I preordered the Sunset 3rd rail GP7 about 2 years ago and recently got an email about a month ago that the Sunset 3rd rail GP7/9s will be arriving soon. This will be my first locomotive from this manufacturer so I'm pretty excited to how it looks and runs. Has anyone else on this forum ordered one of these locomotives or have you purchaced diesel locomotives from sunset? How do they run compared to Atlas. Up till now I've only bought Atlas Master series locomotives in O scale 2 rail.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I ordered a single CB&Q GP7. IMO 3rd Rail is better than Atlas in almost every respect. Can’t wait to see them.
Attachments
Hi All,
Has anyone read or heard an update? It is April 6th. I thought they would be here by now.
Regards,
Ed
acording this link probaly 18 april
Hey Scott GP7/9? | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)
cor
My credit card was charged so I assume they are in country and will be shipping out shortly .
Scott
I think there will be a lot of happy “trainiacs” by the end of the month or so. 😬😜😝
Here's what it's like for any of our large shipments:
Pallets are being devanned, meaning they take out the several shipments that share a container. Then it takes a few days to be released from customs, then to schedule a truck to pick them up and deliver them to our warehouse. I hope for a Thursday or Friday arrival then we can sort them over the weekend and run the UPS tags. We shift from software orders, to hard copies of invoices and shipping labels placed on each box. Once all are set aside, paid orders, layaway, holds, delayed shipping, internationals, which require an inhouse inspection, special road number requests, multiple orders needing different road numbers, then we can see if there are any discrepancies in what should be left, which is very little in this projects case. This is why we want all paid orders completed before the models arrive to be sorted. Customers that request processing only when ready to ship are last to be shipped for obvious reasons. If we see a shortage in one road 2R or 3R, it tells us they either marked the box wrong, made an error in the packing list or just plain shorted us a model and we have to search all boxes of that type to discover the pattern of the error. I've seen them put 2R in in 3R marked boxes, one road into another road, but they follow a pattern which is uncovered when all of that segment of boxes opened. We don't want to have to open 500 boxes with the few people we have. It would take weeks. Their packing list is sometimes messed up a little too. But it all comes out when we pull the orders and place the invoices on them. Then we know what segments of the shipment have to be opened and inspected for accuracy. I know the people that pack these at the factory, and they occasionally mess up. I've often begged them, threatened to charge them for their errors, but they are human as human can be. So I generally keep my frustration to myself. It's never 100% and it's very costly to return ship models just because the labeling was wrong.
I know this sounds backwards to conventional thought, but most of the errors in packing or invoicing are discovered this way before we ship.
Once we feel confident that most all is correct, we release them all at one time to UPS.
So when you get the notice from UPS of a shipment from us, we haven't actually released it to UPS for 2-5 days, depending on the task at hand. When the tracking shows an updated arrival schedule, then you know it's been picked up and is on it's way.
I wish it was simpler, but after all these years, this is the process that seems to catch 99% of these errors.
Thanks for your patience. I am anxious as well and want everyone to be happy with what took over 1 and 1/2 years to bring to the market.
Great update and explanation. Thanks Scott.
As usual - a gracious note from Scott detailing for us the mechanics of his delivering “the goods” to us. Always enlightening - at least to me.
Thanks Scott !!! 👍👍👍
“Thanks for your patience. I am anxious as well and want everyone to be happy with what took over 1 and 1/2 years to bring to the market.” Scott Mann
1 1/2 year to bring to market. Wow !!! A long lead time considering this became a “Hot” offering. I have to guess this Very Popular offering was slowed by its massive size and number of different roads.
@sdmann posted:Thanks for your patience. I am anxious as well and want everyone to be happy with what took over 1 and 1/2 years to bring to the market.
Given everything that had to done in a normal year or so, and then heap on top all of the past year's complications, that's excellent execution of the entire project.
How long has it taken Atlas or MTH to deliver a totally new Model? It seems this project went relatively fast. Has Atlas even done a new one in a few years?
I prefer the single motor Sunset drives to the dual motor drives. I have Sunset E7s, FP7, F7, SD9, and PA/PB models. I like them all. The mechanisms have improved over the years too with addition of Ball bearings throughout.
