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Post by csx3305 on Nov 27, 2014 11:59:32 GMT -8
I think I saw a shot of an early F40PH pulling the San Diegan. But I also believe that the early ones weren't at all typical of the Western operated locos. A 20% larger fuel tank could account for that. So I will also wait for the later versions. These do look really, really nice, though. Ed These look great, although modeling a freight-only line (Atlanta-Chattanooga) I can't really justify having one in any way. Otherwise I'd certainly be in line for at least one.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 12:54:22 GMT -8
At the time all there was were toy like versions from Life Like. Then Bachman Spectrum announced their version...Then Walther's came out with their Trainline F40PH, which despite being an economy model, looked MUCH better than the Spectrum model, and had a much better pilot and separate plow. I sold my Bachman F40PH's and replaced them with the Walthers Trainline. Then KATO announced theirs, which should have been the ultimate F40PH, but... I'm in the same boat. I started with the Bachmann one, but they were so poor I felt like I was "upgrading" when I got a few Life Like ones to flesh out my roster. I skipped the Walthers ones all together after experiencing their F units - nothing bad, but nothing to write home about, and not worth the price to upgrade. Kato's looked promising, but for the price, I didn't want to compromise. Now that the Rapido ones are announced, I think it's time to upgrade from my Life Like engines. And wow that'll be an upgrade! Pancake motors to premium! I too wouldn't say no to an f40 with ditch lights though.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Nov 27, 2014 14:28:03 GMT -8
The main problem with the Kato F40PH's are that they don't pull. Sad to say about a Kato, but they took too much weight out of them for the sound system. Couple that to the non-rolling Amfleet cars made by everyone, and you're lucky if you can get a 4-car train up a reasonable HO grade. One can always add weight, but even my old Kato RS-2 pulls better than their F40PH "as is".
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 18:45:28 GMT -8
The main problem with the Kato F40PH's are that they don't pull. Sad to say about a Kato, but they took too much weight out of them for the sound system. Couple that to the non-rolling Amfleet cars made by everyone, and you're lucky if you can get a 4-car train up a reasonable HO grade. One can always add weight, but even my old Kato RS-2 pulls better than their F40PH "as is". Luckily, Amtrak diesels in the mid 90's were so unreliable it might not look all that unrealistic having 4 f40's pull a 4 car train
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2014 19:02:40 GMT -8
From Overland Hobbies
Good evening and Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. Missy, Jake and I extend our warmest wishes and sincere thanks to you on this day. We have spent the day with Mom, Dad and My Uncle enjoying a couple wonderful meals and family time...and watching NFL football. As we wind our day down watching the 49ers and Seahawks I wanted to put the final touches on this announcement that arrived from Rapido Trains last evening.
Rapido has just announced the production of an HO scale AMTRAK F40PH locomotive with Phase I carbody details. The locomotives are offered in Phase II and III paint and detail schemes. And...the models are offered in ESU Loksound DCC and Sound versions or non-sound/ silent standard DC versions. These units represent the first F40PH units made by EMD and most were originally operating in the Northeast and between Los Angeles and San Diego on the SAN DIEGANS.
Pre-orders are requested by May 15, 2015 and delivery is likely to be late 2015.
Background Prototype Details from RAPIDO TRAINS:
The Amtrak F40PH is one of the few locomotives in North American railroad history that can be described as iconic. The F40PH represented the renaissance of passenger train travel in the United States. It was the face of Amtrak - to railfans, modelers and the public - for over 25 years. To date, no plastic manufacturer has ever produced the definitive Amtrak F40PH model. Until now.
Rapido Trains Inc. is pleased to announce the Phase 1 Amtrak F40PH in HO scale. Our new model has been scaled from original Amtrak and EMD blueprints and has been designed with the help of F40PH fans and current members of the Amtrak team who are themselves model railroaders. Customers can thus rest assured that the locomotive is dimensionally accurate from nose to tail.
