Tim @TRAINMANTIM test running the Silver Pilot at Chicagoland Hobbies.  Harry & Tim are great & helpful guys !!!

I love this model of Silver PILOT !!!   

THANK YOU to Chicagoland Hobbies team and to Scott & Shoni Mann & their 3rd Rail team !!!

CB&Q Bill

Here are photos of 3rd Rail CB&Q E5B Run 2 #9911B Silver Mate.

Silver Mate was intended to run with E5A Silver Pilot.  These names were inspired by the river boat Pilots & crew Mates on the Mississippi River steam paddle boats that plied the river along side the CB&Q's Twin Cities Zephyr tracks on the Wisconsin shore line where "Natures Smiles for 300 Miles".     

Only 5 prototype 1/1 scale E5B units were produced by GM EMC-EMD. Unfortunately, they were all scrapped, so non of them are preserved.   

The first photo is a close up of Silver Mate's name plate. 

The second photo shows one end & the side, with Harry standing behind it. 

The 3rd photo shows the other end & the side, with Tim standing behind it. 

Consistent with the early "as delivered" appearance of the prototype 1/1 scale Silver Mate, 3rd Rail's Run 2 E5B model includes neither the E5 model plate nor the #9911B numbers on its sides.  However, it does include the removable truck skirts.

I plan to add my own #9911B numbers & E5 plates on the sides.

I love this model.  Again, THANK YOU to Chicagoland Hobbies & 3rd Rail teams !!!   

Here are photos of 3rd Rail's post 1958 Red Stripe E5A #9914B with no Silver name.

When delivered to CB&Q by GM-EMC-EMD, #9914B had black nose stripes, truck skirts, and the name Silver Swift.  In 1958, the CB&Q modernized its image with repainting of its GP & SD freight diesel locomotive livery into the Chinese red & gray "Redbird" scheme.  The Zephyr E units livery was updated with red nose & vent stripes to replace the "as delivered" black nose & vent stripes.   

Above is a right side view of 3rd Rail's #9914B.  Notice the "prototypical for post 1958" red nose stripes, nose grab irons,  and #9914B numbers and E5 plate on the cab sides.

Although not prototypical for 1958, this 3rd Rail model also includes the removable truck skirts !!!  I love having these track skirts !!!

The above view shows the nose of 3rd Rail's #9914B model.  The red stripes and grab irons are clearly visible on the nose and the #9914B numbers, builder plates, & E5 model plates on the cab sides.  The removable truck skirts are also visible.

Both views also show the blank name plates of the sides below the first rectangular side window.  CB&Q "removed" the Silver names from the prototype locomotives simply by removal of the name plates, turning them around to the blank side, and then reattaching the plates with the blank side visible.  IRM turned the name plates around to display the Silver Pilot name on #9911A for several years while still in red stripes and before the black stripes were restored.

In 2019 after I received my Run 1 E5A Silver Carrier & Run 1 E5B Silver Power, Scott Mann had sent to me name plates for E5A Silver Speed.  I plan to apply these Silver Speed names to the sides of my red striped E5A #9914B and to also change its number to #9910A (to correspond to Silver Speed's prototypical cab number).  Then I will have another matched set of E5A Silver Speed #9910A with E5B Silver Power #9910B !!!

Thanks again to Chicagoland Hobbies & 3rd Rail teams for these great CB&Q E5 A&B models !!!

CB&Q Bill     

Here are photos of Harry & owner Greg at Chicagoland Hobbies during the installation of @gunrunnerjohn 's YLB battery replacement capacitors into my 3rd Rail E5 models.

Greg & Harry noticed that the 3rd Rail model's wiring has thick insulation.  Most of the wires are bundled together such that they gain strength together & are unlikely to be pinched during reattachment of the shell to the frame.

They said that many other brands' models have unbundled wiring with thin insulation that lend themselves to pinching damage during reattachment of shell & frame.     

Big score for 3rd Rail !!!