Models Arrived. We start sorting tomorrow. Thanks everyone.
I will cut the UPS tags on Thursday and Friday. Please check that the address is correct. We have until Monday to correct any errors and off they go.
@SANTIAGOP23 posted:
Santiago,
You are right about 3rd rail offering a better loco but remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Atlas attracts a wider market because of cost, approx $200 a unit less. I have a few Atlas, 2 Rich Yoder, a couple MTH 2 rail, and a pair of 3rd rail CB&Q E8s.
Dick
Umm.. sorry Dick D. But Atlas O hasnt offered any diesels for some time. Idk if the VO1000/RS11 hit the streets but their msrp is getting up to 3rd rail price points when/if they do hit the streets.
@prrjim posted:How long has it taken Atlas or MTH to deliver a totally new Model? It seems this project went relatively fast. Has Atlas even done a new one in a few years?
The last NEW model at MTH was the MTH 44tonner done 11 years ago. [2011]! The last new model at Atlas O was the F7 done in 2016. IDN if the Atlas O RS11 and VO1000 [both former Weaver tooling] ever hit the streets yet.
I received an email tracking number on my L&N GP7 with a Wednesday delivery date. It is my first O Scale 2 Rail from 3ed rail.
My units arrive on Saturday!
"So when you get the notice from UPS of a shipment from us, we haven't actually released it to UPS for 2-5 days, depending on the task at hand. When the tracking shows an updated arrival schedule, then you know it's been picked up and is on it's way."
Quote above from Scott describing the process earlier in the thread. I got an EMAIL from UPS also. But the tracking number says it has been picked up yet, which is as described above.
Scott made it pretty clear they will not be picked up until Monday. If you got a UPS email today the label was created today. UPS assumes the date the label is created is the date they receive the package for shipment. If you got an email today for delivery in 4 days you should expect delivery 4 days from Monday NOT today.
And regarding boxes mislabeled in China I still have not gotten my DRGW 4-stripe PB because of a mislabeled package and a jerk who did not return something they did not order. They should never hope to get what they did order because I got all the leftovers and have used them for other purposes.
Paid 2R orders ship Friday.
3R UPS tags will be printed Saturday and Sunday. 3R Paid Shipping Monday.
International: Takes 2 weeks to check them all. They will ship as they are inspected.
Layaway and Holds, are held.
Cheers,
@prrhorseshoecurve posted:Umm.. sorry Dick D. But Atlas O hasnt offered any diesels for some time. Idk if the VO1000/RS11 hit the streets but their msrp is getting up to 3rd rail price points when/if they do hit the streets.
I know that. I hope their purchase of MTH models really pays off.
I’m sure they’ll look and run great. Hopefully we’ll see some more small road switchers from 3rd Rail in the future!
Please post pictures of your models! Theres a ton of really nice paint schemes I’d love to see!!
@SANTIAGOP23 posted:I’m sure they’ll look and run great. Hopefully we’ll see some more small road switchers from 3rd Rail in the future!
Would love some RS-1 or RS-3 in Rutland or NYC
With all the "noise" going on about this and that and what and when I just want to say,,,, THANK YOU, Scott Mann!
Attachments
Thanks for the images, enjoy them!
If anyone is in need of a New Haven GP-9 please drop me a PM - bought a couple , but I've gotten back to Sn3 so will keep one for the case . Supposed to see them today .
Regards,
Bryan
That's beautiful Mr Willers!
From the photos I have seen, these look very nice!
I hope there is a second run of these as I would order a couple. Can someone please post photos of the Clinchfield GP7's?
-JT
A heads on a problem that was pointed out to me at another forum. The fireman's side stanchion, just to the rear of the cab is missing. This is the case on all 5 units, in various road names, I have. Inspect your models carefully, as this may be a universal problem.
Attachments
Anyone order the C&NW Gp7? Would love to see pictures of how it turned out.
Hi,
Did the PRR consider running with the GP9 long hood forward to be running forward?
Thanks,
Ed
@Ed Kelly posted:Hi,
Did the PRR consider running with the GP9 long hood forward to be running forward?