The Phase I F40PH comprises units 200 to 229 delivered starting in 1976. These locomotives feature 1500 gallon fuel tanks mounted toward the rear of the frame with air reservoirs and battery boxes to the front. The Phase 1 F40PH also has low-profile roof details to clear the low bridges and tunnels in the northeast as well as a Nathan P5A horn.
Rapido's new HO scale Phase 1 F40PH brings an unprecedented level of detail never before seen on any modern American passenger locomotive model.
Pricing: AMTRAK F40PH, Phase I body, standard DC Rapido Trains MSRP $199.95 Overland Hobbies Pre-order price valid through 05/15/2015 $166.95
AMTRAK F40PH, Phase I body, DCC equipped featuring ESU Loksound Rapido Trains MSRP $299.95 Overland Hobbies Pre-order price valid through 05/15/2015 $250.95
The Rapido Amtrak F40PH features:
Extensive, separate underbody piping and conduit highly visible from trackside Head lights, backup light, and marker lights Working strobe lights that flash independently in DCC models - a first! Separate, factory-applied wire grab irons See-through, etched-metal radiator grills with visible interior supports Etched-metal windshield safety grills included in the box Era-specific details Full cab interior painted in correct colors Wind deflectors, see-through dynamic brake grills and radiator fans Scaled from original blueprints to ensure accurate dimensions Accurate fuel tank profile and exhaust silencer Sound-equipped model with a custom Rapido ESU LokSound sound decoder or DC silent model Will operate smoothly on DC and DCC layouts Rapido's proven 5-pole, skew-wound motor and silky-smooth drive system Macdonald-Cartier metal knuckle couplers mounted at the correct height Available in Amtrak Phase II and Amtrak Phase III (early) paint schemes Eight numbers plus unnumbered available per paint scheme Decals included for optional lettering and warning labels This is an Amtrak model from the rails up...and is not a VIA F40 with Amtrak paint
PRE-ORDERS ARE DUE BY May 15, 2015...but we suggest placing your pre-order now while this announcement is fresh on your mind.
If you wish to pre-order these items please e-mail your reply to this message or start a new message by e-mailing brian@overlandhobbies.com. Please be sure to list the model number(s) you wish to order, your name, address and phone number. I will then reply and confirm receipt of your request. No payment is required until the models arrive.
We also stand ready to assist you with any of your modeling needs...and if you are looking for bargains we invite you to check out online sale section to take of some deals today.
Missy, Jake and I thank you all so much for you business and wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving Day...what is left of it.
Sincerely,
Brian, Missy and Jake Marsh...a trio of tired Thanksgiving Turkey's
Overland Hobbies, a division of Overland Models, Inc.
Phone 765-289-4257 ext 107
Fax 765-289-6013
RAPIDO Trains image
AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, Phase II scheme, DCC and Sound
RT80530 - #200, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80531 - #205, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80532 - #208, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80533 - #214, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80534 - #219, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80535 - #221, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80536 - #222, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80537 - #225, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80538 - un-numbered, ESU LokSound DCC and sound AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, Phase II scheme, std DC, DCC ready
RT80030 - #200, standard DC
RT80031 - #205, standard DC
RT80032 - #208, standard DC
RT80033 - #214, standard DC
RT80034 - #219, standard DC
RT80035 - #221, standard DC
RT80036 - #222, standard DC
RT80037 - #225, standard DC
RT80038 - un-numbered, standard DC
RAPIDO Trains images
AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, Phase III scheme, DCC and Sound
RT80539 - #204, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80540 - #209, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80541 - #213, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80542 - #217, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80543 - #220, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80544 - #223, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80545 - #224, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80546 - #227, ESU LokSound DCC and sound
RT80547 - un-numbered, ESU LokSound DCC and sound AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, Phase III scheme, std DC, DCC ready
RT80039 - #204, standard DC
RT80040 - #209, standard DC
RT80041 - #213, standard DC
RT80042 - #217, standard DC
RT80043 - #220, standard DC
RT80044 - #223, standard DC
RT80045 - #224, standard DC
RT80046 - #227, standard DC
RT80047 - un-numbered, standard DC RAPIDO Trains image
AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, undecorated, DCC and Sound
RT80599 - Undecorated, un-numbered, ESU LokSound DCC and sound AMTRAK F40PH #200-229, Ph. I body, undecorated, std DC, DCC ready
RT80099 - Undecorated, un-numbered, standard DC
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Post by markfj on Nov 28, 2014 4:30:50 GMT -8
For those looking for more reference material on the F40PH, seek out the following Mainline Modeler issues: July, November (issue included drawings), December 1983, and June 1984.