Above is a view of the motor & drive belt of a 3rd Rail E5 model.

Harry & Greg explained to me that the single motor in each unit powers both trucks per unit via a drive belt & drive shafts.  Cool !!!

THANK YOU to @gunrunnerjohn for making the YLB battery replacement capacitor and to Greg & Harry @Harry's Trains for installing them in my 3rd Rail E5 models !!!

CB&Q Bill

@CBQ_Bill posted:

In 2019 when I received my Run 1 E5A Silver Carrier & Run 1 E5B Silver Power, Scott Mann had sent to me name plates for E5A Silver Speed.  I plan to apply these Silver Speed names to the sides of my red striped E5A #9914B and to also change its number to #9910A (to correspond to Silver Speed's prototypical cab number).  Then i will have another matched set of E5A Silver Speed #9910A with E5B Silver Power #9910B !!!

Thanks again to Chicagoland Hobbies & 3rd Rail teams for these great CB&Q E5 A&B models !!!

CB&Q Bill     

Lucky you!

Finally received my E6 today...bad weather yesterday pushed delivery until today...

Since I have moved to O scale, this is my first NEW engine I have purchased.  Everything else has been used...so this was a big deal for me and probably why I didn't buy more than 1.  I wanted a B unit, but the SAL Classic didn't run a B unit and was not offered by 3rd Rail.  The pictures don't do the color justice.  The hint of green is more pronounced in person than in pictures.  It is definitely a unique color scheme.

Here are a few pictures of the unboxing and going through some of the DCC functions to light the cab and number boards.  Can't wait to get started on my layout now to let this engine stretch her legs some rather than go back and forth on my 9 feet of track on the dining room floor.

Thanks Scott...the wait was definitely worth it!

@roll_the_dice posted:

Finally received my E6 today...bad weather yesterday pushed delivery until today...

Since I have moved to O scale, this is my first NEW engine I have purchased.  Everything else has been used...so this was a big deal for me and probably why I didn't buy more than 1.  I wanted a B unit, but the SAL Classic didn't run a B unit and was not offered by 3rd Rail.  The pictures don't do the color justice.  The hint of green is more pronounced in person than in pictures.  It is definitely a unique color scheme.

Here are a few pictures of the unboxing and going through some of the DCC functions to light the cab and number boards.  Can't wait to get started on my layout now to let this engine stretch her legs some rather than go back and forth on my 9 feet of track on the dining room floor.

Thanks Scott...the wait was definitely worth it!

Looks nice.  Is there an option for a closed pilot included?

Yes, a closed pilot was included which is nice.

Painted isn’t up to the 3R standard on this one but wanted to share anyways.

City of San Fran.

@Purplepapa posted:

Glad to see the factory got the nose numbers straight.  I rejected the sample painted model 3 times for that error

@GG1 4877 posted:

Glad to see the factory got the nose numbers straight.  I rejected the sample painted model 3 times for that error

Look closely, Jonathan.

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Look closely, Jonathan.

I see that now.  Horizontally correct but leaning a bit to the left vertically.  Still way better than there were in the sample.  Looking at prototype photos, those stencils weren't always applied that straight either. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I see that now.  Horizontally correct but leaning a bit to the left vertically.  Still way better than there were in the sample.  Looking at prototype photos, those stencils weren't always applied that straight either.

I didn’t mean about the numbers

FYI,

That E6 is an Overland brass model that I painted back around 1990.

I posted that photo to illustrate Southern railroad modeling ( geographical area) as mentioned earlier in this thread.

Sorry for any confusion. Maybe I should have been a little more specific?

Leon

@Purplepapa posted:

FYI,

That E6 is an Overland brass model that I painted back around 1990.

I posted that photo to illustrate Southern railroad modeling ( geographical area) as mentioned earlier in this thread.

Sorry for any confusion. Maybe I should have been a little more specific?

Leon

And you did a beautiful job, Leon!