Thanks,
Ed
Well,,,,,,,yes if that was where the letter "F" was, and how the control stand was configured. With the Engineer seated on the right hand side, with the long hood facing/operating forward, then that would be the normal way the unit would have been dispatched.
Here is a link to a video.
All PRR first generation hood diesels with the exception of the RSD7 and RSD15 were configured long hood forward based on the information I have gathered.
Attachments
Hi again,
Thanks for the info re: forward on the PRR GP9's. The "F" is on the long hood but the electronics has it backwards. A quick fix!
Another question: How do you remove the hatch to get to the switches?
Thanks,
Ed
@Ed Kelly posted:Hi again,
Thanks for the info re: forward on the PRR GP9's. The "F" is on the long hood but the electronics has it backwards. A quick fix!
Another question: How do you remove the hatch to get to the switches?
Thanks,
Ed
Just pull it off. It's held in place by magnets. But be careful to pull off one end only, the other end fits into slots.
The SD model.
Thanks, Mike CT. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Ed
@marty track posted:
Just to be sure, are those stripes white or silver?
White
Be sure to view Jerry Davis' video - a quartet of Santa Fe locomotives, excellent string of 1950's era freight cars and very nicely done California-type scenery. Well done !! This is why we are O -Scalers !!
mark_s: Thanks for the kind words. If you or anyone wants to see more, here are some links to other videos:
SP Extra 5472 at Walong
Meet at Walong
Layout Tour Part 1
Layout Tour Part 2
Layout Tour Part 3
Visitors from the East
Enjoy!
@Jerry Davis posted:mark_s: Thanks for the kind words. If you or anyone wants to see more, here are some links to other videos:
SP Extra 5472 at Walong
Meet at Walong
Layout Tour Part 1
Layout Tour Part 2
Layout Tour Part 3
Visitors from the EastEnjoy!
Took me three seconds to subscribe after watching the first video. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the picture Mike CT. I need that to be sure to open My L&N GP7 correctly. Now I feel comfortable so I can program.
@ArthurL posted:Just pull it off. It's held in place by magnets. But be careful to pull off one end only, the other end fits into slots.
Rear panel snaps in. DO NOT try to pull this one out. Push it out from the inside.
Lifting the forward fan panel.
Magnetic panels removed.
Steve
Attachments
It is nice that the panels are removable! Makes it easy to have so many different configurations.
Jerry Davis,
What a gem of a layout. Like Santiago, I immediately subscribed.
Dave
L & N,
Thanks very much. These pix are worth more than 1000 words.
Ed
Hello all, is there a track plan for the Jerry Davis layout?
Scott5011: The best track plan is in an article about the layout in the 2015 edition of Great Model Railroads (Kalmbach). The only thing I have here is a CAD drawing which does not reproduce very well.
@L & N posted:
@breezinup posted:Curious to know which railroad line this Geep is for.
Based on color only it might be a N&W engine.
Here is a link to a thread with pictures of a N&W engine.
Attachments
@Brad Kowal posted:
Wow! What a beauty! Wish I had grabbed one. Thanks for sharing.
Attachments
Mine did not run perfectly out of the box. I have six units (2-rail) and they all had the same problem. They would start moving okay most of the time but they would jerk just after coming to a stop. Tweaking the PIDs solved the problem. CV 56.18.1 (Very Low Speed Integral Gain) and CV 56.18.2 (Very Low Speed Differential Gain) were changed to 0. CV 56.1.0 (Very Low Speed Proportional Gain) was left at its original factory value of 60.
I hope this helps if anyone else has units with this problem.
@MELGAR posted:
Melgar, that looks fantastic!
RoyP,
Don't know much about the roadname but it looks great! Do you have more photos of your layout?
Dave
@Brad Kowal posted:
Brad ... did the unpainted unit come with the separately-applied details already installed? Or, did you put them on yourself for the photo?
Thanks, Jim
@luvindemtrains posted:RoyP,
Don't know much about the roadname but it looks great! Do you have more photos of your layout?
Dave
Thanks Dave,
It's very much a 'work in progress', I do have some more photos , I'll have to dig them out !