Also, RMC did an article on converting a Life Like model back in their March 1991 issue. Actually, the reworked LL shell looks pretty good and the author used a Proto Power West chassis with a Mashima motor so it should pull well too.
Thanks, Mark
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Post by pboilermaker on Nov 28, 2014 4:46:27 GMT -8
I can't really tell from the photos posted, but does the anticlimber look like this?
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Post by notabob on Nov 28, 2014 5:39:07 GMT -8
I can't really tell from the photos posted, but does the anticlimber look like this? If you're asking if the anticlimber extends beyond the shell as in the photo you posted - yes it does.
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Post by riogrande on Nov 28, 2014 5:48:13 GMT -8
The main problem with the Kato F40PH's are that they don't pull. Sad to say about a Kato, but they took too much weight out of them for the sound system. Couple that to the non-rolling Amfleet cars made by everyone, and you're lucky if you can get a 4-car train up a reasonable HO grade. One can always add weight, but even my old Kato RS-2 pulls better than their F40PH "as is". Hopefully I'll have a chance to test mine out in the next couple months as I'm getting the main of my bench-work nearing completion and can start working on "closing the loop" on my mainline. The max grade is about 2.8% so I can see how many Walther's Superliner cars those KATO F40PH's can pull up that grade. The Rio Grande frequently used just 2 F40's when pulling a 10 car Amtrak California Zephyr and they had some pretty hefty grades, although I've noticed in photo's after the initial early days - it was more common to see a trio of F40's. I rode that train in 1990 and my AT-CZ had 4 F40's on the front, but we had a 17 car train if you count 3 MHC cars, 1 baggage, 1 transition coach/dorm, 11 Superliner I cars, and 2nd diner (ex ATSF bi-level) on the end to handle the extra large ridership that day. There is my excuse. Now I can't tell if the fuel tank is mounted forward or backward on that unit, it appears maybe forward. I know on one of the F40PH models I owned, you could easily reverse the fuel tank but removing a screw. Hopefully Rapido's model will have that ability. I skipped the Walthers ones all together after experiencing their F units - nothing bad, but nothing to write home about, and not worth the price to upgrade. Kato's looked promising, but for the price, I didn't want to compromise. Now that the Rapido ones are announced, I think it's time to upgrade from my Life Like engines. And wow that'll be an upgrade! Pancake motors to premium! I too wouldn't say no to an f40 with ditch lights though. At the time the Walther's F40's came out, they were quite economically priced and everything else was a disappointment, the Spectrum supposedly being the best model out in HO. I think I paid around $35 for my first one and when I got a look at it, and ran it, it both looked and ran better than the Spectrum model (which cost about $45 at the time). I immediately unloaded my two Spectrum models and over the next couple years ended up with 3 of the Walthers, all different numbers in phase III paint. Probably around 2005 I picked up all three numbers of the KATO F40. I was informed that the Walthers and KATO represent different phases so I figured cool! But, the quest for the ultimate F40PH continues and Jason is trying his best to obliges us. Honestly I still haven't spent more than $200 on any single HO engine yet, sound included (my Atlas GP40-2's were $155 w/sound) so the Rapido are going to be mega expensive compaired to what I'm used to. Even the Athearn Genesis GP40-2's with Tsunami will be close to $200 discount vs. the $300. But ... we move on! Cheers, Jim
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Post by slowfreight on Nov 28, 2014 6:08:26 GMT -8
First unit in that photo is correct, riogrande. Unfortunately, the underframes are different enough that just reversing the fuel tank and battery boxes will only sort of give the correct appearance...you'd be taking a great proto model and making it a foobie, but as a stand-in that might be ok.