Well then I hope to see some of the ACL Black ones that were run to see if they ended up doing the nose decals correctly.  I also get the dunce award for the day.  That's what I get for working and reading the forum at the same time!

@Purplepapa posted:

FYI,

That E6 is an Overland brass model that I painted back around 1990.

… Maybe I should have been a little more specific?

Leon

I thought they looked really dusty for fresh out of the box engines.

Feeling blue? This B unit is great! B Unit Name 1.

@vash44 posted:

Feeling blue? This B unit is great! B Unit Name 1.

Show off your AB pair. 🤔

Jenks A Units

IC number 1. Panama Limited.

@vash44 posted:

Jenks A Units

Wow you Really went All In !!! Bravo. I added an AB pair to go with my run one Eagle paint AB. Welcome to the exclusive “Jenks Blue Club” !!! 👍👍👍 These Jenks units were used on passenger trains but Also mail-express trains. I’ll pop in an E6 Jenks mail- express consist down the road. They can be pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing !!!!!

Cheers !!! 😜

@vash44 posted:

IC number 1. Panama Limited.

4000 and 4004 from this run 2 ?  I’ve a 4000 from run 1. I wanted the run 2 to be in the later repaint in chocolate and orange that are without the yellow stripes.  Didn’t happen so I passed.

City of LA/SF double time!

Now what we need are passenger cars for the city of LA and SF— Scott you listening? Lol

Very wonderful ! 👏👏

@TrainBub posted:

I wanted the run 2 to be in the later repaint in chocolate and orange that are without the yellow stripes.  Didn’t happen so I passed.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear of a Run #3 in the not-so-distant future.  There are more variations among several flags.  Scott obviously listens.  Postings with photos of wish-list variants, and yea/nay responses from Forum members can't hurt.  A polite 'nudge' at meets/shows Scott/3rd Rail is in attendance also can be useful.

And, a total sell-out of Run #2 also helps!!!

OTOH, there are so many great projects on the to-do list already.  Patience is essential.

Then, there's always groveling...a lost art.

Anyone Have photos of the KCS versions?

I just paid for mine today due to a funds issue being out of work.

Would love to see them.

Yes on those paint schemes. An E6 later paint scheme would have been nice. Here is run 1 E6 with a 3rd rail E9 in the later pain scheme. The model on the left is a MTH E6 in the earliest IC paint for City of Miami. I doubt if we will ever see it done again.

Cheers !!! 🙂

If anyone has received a post-1958 “red stripe” version on a CB&Q E5B booster unit, then please post pictures of it.  

Thanks in advance !!!

CB&Q Bill

@dkdkrd posted:

I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear of a Run #3 in the not-so-distant future.  There are more variations among several flags.  Scott obviously listens.  Postings with photos of wish-list variants, and yea/nay responses from Forum members can't hurt.  A polite 'nudge' at meets/shows Scott/3rd Rail is in attendance also can be useful.

And, a total sell-out of Run #2 also helps!!!

OTOH, there are so many great projects on the to-do list already.  Patience is essential.

Then, there's always groveling...a lost art.

Did Scott completely sell out? If so… awesome! & yeah. I would reserve some Seaboard green in a potential Run 3.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Did Scott completely sell out? If so… awesome! & yeah. I would reserve some Seaboard green in a potential Run 3.

According to the website it says standby reservations on all E6's...so potentially a sellout, but if someone doesn't pay their could be some left soonish.  If you want the Seaboard, I would shoot him an email and ask or get on the standby reserve list.  As Scott says--"Sit on the fence and you'll just have sore butt, nothing else."  Cracks me up everytime I read it...

Can someone post some pics of the Southern in Green?  I debated between what I ordered and green...Thanks

@roll_the_dice posted:

According to the website it says standby reservations on all E6's...so potentially a sellout, but if someone doesn't pay their could be some left soonish.  If you want the Seaboard, I would shoot him an email and ask or get on the standby reserve list.  As Scott says--"Sit on the fence and you'll just have sore butt, nothing else."  Cracks me up everytime I read it...

