What Passenger set matches this Amtrak F40PH Phase V?

Well that's A fantasy scheme I believe,  I'm sure you could pull any phase behind it.

As stated above it is a fantasy scheme as, I recently learned, there were no powered F40PH in Phase V. Powered versions of the F40PH Phase 1(fuel tanks near near front truck, radiator fans different) appeared in Amtrak Phase II livery and the F40PH Phase 2(fuel tanks near rear truck, change in radiator fans) appeared in Amtrak Phase III & Phase IV  liveries.

The most appropriate Amfleet liveries for a powered Amtrak Diesel in Phase V, even if it's a fantasy scheme, would be Phase VI(also known to modelers as IVB), Phase IV, and lastly Phase III. Amtrak  Phase V livery Amfleets were the "module"(blob) paint scheme and was also known as the Acela regional. I'm pretty sure these Acela Regional, Phase V Amfleets didn't get widespread use outside of the Northeast Corridor, where the motive power for them would've been the AEM-7 or the HHP-8.

Hope that helps!

I concur.

With all that said, the matching cars would be called Phase IVb or Phase VI...  MTH called them Phase IVb and I would as well.  Phase IV was a different blue used earlier, and then when the Phase V locos came out they changed the blue to match.

MTH's plated Phase IVb look like this with an MTH Phase V P42DC:

Thanks!

- Mario

only the AMTRAKKERS will know the difference.

So don't invite them to see your AmTrak "fantasy" fleet.

Steve has offered some great information.  I have the following to add if it helps.

The catalog appears to have this locomotive mis-labeled as a Phase V paint scheme and it should be labeled as Phase VI.  Either way it is a fantasy scheme as F40PHs were either sold or converted to cab control cars with five digit numbers and a baggage door on the side after the Phase IV paint scheme. 

Nothing against fantasy schemes as we all enjoy what we enjoy, but the appropriate cars would be Phase VI painted Amfleet cars.  Also, the Amfleet cars in the Lionel catalog are not 21" cars, but 19" cars that are reduced proportion from full 1:48.  Again, no judgment on that, just information.  The prior run of these cars were the nicest 3 rail Amfleet cars available in my opinion until true 21" scale ones were done by a different manufacturer.

You could also run Superliner cars in Phase VI paint behind this locomotive and they would be appropriate.  Lionel and MTH has made these in 18" cars in this paint scheme. 

Here is a photo of Phase VI painted Amfleet cars (my photos):

Here are photos of Phase VI painted Superliner Cars:

Finally - only offered by Golden Gate Depot, but Viewliners in the Phase VI and Phase III Heritage Travelmark paint schemes would work behind that locomotive:

I agree with the above, it is a fantasy scheme so no need to worry on a prototypical passenger set that will match the engine.
As you are asking for opinions, I think Phases III, IV, and VI (also known as IVb) would look fine behind the engine. I personally am a fan of Phase III over every phase, as it is very patriotic, but I am biased.

If anyone wants to have a nice reference on Amtrak Phases, please view this PDF: Amtrak Paint Scheme and Logo Branding Guide (ogaugerr.com)

Bryce

@GG1 4877 posted:

Steve has offered some great information.  I have the following to add if it helps.

The catalog appears to have this locomotive mis-labeled as a Phase V paint scheme and it should be labeled as Phase VI.  Either way it is a fantasy scheme as F40PHs were either sold or converted to cab control cars with five digit numbers and a baggage door on the side after the Phase IV paint scheme.

Nothing against fantasy schemes as we all enjoy what we enjoy, but the appropriate cars would be Phase VI painted Amfleet cars.  Also, the Amfleet cars in the Lionel catalog are not 21" cars, but 19" cars that are reduced proportion from full 1:48.  Again, no judgment on that, just information.  The prior run of these cars were the nicest 3 rail Amfleet cars available in my opinion until true 21" scale ones were done by a different manufacturer.

You could also run Superliner cars in Phase VI paint behind this locomotive and they would be appropriate.  Lionel and MTH has made these in 18" cars in this paint scheme.

Here is a photo of Phase VI painted Amfleet cars (my photos):

Here are photos of Phase VI painted Superliner Cars:

Finally - only offered by Golden Gate Depot, but Viewliners in the Phase VI and Phase III Heritage Travelmark paint schemes would work behind that locomotive:

Wow these are amazing.

@StevefromPA posted:

As stated above it is a fantasy scheme as, I recently learned, there were no powered F40PH in Phase V. Powered versions of the F40PH Phase 1(fuel tanks near near front truck, radiator fans different) appeared in Amtrak Phase II livery and the F40PH Phase 2(fuel tanks near rear truck, change in radiator fans) appeared in Amtrak Phase III & Phase IV  liveries.