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Post by riogrande on Nov 28, 2014 6:32:31 GMT -8
First unit in that photo is correct, riogrande. Unfortunately, the underframes are different enough that just reversing the fuel tank and battery boxes will only sort of give the correct appearance...you'd be taking a great proto model and making it a foobie, but as a stand-in that might be ok. I don't think I'd want to pay $200/$300 and end up with a foobie, but maybe that's just me.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 10:08:58 GMT -8
The phase I units were used in the west on at minimum the San Diegans, likely due to the small fuel tanks. I have photos in the late-70's, and they can be seen in the book on the San Diegans. Whether or not they were on the San Joaquins, I have not yet determined. Maybe not as the route was longer? Jim The units used on the San Diegans, San Joaquins, and Capitols were all part of the same "pool" and were swapped around depending on operating & maintenance needs. So a unit used on a SD one month could be on a SJ the next. Maintenance was done in LA (Redondo) and Oakland and units were moved between NorCal ( Capitols & SJs) and San Diegans via the Starlight.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 10:23:31 GMT -8
The main problem with the Kato F40PH's are that they don't pull. Sad to say about a Kato, but they took too much weight out of them for the sound system. Couple that to the non-rolling Amfleet cars made by everyone, and you're lucky if you can get a 4-car train up a reasonable HO grade. One can always add weight, but even my old Kato RS-2 pulls better than their F40PH "as is". Luckily, Amtrak diesels in the mid 90's were so unreliable it might not look all that unrealistic having 4 f40's pull a 4 car train In the 90s, San Diegans with one F40PH were normally limited to six cars in order to maintain a schedule (much 90 mph territory). The climb up Miramar hill was the real limiting factor. A seven-car train would never maintain schedule.
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Post by atsfan on Nov 28, 2014 17:15:20 GMT -8
I road those trains and they were very reliable
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Post by Donnell Wells on Nov 28, 2014 19:03:19 GMT -8
I could use a pair of the Phase I F40s in the phase III paint scheme. These would round out the 10 or 12 Walther F40s and 5 Kato units I already have.
Donnell
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Post by surlyknuckle on Nov 28, 2014 19:48:20 GMT -8
All of my yes! I have been waiting for Rapido to come out with something that fit my modeling prototype (1981 Chessie) so that I could finally patronize some of their great looking models. Yes, I am in for an F40PH. I haven't been this excited over a model since the Genesis GP40-2. Pre-pro looks great, I hope they are very successful!
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Post by GP40P-2 on Nov 28, 2014 19:50:23 GMT -8
I dug out my up to 35 year old slides, and here some are locations on Phase 1s that I found out west and in California:
204 Coast Starlight, San Luis Obispo, Phase 3 paint, 5/83 214 San Joaquin, Port Chicago, Phase 2 paint, 2/3/79 219 Oakland, 1/82, Phase 3 paint 220 San Diegan, San Juan Capistrano, 4/79, Phase 2 paint 220 Blue Cut, Cajon Pass, (Desert Wind?), 8/31/91, phase 2 paint 221 and 224 LAUPT, 12/28/85 Both phase 3 paint 225 Salt Lake City, phase 3 paint, 5/30/82 229 San Diego, phase 3 paint, 12/28/85
Hope that helps a bit. I should haul these down to Costco or somewhere and get them scanned.
Jim
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