Several of the ones listed on the site are gone according to my email reply from Scott. No Jenks, No UP, etc. If you see something on the list you like put in for it and hope like heck someone backs out of their order.

Southern green from 1st run.

Standby is an option but chances of success are diminishing every day now. Fence sitters will be fence sitters. 🫣    
2nd Run offerings are almost always smaller so it can be said standby chances will probably also be diminished. There will be exceptions.  
There were 3 added models in run 2. I hope they were successful and sold well for Scott as he usually does not add items or change paint schemes. I hope that success shows that different paint schemes can add sales. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to get a MP in Jenks. I would have reserved IC had a later paint been offered (I’ve IC run 1). A later Rock Island paint would have been good too. Would adding these make a (economic) difference with reservations? I don’t know but Scott has results to examine/consider for all future 2nd runs.
I don’t think we will see an E6 offering for a while now. I think We should set our sights on Reruns of E7, E8, Alco Pa, FT.  If you missed out with the E6, set your sights on these for your favorite road. And consider different paints !!!!

Of course all IMHO !!!

Cheers 😜

@Purplepapa posted:

Southern green from 1st run.

Thanks Leon...Beautiful engine! I was guessing you might have 1 or 2.   I should have picked some up...as I am fence sitting on the crescent passenger cars.  Did you reserve those?

Would love to see more steam offerings from 3rd Rail. The C&O Hudson was exceptional…. Aeolus next?

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Would love to see more steam offerings from 3rd Rail. The C&O Hudson was exceptional…. Aeolus next?

I’d love to have the Aeolus !!! Ive suggested to Scott but a steam offering is a tough nut these days according to him. AND would be Very Expensive !!!  We won’t see C&O Hudson pricing if by some miracle it happens.

A few words on our stand-by and shipping processes.

The models come in and are then sorted. All paid orders are shipped, all holds are held. If we haven't been contacted by the customer, nothing is held.

During the shipping process, we call all no-show customers one last time. Usually it's not good news. There's a reason why they didn't contact us and we understand. But how terrible it would be if a customer just forgot, and missed getting his new models. We do everything we can to avoid that. But....

At first we have a good amount of models on the shelf after shipping. Then a week after shipping them out, we start to receive emails about the errors we made, A instead of B, 2 Rail in stead of 3 Rail, and it takes a week  to 10 days to discover the errors and exchange these with customers and put the returned models back on the shelf.   That's why we want to wait at least 2 -3 weeks after we ship models to contact Stand-by customers, so we are not selling someones purchased model by mistake.

Because we are making so many road names in each run, we can't make extras. They become very hard to sell and are very costly. So we ask that you reserve well in advance, and make sure it's a firm reservation. Have the money set asside. Then send in your payment early (A few weeks), so we have your invoice printed, ready to apply a UPS tag and slap on your box once they are sorted. If your preference it to "Wait until they are in...", you run the risk of a shortage hitting your order, a mis shipment affecting your order, a factory box mistake, any number of crazy things happen while we are trying to match invoices to boxes. Not only do we make mistakes, but Mrs. Wong in China, sometimes puts the wrong models in the box, or marks the labels wrong. We don't discover it until we sort and count each and every box. BTW: Mrs. Wong draws all the decals and painting and lettering diagrams, supervises packaging too. She is always multitasking. I never saw her complain, always a smile. But no English either, so communication was difficult. I try to tell these people how much we appreciate them. But if you say it too much, they want more money. Hahaha.

Back to early payments: So, it's best to just play it safe, and send in your payment or payment info a few weeks before the models arrive. We are not collecting interest on your money.  It is a credit balance in your acccount with us. Business accounts have no interest at all. We are fully insured for the container, in case it falls into the drink. 110% cost is the amount of insurance.  It hasn't happened yet, but it does happen. We have plenty of bank credit and if we need to use it, we can refund anyone's order that is lost. That's how I always run my business, in the black. Of course if we lost a project on the water at that stage, we would remake them.

