Sunset 3rd Rail GP9/GP7

Folks: Reservations are looking strong, right out of the gate. So we will be focusing on this project to produce it after the Krauss Maffei, early next year.

Because of how a factory can hold your project hostage if they control all aspects of design, tooling and production as AFFA Tech and Sanda Kan had. We compartmentalize our production process, using separate subcontractors to perform those duties. The "Factory" just assembles, decorate and tests the final product. And any assembly house can be brought up to speed in a matter of months since the Korea production manager works for me. It's kept us out of trouble all these years. You don't want to own a factory in China, there's too much corruption and red tape. It takes your focus away from making trains.

Thanks for your input and support on the GP7, GP9 paint schemes. We will follow all detail differences to the best of our ability, including the railing differences between GP7s and 9s that HotWater pointed out.  The new software in our QSI "Titan" series is called Q3, and we are the first to bring this to  production. The E8s were the first and the improvement in 2 Rail running characteristics was noticeable right from the start. Then the PAs and now the E5/E6s and so on. Here we go.... It's true, ESU is much easier to install in a different model and configure, but QSI still shines in their DC operation characteristics where are patented.

If your serious, put your reservation in:  http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.htm

Thanks,

Scott Mann - China

hibar posted:

I would think that the GP 7,9,18 and 20 as one run would get sufficient reservations, it appears that beyond first generation diesels there is not enough market interest for more modern diesels [case in point SD-40-2s] at Sunsets price point bearing in mind that the "street price" from MTH,Lionel and Atlas averages 450+/- for most diesels and most buyers want at least a pair. Scott is dependent on both 3 and 2 rail orders to make his numbers. JMO

I'm all over the GP20. They are next to impossible to find in 2 Rail. 

Dave

CentralFan1976 posted:

Rule292 posted:

CentralFan1976 posted:

What we need are some GP18/20s!

 

The Central’s GP20s are some of, if not the the most beautifully proportioned of the EMD hood units.

I’m sure Scott would make darn near any locomotive we wanted. It just has to reserve and sell

Thus the conundrum of our hobby.  It doesn’t matter how popular GP7/9s or -38-2s were or SD40-2s were on the prototypes, at the end of the day the hobby is about big and fun and neat and what sells is Big Boys, Challengers, H8s, GG1s, Daylights and E/F units. 

No love for a Sunset SD40-2, which is arguably one of the most important locomotives of the past 40 years, yet a Kraus-Maffei is on the drawing board.

Not a bad thing, just human nature. 

It’s not just the Central’s that I believe would appeal to mass production. Differences in shrouded fans, and details like the bulged sides, seldom-modeled vertical grab irons and famous paint schemes like the NYC, ATSF, SP, NYSW and so many other short lines make this a popular locomotive. A loco like this is begging for single motor drive, because of the low hood constraints. 

thanks,

Mario

YESSSSSS!

Not popular enough, Pennsy didn't have any!

I would want a NYC, Penn Central, and Conrail model...not necessarily Pennsy.

Just a little tease.    NYC seemed to have a few of them.

LUVINDEMTRAINS...   Aren't those called Alligators on the Santa Fe..? 

  Blue and Yellow if I remember.

aterry11 posted:

LUVINDEMTRAINS...   Aren't those called Alligators on the Santa Fe..? 

  Blue and Yellow if I remember.

No. The "Alligators" were an Alco 6 axle unit, with a VERY long low short hood on the front. Other railroads had the Alco "Alligators" also, even the C&O, but with a high, long front hood.

Well aterry11 there you have it...lol.

I would take a GP20 in Milwaukee colors.

Dick

CBQer posted:

I would take a GP20 in Milwaukee colors.

Dick

Did the Milwaukee Road have any GP20 units?

One quick question...

What color will the unpainted GP7 models be?

If they're flat black. I'm in.

CBQer posted:

I would take a GP20 in Milwaukee colors.