Roy
@CNJ Jim posted:Brad ... did the unpainted unit come with the separately-applied details already installed? Or, did you put them on yourself for the photo?
Thanks, Jim
The unpainted models have all the details applied at the factory. My 3rd Rail undec GP7s are basically SP GP7s, but without the paint. Therefore, it appears to be somewhat random as to what details your undec units came with. Maybe they were just randomly pulled off the "meant to be" production line before heading to the paint booth .
Scott
It appears the handrail stanchion was applied on the "engineer's side". Maybe Scott will provide a supplement part? Really nice model. Love the C&NW - used to see them working all the time in Waukegan, Kenosha and Butler Yard.
@mark s posted:It appears the handrail stanchion was applied on the "engineer's side". Maybe Scott will provide a supplement part? Really nice model. Love the C&NW - used to see them working all the time in Waukegan, Kenosha and Butler Yard.
He is, it's in the works.
@CNJ Jim posted:Brad ... did the unpainted unit come with the separately-applied details already installed? Or, did you put them on yourself for the photo?
Thanks, Jim
This is how it came right out of the box!
@Jerry Davis posted:Mine did not run perfectly out of the box. I have six units (2-rail) and they all had the same problem. They would start moving okay most of the time but they would jerk just after coming to a stop. Tweaking the PIDs solved the problem. CV 56.18.1 (Very Low Speed Integral Gain) and CV 56.18.2 (Very Low Speed Differential Gain) were changed to 0. CV 56.1.0 (Very Low Speed Proportional Gain) was left at its original factory value of 60.
I hope this helps if anyone else has units with this problem.
Thank you for sharing this information! My intent will be to replace the decoders with "something I'm afraid to mention" as they might not be a sponsor and I could get banned again.
@Brad Kowal posted:Thank you for sharing this information! My intent will be to replace the decoders with "something I'm afraid to mention" as they might not be a sponsor and I could get banned again.
So products can’t be talked about unless they are “sponsors”? Thats crummy. How are we to learn about different products ? I personally have no interest in decoders - but appreciate the free flow of information.
@TrainBub posted:So products can’t be talked about unless they are “sponsors”? Thats crummy. How are we to learn about different products ? I personally have no interest in decoders - but appreciate the free flow of information.
That doesn't sound true. Williams by Bachmann and Bachmann come up in the 3 rail forum and On30 forums all the time and they don't sponsor the forum.
I'm curious... Scott?...anyone?...How many Undec's were delivered in this order?
I'm really surprised at they were offered in the first place...re the aforementioned issue about 'But with what details?' ("The Devil's in the details!"??)
I see that Undec's are also being listed for SD40-2 reservations.
I applaud the option! But I'd really like to know how the buying population feels about this.
And how Scott felt about this run's Undec option....Success?...Do it more often?...Never again?...etc.
Seems like it has some potential for growth. Especially among those pining for their own special flag that, factory painted/lettered, might require years of random re-runs before happening....if ever. Then, too, there are some VERY talented custom painters/finishers out there...at another premium, of course. Some might even dare to want to venture into a fantasy scheme...pretty much off the table for a factory job!
And, hey...the buyer would, indeed, get to be the sole arbiter and final approval of the EXACT COLOR! End of disappointments in that category??
KD
@Brad Kowal posted:
Thanks for the undecorated pic. We get to see what pieces are brass. Perhaps other knew .... not I.
@dkdkrd posted:"And how Scott felt about this run's Undec option....Success?...Do it more often?...Never again?...etc.
Seems like it has some potential for growth. Especially among those pining for their own special flag that, factory painted/lettered, might require years of random re-runs before happening....if ever. Then, too, there are some VERY talented custom painters/finishers out there...at another premium, of course. Some might even dare to want to venture into a fantasy scheme...pretty much off the table for a factory job!
And, hey...the buyer would, indeed, get to be the sole arbiter and final approval of the EXACT COLOR! End of disappointments in that category??
KD"
Are these actually just bare plastic with the details added? Or are they like the Lionel Pilot Version steam engines where they have some type of protectant clear coat on them that needs to be stripped off prior to painting?