Thanks for listening, and thank you all so much for your enthusiasm and support. We are now working very hard on the GP79 rerun, SD40-2, NYC H-10, Eagle Cars and so on. Have a great year. Keep in touch.  In a week to 10 days we will contact any stand-by customers with what we have that matches their order.

Regards,

Scott Mann

@TrainBub posted:

I’d love to have the Aeolus !!! Ive suggested to Scott but a steam offering is a tough nut these days according to him. AND would be Very Expensive !!!  We won’t see C&O Hudson pricing if by some miracle it happens.

I would love some Golden Gate Depot aluminum Burlington passenger cars! I have an E5 to pull them. The Aeolus would be an incredible offering.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

I would love some Golden Gate Depot aluminum Burlington passenger cars! I have an E5 to pull them. The Aeolus would be an incredible offering.

http://www.3rdrail.com/reservationGGD.htm

Two options to preorder today. May not be a full lineup but we get a starting point.

@sdmann posted:

A few words on our stand-by and shipping processes. . . .

. . . Not only do we make mistakes, but Mrs. Wong in China, sometimes puts the wrong models in the box, or marks the labels wrong. We don't discover it until we sort and count each and every box. . . .

. . . We are not collecting interest on your money.  It is a credit balance in your acccount with us. Business accounts have no interest at all. We are fully insured for the container, in case it falls into the drink. 110% cost is the amount of insurance.  It hasn't happened yet, but it does happen. We have plenty of bank credit and if we need to use it, we can refund anyone's order that is lost. That's how I always run my business, in the black. Of course if we lost a project on the water at that stage, we would remake them. . . .

Regards,

Scott Mann

I have sung this song before, but we are very fortunate to have Scott Mann in business for our hobby.  He listens to his customers, treats them respectfully (even when they are not being respectful to him), and makes the equivalent of a handshake deal that he always honors and never backslides on.  

Thanks, Scott.

I too would buy a CB&Q Aeolus 4-6-4 steam locomotive from 3rd Rail !!!

CB&Q Bill

@BlueFeather posted:

Quick snap of my SAL #3016 right out of the box.  This one is 3 rail and came with the closed pilot (made of substantial metal -- not plastic) already mounted.  The colors and graphics are great!  Looks like it's pulling into Tampa's Union Station about 83 years ago.  :-)  WTG 3rd Rail team!

Great shot, very cool indeed. Now if modern locos had this look!

Anybody get Santa Fe? I would love to see them next to the E1’s.

I must say I am super Disappointed I was expecting as delivered for KCS E6 Like on the website picture.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Anybody get Santa Fe? I would love to see them next to the E1’s.

The E1s are far more accomplished models IMO.

3rd Rail E8m, E6, and E1 all side by side.  I am very pleased with all of them.  Not Key models, but not priced as such either.

I hope E8's are done again.  I would love a Southern Green Crescent.

@GG1 4877 posted:

3rd Rail E8m, E6, and E1 all side by side.  I am very pleased with all of them.  Not Key models, but not priced as such either.

Absolutely Stunning!

@roll_the_dice posted:

I hope E8's are done again.  I would love a Southern Green Crescent.

In my opinion Scott probably could keep re-running E5/6’s, E7, & E8/9’s in rotation & sell out every time. There’s too many good roads to collect & 3rd rail passenger diesels are the absolute best out there.

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

The E1s are far more accomplished models IMO.

I love my E1’s, prettiest diesels I own!

@roll_the_dice posted:

I hope E8's are done again.  I would love a Southern Green Crescent.

A future run of E8/9s is certainly a possibility in the not-too-distant future.  If the factory needs a filler project this would be a good one.  Hard to tell though when an opportunity like that might present itself.  The SD7/9, FT, or FL9s have also been suggested as possible filler projects.