Dick

Hot Water posted:

CBQer posted:

I would take a GP20 in Milwaukee colors.

Dick

Did the Milwaukee Road have any GP20 units?

No and so far Scott has not added the GP-20 to the current reservation list, 260 were built going to 8 RRs so if enough requests come in they might be added it would require low nose tooling.

aterry11 posted:

LUVINDEMTRAINS...   Aren't those called Alligators on the Santa Fe..? 

  Blue and Yellow if I remember.

Alco C420, Steamtown National Historic Site.  ??Alligator??  I could be wrong and often.  

Bowser has a kit for the radio phone antenna.  Brass wire is additional, not part of the kit.   

PRR Antenna Support Set

#190-3050 GP-9

I had done phone antenna on a Weaver U25 and a set of Weaver E8's using Bowser/Cal Scale brass detail parts. 

Mike CT posted:

aterry11 posted:

LUVINDEMTRAINS...   Aren't those called Alligators on the Santa Fe..? 

  Blue and Yellow if I remember.

Alco C420, Steamtown National Historic Site.  ??Alligator??  I could be wrong and often.  

 

Alligator? Nope.  Only the RSD15's were referred to as alligators.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

Mike CT posted:

aterry11 posted:

LUVINDEMTRAINS...   Aren't those called Alligators on the Santa Fe..? 

  Blue and Yellow if I remember.

Alco C420, Steamtown National Historic Site.  ??Alligator??  I could be wrong and often.  

 

Alligator? Nope.  Only the RSD15's were referred to as alligators.

Rusty

Thank you  

An Update on the Geeps by 3rd Rail:

Production is set for this Fall. Contracts signed, parts and tooling are ordered. We are on our way. I have emailed those with reservations to confirm. If you are interested, do put in a reservation as in the shuffle almost everyone gets what they want out of these projects. If we get your order soon.

http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.html#GP79

Thank you all again for making this project possible.

Scott Mann

And they said it wouldn't be done... It's funny to look back and read the posts by the self-appointed "experts". 

I've got my reservations in. Now to figure out if I can afford any more... What do kidneys go for these days? As a 2R guy I am fairly certain that these could be the last newly tooled 2R Geeps that we will ever see produced in O scale. I wouldn't recommend sitting this one out. If you EVER want a RTR DCC/Sound equipped 2R Geep you better find a way to get in on these.

Scott, I hope you do a second run in the future. F units and Geeps are a lot for the wallet to absorb in one year. If you take a break and come back to them I'd be in for a few more.

Nothing like a trip down memory lane.

-Crank

We can stretch out payments for customers. But we can't stretch out projects for the builder. They have to be continuously fed. GP79, HO SP AC9, then C&O Hudson, and KMs, NYC H10 then EA/E1s. The other small factory is making the SFSC 1938, Then VGN Battleship Gondolas, 20th Century Sets, SP Daylight Sets, Broadway Ltd Sets. Hiawatha 2nd Run sets. Lots in the hopper.

Hi Scott,

Not looking to change direction of thread, but any forward motion/progress w/ SD40-2s?

@EMD posted:

Hi Scott,

Not looking to change direction of thread, but any forward motion/progress w/ SD40-2s?

Seem to still be under-reserved. I think there are more Road options that could be added that might net Some more reservations. Whatever it takes to reach that magic # threshold that’s needed for Scott to say “it’s a go.”  And I just think all of Scott’s offerings compete with each other for our dollars. I have reserved some Alco FAs and I think they are going the way of the SD40-2s - a kind of reservations purgatory where they are shown but never “get there”. But in the meantime, I have this “to buy” obligation - a future $ commitment that keeps me from reserving another item or two from Scott. I can only “expose” so many future dollars. It’s a bit frustrating. Perhaps stagnated offerings need to be withdrawn. It could free up buyers $ That could push another project over the top in the #s department. Just saying..........
TrainBub

@sdmann posted:

We can stretch out payments for customers. But we can't stretch out projects for the builder. They have to be continuously fed. GP79, HO SP AC9, then C&O Hudson, and KMs, NYC H10 then EA/E1s. The other small factory is making the SFSC 1938, Then VGN Battleship Gondolas, 20th Century Sets, SP Daylight Sets, Broadway Ltd Sets. Hiawatha 2nd Run sets. Lots in the hopper.