The most appropriate Amfleet liveries for a powered Amtrak Diesel in Phase V, even if it's a fantasy scheme, would be Phase VI(also known to modelers as IVB), Phase IV, and lastly Phase III. Amtrak  Phase V livery Amfleets were the "module"(blob) paint scheme and was also known as the Acela regional. I'm pretty sure these Acela Regional, Phase V Amfleets didn't get widespread use outside of the Northeast Corridor, where the motive power for them would've been the AEM-7 or the HHP-8.

Hope that helps!

Phase V AEM-7 with the same Phase IVb cars...

Phase V AEM-7 with Phase V cars...

Thanks!

- Mario

This is what I'm thinking for a set. Phase 3 for lead, passengers Phase 3 and cabbage Phase 5.

I'm considering getting the Lionel Phase III heritage cars myself.  When I was riding the Broadway Limited fairly regularly between 1987 and 1992, other than the dome car all of these cars regularly showed up in the consist.   The dome car was on the Capitol Limited.  Power was Phase III painted F40PHs and behind the locomotive were three Thrall Materials Handling Cars that hauled mail for Amtrak at the time.

From a historical perspective, the F40PHs started getting replaced by the Genesis locomotives starting in 1993.  Amtrak retired F40PHs in 2001 when they started getting converted to the "Cabbages".

If I didn't already have seven Amtrak F40PHs between K-Line and MTH, I'd consider the Lionel one. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I'm considering getting the Lionel Phase III heritage cars myself.  When I was riding the Broadway Limited fairly regularly between 1987 and 1992, other than the dome car all of these cars regularly showed up in the consist.   The dome car was on the Capitol Limited.  Power was Phase III painted F40PHs and behind the locomotive were three Thrall Materials Handling Cars that hauled mail for Amtrak at the time.

From a historical perspective, the F40PHs started getting replaced by the Genesis locomotives starting in 1993.  Amtrak retired F40PHs in 2001 when they started getting converted to the "Cabbages".

If I didn't already have seven Amtrak F40PHs between K-Line and MTH, I'd consider the Lionel one.

The Lionel kinematic pilots sound interesting.

@GG1 4877 posted:

I'm considering getting the Lionel Phase III heritage cars myself.  When I was riding the Broadway Limited fairly regularly between 1987 and 1992, other than the dome car all of these cars regularly showed up in the consist.   The dome car was on the Capitol Limited.  Power was Phase III painted F40PHs and behind the locomotive were three Thrall Materials Handling Cars that hauled mail for Amtrak at the time.

From a historical perspective, the F40PHs started getting replaced by the Genesis locomotives starting in 1993.  Amtrak retired F40PHs in 2001 when they started getting converted to the "Cabbages".

If I didn't already have seven Amtrak F40PHs between K-Line and MTH, I'd consider the Lionel one.

So they just gut the trains and use them as storage and slap the phase 5 paint on them? I have been finding a ton of videos of the p42s on the other end of the trains. I wish they didnt Lionchief the P42 and made it a legacy so I could just make that.

@Robert Cushman posted:

So they just gut the trains and use them as storage and slap the phase 5 paint on them? I have been finding a ton of videos of the p42s on the other end of the trains. I wish they didnt Lionchief the P42 and made it a legacy so I could just make that.

Essentially yes.  They retained the cab and the control stands to be used in push-pull service, but the engine compartment was converted to a baggage car.

Sunset / 3rd Rail is offering scale P42s with TMCC for three rail.  I have three on pre-order and will likely add a 4th. 

An Atlas 2-Rail Pepsi Can P42 & a pair of Phase III F40PHs for me...

@CentralFan1976 posted:

An Atlas 2-Rail Pepsi Can P42 & a pair of Phase III F40PHs for me...

Is the atlas p-42 better than the Mth? I have the newest mth p-42 and think the quality is crumby compared to Lionel. Also how do you run Atlas if I have only Legacy 990 and mth dcs.

@Robert Cushman posted:

Is the atlas p-42 better than the Mth? I have the newest mth p-42 and think the quality is crumby compared to Lionel. Also how do you run Atlas if I have only Legacy 990 and mth dcs.

My above post has an MTH P42 and have nothing but love for it.  The colors are spot on and the ability to change to the Empire Service sounds gives me direct control over the horn and announcements.  Atlas' will use the MTH tooling and DCS control system, with all new pilots, so you know that the colors will be correct and the pilot details will be great, as well!

Thanks!

- Mario

@GG1 4877 posted:

I'm considering getting the Lionel Phase III heritage cars myself.  When I was riding the Broadway Limited fairly regularly between 1987 and 1992, other than the dome car all of these cars regularly showed up in the consist.   The dome car was on the Capitol Limited.  Power was Phase III painted F40PHs and behind the locomotive were three Thrall Materials Handling Cars that hauled mail for Amtrak at the time.