For me personally, I'd like to see NJDOT E8s that never ran in the first run as I grew up watching those run past my house.  I opted instead for Amtrak, PRR, and the ATSF one pictured based on current trains I have.  However, I saw lots of Paducah E8 rebuilds up into my early teens.  I even remember the Crescent E8s running in their Southern paint in commuter service for NJDOT.

@Shawn_Chronister posted:

I must say I am super Disappointed I was expecting as delivered for KCS E6 Like on the website picture.

Shawn,

Apologies.  You can blame me for this.  I saw the porthole version and thought this would be the one that modelers would want.  Scott will of course refund you for the model if you are that dissatisfied. 

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Absolutely Stunning!

Since they are models, we can ignore the "minor" detail that the E8m and the E1 are actually the same locomotive as ATSF traded the E1s in for remanufacturing into E8s.    They all coexist on my railroad.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Shawn,

Apologies.  You can blame me for this.  I saw the porthole version and thought this would be the one that modelers would want.  Scott will of course refund you for the model if you are that dissatisfied.

Well the photo should have changed and people with orders should have been notified.

I was wanting a version like this too, but I wanted the as delivered model more which is what I was expecting.

I know others wanted them too and I discussed this with Scott so not sure how you got to overrule. Was there a poll I missed????

Shawn,

Again, apologies on the E6.  All I can say is that there was a quick turnaround from the factory on this and I made a quick design decision based on the prototype information I could find quickly.  Not making excuses, just saying that sometimes these things happen quickly and there isn’t a lot of time to react.  Sometimes we don’t always get it right.

** I should say that sometimes I don't always get it right.  My mistake, not Scott's.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Shawn,

Again, apologies on the E6.  All I can say is that there was a quick turnaround from the factory on this and I made a quick design decision based on the prototype information I could find quickly.  Not making excuses, just saying that sometimes these things happen quickly and there isn’t a lot of time to react.  Sometimes we don’t always get it right.

** I should say that sometimes I don't always get it right.  My mistake, not Scott's.

Looks the same as the RI E6 and I had sent Scott photos of this unit in Email from KCS books. The quick turnaround is bogus because this was added right when they were announced.
The fact orders were placed based on website photo major issue, it's like buying from Lionel and there creative license.

I wanted changes to SF budds and was told no because we only do as delivered versions.

@roll_the_dice posted:

I hope E8's are done again.  I would love a Southern Green Crescent.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

In my opinion Scott probably could keep re-running E5/6’s, E7, & E8/9’s in rotation & sell out every time. There’s too many good roads to collect & 3rd rail passenger diesels are the absolute best out there.

@GG1 4877 posted:

A future run of E8/9s is certainly a possibility in the not-too-distant future.  If the factory needs a filler project this would be a good one.  Hard to tell though when an opportunity like that might present itself.  The SD7/9, FT, or FL9s have also been suggested as possible filler projects.

For me personally, I'd like to see NJDOT E8s that never ran in the first run as I grew up watching those run past my house.  I opted instead for Amtrak, PRR, and the ATSF one pictured based on current trains I have.  However, I saw lots of Paducah E8 rebuilds up into my early teens.  I even remember the Crescent E8s running in their Southern paint in commuter service for NJDOT.

I would absolutely back-up-the-truck for E8's: CB&Q, Rock Island, GM&O, MoPac, B&O, UP, maybe an E7 Texas Special?  I would be paying those off for a while!  I already asked Scott about it so I won't bother him again.  If you want E7's, E8's, or E9's, please let him know!

@MikeH posted:

I would absolutely back-up-the-truck for E8's: CB&Q, Rock Island, GM&O, MoPac, B&O, UP, maybe an E7 Texas Special?  I would be paying those off for a while!  I already asked Scott about it so I won't bother him again.  If you want E7's, E8's, or E9's, please let him know!