That’s for Sharing this update !!!  This transparency is appreciated !!!  I’ll assume that this is showing which projects have “bubbled” to the top - have good reservation numbers. By omission, it also shows which projects are lacking in support. (Those “fence sitters” Need to jump in). I see no engine 2nd runs mentioned. And chance 2nds of E5,6,8s or F3s can be tacked onto the EA, E1 production run ??
TrainBub

@TrainBub posted:

That’s for Sharing this update !!!  This transparency is appreciated !!!  I’ll assume that this is showing which projects have “bubbled” to the top - have good reservation numbers. By omission, it also shows which projects are lacking in support. (Those “fence sitters” Need to jump in). I see no engine 2nd runs mentioned. And chance 2nds of E5,6,8s or F3s can be tacked onto the EA, E1 production run ??
TrainBub

On the fence on the SD40's. I have put in for the 2nd reservations for the F3. Would be in for E8's or/and E9.

Scott informed me my MP GP9 (Jenks blue) won’t be produced. ☹️😖😵. I appreciated the heads up and was able to substitute another road ..... BUT.......come on MP fans !!!!! A MP GP9 in Jenks would be incredibly scarce !!!!  I can’t believe so few get this or like the possibility of mixing a diesel like this into a diverse lash-up.  Nothing but blue/white paint jobs are so Boring !!!!!  TrainBub 😑

@TrainBub posted:

Scott informed me my MP GP9 (Jenks blue) won’t be produced. ☹️😖😵. I appreciated the heads up and was able to substitute another road ..... BUT.......come on MP fans !!!!! A MP GP9 in Jenks would be incredibly scarce !!!!  I can’t believe so few get this or like the possibility of mixing a diesel like this into a diverse lash-up.  Nothing but blue/white paint jobs are so Boring !!!!!  TrainBub 😑

You can always guarantee them.  I think the number is 20.  If he only sells 5 you get the other 15.  But it'll get them done.

@sdmann posted:

 GP79, HO SP AC9, then C&O Hudson, and KMs, NYC H10 then EA/E1s.

Happy to see the C&O Hudson move up to third on the to do list. I was beginning to wonder about it.

Ken

@rdunniii posted:

You can always guarantee them.  I think the number is 20.  If he only sells 5 you get the other 15.  But it'll get them done.

20 May be the number. I’ve heard lower numbers on other project. I think the E6 Demonstrator had only 3 or 4. Who knows. It all depends on the great “Scottini”. 😬  So ...I won’t be guaranteeing a run of 20. I’m not in the train business. I’m just a guy with a train hobby. Why would I want to guarantee a run of 15-20 units ? There is no reason. 😑😑😑😑😑

Order 20 road numbers of the Missouri Pacific blue GP9 units and then demonstrate them in order to sell them yourself.

Andrew

Looking forward to my black bird!

@falconservice posted:

Order 20 road numbers of the Missouri Pacific blue GP9 units and then demonstrate them in order to sell them yourself.

Andrew

Eeee-haaa !  What a consist that would be !!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😳🤣

Does anyone have some good in hand pics of the Bangor and Aroostook GP9?

Hi Scott,

Would you have a pic of the Conrail GP?

@sdmann posted:

Thank you Scott!  Can these be ordered for the possible second run?

Maybe a GP20?

Hi Scott,

Unless I missed it, is there any thought of a Penn Central unit? thanks

I second, third and forth the PENN CENTRAL.  No one other than Lionel in the MPC period has EVER produced a GP 7 or 9 in Penn Central.   Other than Conrail (not fact checked) has rostered more GP7 or 9s than the Penn Central.