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@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.

Last edited by GG1 4877
@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!

3rd_Rail_Seaboard_Citrus_E6A_3016

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

Last edited by TrainBub

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.   

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_NamePlateCloseUp_2023-0202

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

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_Nose&RightSide_LightsOn_2023-0202_A

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.

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_Nose&RightSide_LightsOn_2023-0202

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.

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_RightSide_Harry&Tim_2023-0202

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

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Images (4)
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_NamePlateCloseUp_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_Nose&RightSide_LightsOn_2023-0202_A
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_Nose&RightSide_LightsOn_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9911A_SilverPilot_RightSide_Harry&Tim_2023-0202
Last edited by CBQ_Bill

3rdRail_CB&Q_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_NamePlate_2023-02023rdRail_CB&Q_E5B_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_End&Side_Harry_2023-02023rdRail_CB&Q_E5B_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_OtherEnd&Side_Tim_2023-0202

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 !!!   

Attachments

Images (3)
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_NamePlate_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5B_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_End&Side_Harry_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5B_#9911B_SilverMate_BlackStripes_OtherEnd&Side_Tim_2023-0202
Last edited by CBQ_Bill

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.   

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9914B_RedStripes_RightSide_2023-0202

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 !!!

3rdRail_CB&Q_#9914B_RedStripes_Front&RightSide_LightsOff_2023-0202

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     

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5A_#9914B_RedStripes_RightSide_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_#9914B_RedStripes_Front&RightSide_LightsOff_2023-0202
Last edited by CBQ_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.

3rdRail_CB&Q_E5_YLB-CapacitorInstallation_Greg&Harry_2023-0202

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 !!!



3rdRail_CB&Q_E5_InsideMotor&DriveBelt_DuringYLB-Installation_2023-0202

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

Attachments

Images (2)
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5_YLB-CapacitorInstallation_Greg&Harry_2023-0202
  • 3rdRail_CB&Q_E5_InsideMotor&DriveBelt_DuringYLB-Installation_2023-0202
Last edited by CBQ_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!

IMG_1154IMG_1155

Attachments

Images (9)
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  • IMG_1154
  • IMG_1155
  • IMG_1156
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  • IMG_1159
  • IMG_1160
  • IMG_1161

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!

IMG_1154IMG_1155

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

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