Texas special E7’s with matching GGD cars would be a dream…. But Lionel & K-line beat this train to death so…. Yeah I may be dreaming.

Done to death as postwar replicas?  Lionel has only done them correctly once, am I right?  I'm talking legit E7's not F's or whatever.  It's remarkable how many Texas Special models have been made and very few actual scale E7's.  Did K-Line ever do them?  I know Lionel did the 6-31755 set 15 years ago and it still commands over MSRP on the used market.  So I suspect there are buyers like us out there for real scale models that are faithful to the prototype.

@MikeH posted:

I would absolutely back-up-the-truck for E8's: CB&Q, Rock Island, GM&O, MoPac, B&O, UP, maybe an E7 Texas Special?  I would be paying those off for a while!  I already asked Scott about it so I won't bother him again.  If you want E7's, E8's, or E9's, please let him know!

I asked Scott for a rerun of E8s a few weeks ago...hopefully we can plant the seed!

I asked also— PA’s as well it’s hard for most of us to order more than one per run — even though there are several you might want — given the wide variety of paint schemes and roads that used the E8 it seems to make sense— looking forward to the FA’s as well—would love an RS3 done right with fixed pilots — Scott at both GGD and 3rd rail nothing but good things to say

@20centuryhudson posted:

I asked also— PA’s as well it’s hard for most of us to order more than one per run — even though there are several you might want — given the wide variety of paint schemes and roads that used the E8 it seems to make sense— looking forward to the FA’s as well—would love an RS3 done right with fixed pilots — Scott at both GGD and 3rd rail nothing but good things to say

+1 on PAs.  Anyone with the DRGW Prospector cars on order might want a matching pair.  Same with the Southern E8s in the Crescent paint scheme.

Shawn Chronister,

I replied to your email this morning. My apologies for our paint scheme decisions on the KCS. Yes, the photo on our web site was of another scheme. I have since updated it with a picture of the scheme we produced.

We only made 5 of them for 3 customers including yourself. If you want to return your 2 engines, you are welcome to. We offer a 30 Day money back guarantee for direct purchases, for any reason.  (If you ordered through a Dealer, you need to abide by your Dealer's return policy.) Regards,  Scott Mann

This is why Scott is the best— all my diesels and passenger cars are 3rd rail/ GGD—and will continue to be a customer—steam engines still a Lionel guy tho—

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Texas special E7’s with matching GGD cars would be a dream…. But Lionel & K-line beat this train to death so…. Yeah I may be dreaming.

Nothing wrong with dreaming.  
Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since 3rd Rail did the E7 Texas Specials. They are Really Quite Beautiful !!!!    
The ownership is shown by the forward road emblem.

Top Frisco with closed pilot

Below MKT

3rd Rail E7s anyone ????? 🤔

Cheers !!!! 😜

@TrainBub posted:

Nothing wrong with dreaming.  
Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since 3rd Rail did the E7 Texas Specials. They are Really Quite Beautiful !!!!  

That's what I'm talking about!  Nice.  Those are legit Texas Specials.  Rare as hen's teeth.  Question for folks who have been involved in this hobby for a long time:

Are those Sunset 3rd Rail E7's and the Lionel 6-31755 set the only scale E7 Texas Specials ever produced in O?

Hated to do this deed, but it must be done. Changing the number boards is the difficult task.

@Rob Leese posted:

Hated to do this deed, but it must be done. Changing the number boards is the difficult task.

Why? Curious

@Shawn Chronister

I model the Fort Worth & Denver segment of the CB&Q.

@MikeH posted:

That's what I'm talking about!  Nice.  Those are legit Texas Specials.  Rare as hen's teeth.  Question for folks who have been involved in this hobby for a long time:

Are those Sunset 3rd Rail E7's and the Lionel 6-31755 set the only scale E7 Texas Specials ever produced in O?

I think so. I don't think MTH did them.