I've discussed this with a couple of very fine custom painters. The concern with undecorated units is they may not provide adequate base coat, they may need priming anyway. The consensus seems to be the easier and better way is to strip a painted unit, then repaint. Of course you must pay them, the 'premium' involved, but IMO the cost is quite reasonable for a unique paint job of exquisite quality. I cringe as I write this, they already have long waiting lists...
Attachments
@HiramO posted:"The concern with undecorated units is they may not provide adequate base coat, they may need priming anyway. The consensus seems to be the easier and better way is to strip a painted unit, then repaint."
None of the manufacturers appear to have any paint ready primer type base coat applied to these units, they aren't marketed for that.
I would wash the loco with warm, soapy water, blow dry and let it sit a day or so. I would then use ScaleCoat II light gray as a primer or Tamyia spray primer. Let it dry another day or so then start painting.
Dick
Installed Protocraft couplers and incandescent bulbs on my unit... now let’s get to switching those beautiful CZ cars!
Attachments
Very nice. As "Burlington" as it gets! A steam boiler equipped GP7 handled the dieselized Chicago-Mendota-Galesburg local passenger train for many years, so don't hesitate to put your very nifty locomotive into passenger service, as well as freight and switching.
Attachments
My partially unboxed 2R on my small 3R layout.
@mark s posted:Very nice. As "Burlington" as it gets! A steam boiler equipped GP7 handled the dieselized Chicago-Mendota local passenger train for many years, so don't hesitate to put your very nifty locomotive into passenger service, as well as freight and switching.
My plan exactly! I still need to add the vapor standby heater, tho. There are some nice images of Q GP7s in bulletin #63, Mark. Timely!
I pulled the steam equipment off the high hood and plan on filling the small holes. I am a bit concerned about matching the paint but we'll see. The loco will also be weathered.
Dick
You guys are so lucky! I don't do plastic, but I can tell from the photos that these are state-of-the-art. Impressive!
@bob2 posted:You guys are so lucky! I don't do plastic, but I can tell from the photos that these are state-of-the-art. Impressive!
Bob2
Your adversity to plastic is well known! 😁. Have you built any diesels other than the PA(s) and your fabulous Erie-built Fairbanks Morse?
Is so, I'm sure there would be interest in seeing them... 👍. 🙂
Mark in Oregon
Plastic is probably the best medium for model trains. Injection molding produces crisp detail, the dies last forever, and the raw material is almost free in comparison to brass/zamac.
I have converted three MTH PAs to metal, using the lost-plastic method (well, I didn't do the work, but they were and are my Diesels). I have plastic K-Line Train Masters, an MTH SD9, and a couple Atlas hood units in plastic. All are really nice looking, but not really my end of the hobby.
In my opinion, the most "engaging" GP in O Scale was the Simon sand cast bronze unit. It cannot even begin to hold a candle to the Kemtron, and this nice GGD model is light years ahead of either in terms of fidelity, detail, and operation, but still, for a certain type of hobbyist it fills the bill. Photos when I get the chance - I just realized I have none on file.
Meantime, I would love to see more paint schemes on the GGD model - hope you guys haven't put away your cameras!
Still haven't had time for pro photos of my GP7 yet, but here is the CNJ version from my cell phone.
For the fun of it, here is my Kemtron version too.
Attachments
Jonathan,
Nice pics (again)
Any Sunset Conrail GPs out there?
@EMD posted:Jonathan,
Nice pics (again)
Any Sunset Conrail GPs out there?
Sorry for the repost of these over and over. I really need to take the time for better photos and get the other road numbers photographed. Thought they belonged in this thread. I'd be curious to see a Conrail one as well. The GP7 was based on the NYC version and the GP9 on the PRR version.
Who do you recommend for custom painting?
@GG1 4877 posted:
Your CNJ is very nice; I wonder if you might consider starting a thread about this Kemtron unit. Would love to see more of it! 🙂
Mark in Oregon
This thread has adequately covered the GGD Masterpiece. Is there a rule that we cannot post Kemtrons here? If so, I will hold off until the new thread is started.