From a historical perspective, the F40PHs started getting replaced by the Genesis locomotives starting in 1993.  Amtrak retired F40PHs in 2001 when they started getting converted to the "Cabbages".

If I didn't already have seven Amtrak F40PHs between K-Line and MTH, I'd consider the Lionel one.

But do the Lionel Legacy F40's sound better than the K-Line ones?

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

But do the Lionel Legacy F40's sound better than the K-Line ones?

The sounds on the K-Line ones are not very good.  Rail Sounds 2 as I recall.  However, I'm as concerned about sound.  I often turn the sound down anyway.  Just my personal preference. 

@prrhorseshoecurve yes the Lionel F40PH sounds better than the K-Line. I have the Lionel F40PH in both liveries and one cabbage unit, K-Line F40PH with TMCC, RS board RS27D012(generic board Lionel provided to other mfgrs.), and finally two MTH units both with Proto 2: RK Scale Phase IV & Premier Surfliner Scheme.

The Lionel F40PH phase III has the Nathan K5LA horn and ditch lights, the Phase II livery has a different horn and doesn’t have ditch lights.

The K-line Unit is great- I love it, but since I purchased the legacy version I don’t use it.

Regarding the cabbage units- I highly suggest any Amtrak fan get one. They work with both Legacy & TMCC. For a TMCC MU you might have to get the lighting synced, but I’m pretty sure the cab unit auto adjusts its lighting to the direction in which it is going. So if I want to run my TMCC Phase IV Dash 8, with my  Phase III cabbage- I don’t even necessarily have to make a “lash-up” in my Legacy remote.

@Robert Cushman posted:

Is the atlas p-42 better than the Mth? I have the newest mth p-42 and think the quality is crumby compared to Lionel. Also how do you run Atlas if I have only Legacy 990 and mth dcs.

If you “only have” the two control systems you mentioned- you’re covered ha. They control TMCC equipped(Lionel, Weaver, K-Line, Atlas O), Legacy equipped(Lionel), and Proto 2 & Proto 3(MTH & Atlas).

*Note- Atlas command locomotives prior to the most recent catalog were all TMCC equipped and had either no speed control, TaS EOB control(tach sensor & tape), and now have ERR boards. Now the Atlas Premier Line has Protosound 3 & the Masterline continues with TMCC for the time being(the F7s in the most recent catalog). That’s just a heads up if you’re looking at past Atlas units

@GG1 4877 posted:

The catalog appears to have this locomotive mis-labeled as a Phase V paint scheme and it should be labeled as Phase VI.

Just a heads up, it is Phase V. The only active-service locomotive to be painted into Phase VI is P42 #108 as part of the 50th-anniversary heritage units. In addition to 108, the first five ALC-42s (excluding 301), will also receive the Phase VI paint scheme.

Here is a helpful video discussing the different Amtrak paint schemes:

@RJ I posted:

Just a heads up, it is Phase V. The only active-service locomotive to be painted into Phase VI is P42 #108 as part of the 50th-anniversary heritage units. In addition to 108, the first five ALC-42s (excluding 301), will also receive the Phase VI paint scheme.

Here is a helpful video discussing the different Amtrak paint schemes:

#108 is a good looking unit, and I've mentioned it before, the Superman-like colors are a lot nicer in person.  Here's a screenshot of my video with #108 leading The Lake Shore.  Click on picture for video link.

Thanks!

- Mario

From the photos I found the Phase 5 cabbage is mostly paired with these cars and a p42.

These atlas cars are also full scale 1/48 21”compared to the Lionel 19”.

Is the Atlas p-42 the exact same as the mTH tooling/paint or better or worse?

The Atlas P42s are the same MTH tooling, but will have newly designed pilots. This is their first run, so we can’t comment on colors or how close they’ll match.

With that said, in my collection, Atlas has traditionally been the most accurate with colors and detail matching. A tradition that has my fingers crossed will continue.

For example, here is how close the Atlas Phase III AEM-7 matches MTH’s Phase III Amfleet cars, even though they’re a generation apart.

Thanks!

-Mario

@RJ I posted:

Just a heads up, it is Phase V. The only active-service locomotive to be painted into Phase VI is P42 #108 as part of the 50th-anniversary heritage units. In addition to 108, the first five ALC-42s (excluding 301), will also receive the Phase VI paint scheme.

You are absolutely correct.  I had a brain failure.  Amtrak diesel locomotives never got past Phase V until the 50th anniversary Heritage Units.  What was I thinking?

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

But do the Lionel Legacy F40's sound better than the K-Line ones?

Do you define better as simply sounding better or sounding more accurate? Personally I think the Legacy F40 hits both of those categories really well, while the K-Line doesn’t quite hit the mark on accuracy.