I have the full original lionel set and added a more recent Lionel heavyweight coach and full baggage as well as an MTH rpo.

Lionel's second run of the Texas Special wasn't thought out very well....

@Rob Leese posted:

@Shawn Chronister

I model the Fort Worth & Denver segment of the CB&Q.

ok I get that but not sure why you need to change the number everything I find online states this unit number was for that segment.

@Rob Leese

Your TZ FW&D E5 shell looks FANTASTIC !!! 

What road number did your model start out as ?  Did this start out as a 3rd Rail Run 2 E5 Red Stipe model ?

Did you make your own decals ?  If yes, from enlargement of MicroScale HO decals or from use of software (e.g., RailFonts) ?

Did you add  the SILVER CHIEF name to the side yourself ?  (FW&D's E5A Silver Chief & E5B Silver Warrior had GREAT Silver Names that evoke the imagery of the Old West history !!!).

How did you remove the previous factory-applied road numbers from the cab sides ?   Was the original factory silver paint undamaged or did you have to touch it up ?

How did you change the illuminated number boards from the factory-applied numbers to your custom 9980A ?  What materials did you use ?

Do you also have the matching "red stripe era" E5B for upgrade to Silver Warrior #9980B ?

Please share the details of your steps, materials< & any photos of your upgrades ?

I plan to Revise 3 of my 5 E5 models:

For my Run 1 Black Stripe E5A #9915A Silver Carrier, I plan to upgrade it to #9909A Silver Bullet with updated illuminated number boards,  cab-side numbers, E5 plates, loco name plates, & EMD-EMC builder plates. 

For my Run 1 "black stripe era" E5B Silver Power, I plan to upgrade it with painted 9910B numbers, E5 plates, & EMC-EMD builder plates. 

For my Run 2 Red Stripe E5A #9914B, I plan to upgrade it to #9910A Silver Speed with new illuminated number boards, painted cab-side numbers, & loco name plate. 

Rob, you inspire me to tackle these upgrades !!!

CB&Q Bill

@Shawn Chronister

I do not know what the specific KCS E6 livery is that you wanted & that 3rd Rail had advertised in their original ad.

Is there any chance that you can modify it yourself like Rob Leese did for his CB&Q E5A ?

I empathize with your disappointment about the livery change with no update from the 3rd Rail team.

Sunset / 3rd Rail makes great models.  However, they sometimes get ahead of their skis & neglect customer communication regarding changes. 

CB&Q Bill

@CBQ_Bill posted:

@Shawn Chronister

I do not know what the specific KCS E6 livery is that you wanted & that 3rd Rail had advertised in their original ad.

Is there any chance that you can modify it yourself like Rob Leese did for his CB&Q E5A ?

I empathize with your disappointment about the livery change with no update from the 3rd Rail team.

Sunset / 3rd Rail makes great models.  However, they sometimes get ahead of their skis & neglect customer communication regarding changes.

CB&Q Bill

Not sure how they got ahead there ski's.

I have specific communications with Scott.

He used the Picture from Brass Trains that I found and Scott even switched the wing on the front to point left looking at the front of the engine. Technically the wing facing right was used on the E3's but was switched to the left when they got the E6's even on the E3's because it was just not aesthetically pleasing.

I am trying to work something out.

I will throw out this as a hail mary. For the folks that received City of San Fransisco B unit 2 or #6, would you have any interest in trading it for one of my duplicates from this run?

Have duplicate A units, B units and a few other road names.

@Shawn_Chronister posted:

Not sure how they got ahead there ski's.

I have specific communications with Scott.

He used the Picture from Brass Trains that I found and Scott even switched the wing on the front to point left looking at the front of the engine. Technically the wing facing right was used on the E3's but was switched to the left when they got the E6's even on the E3's because it was just not aesthetically pleasing.

I am trying to work something out.

I would love to see the antenna built up installed on this. What a wonderful model to do. Fabulous 👍 We did them in HO at Division Point F3s