I'm wanting to add a Amtrak P42 passenger train ( 2 Rail) to the layout. I have had no luck finding any 2 rail units. Are there any units available or will there be any in the near future? Any help would be appreciated, Thank you
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Well?
Atlas made them RTR ( 2 rail cars and GE Dash 8 series). There are also brass versions.
I took a MTH Genesis version and added 2 rail wheels, KD couplers, and fixed the pilots.
OMI made the P40 in O. I am sure they are hard to come by. As for cars, the Atlas Horizon cars are the only modern cars mass produced to scale. Ajin has done F40PHs and Superliners in Phase III. Another hard find no doubt.
I think OMI impored the Ajin superliners years ago. I saw some once years ago and they were beautiful, but the run was small, so finding them's going to be hard. If you can handle "shorties", the MTH superliners can be 2-railed fairly easily. K-Line made some superliners in full scale length which pop up from time to time (they also made the Santa Fe cars and the Amtrak Surfliner commuter cars -- both hard to find/expensive).
As for locomotives, the newer MTH unit is probably the easiest to find in the secondary market and can be switched over fairly easily. The box says Proto 3-2 2-rail switchable in the feature list and will run on DC. The Protosound 3 version will also run under DCC.
Engineer-Joe I thought about the change over, but the description on the MTH Genesis in the 2017 Volume 1 catalog doesn't list the 3-2 3 rail/2 conversion capable. Also all the Amtrak passenger cars in 2017 Volume 2 doesn't list an Kadee coupler conversion.
I run 3rail
I have the new Genesis and the box says 2/3 rail capable and i know you can change the wheel sets out to 2 rail.
Clem
http://mthtrains.com/20-20758-1
for example
click on the "features" tab and you will see this:
- 1:48 Scale Proportions
- Proto-Scale 3-2 3-Rail/2-Rail Conversion Capable
- Proto-Sound 3.0 With The Digital Command System Featuring Passenger Station Proto-Effects
- Unit Measures: 18 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
Not for anything, but I never got the MTH 2017V1 I believe?
....or someone misplaced it?
Engineer-Joe how difficult is it to change the wheel sets out? Also how do you mount the pilot to the unit? Looks like I might be able to have an engine, now what about some new era Amtrak passenger cars? I appreciate all the info, thanks
The wheel change is fairly easy. I would take one axle out at a time and install the new replacement. They need to go in a certain way. There are a type of holes in the plastic insulator that should allow the pins in the trucks to go inside, if I remember correctly?
Keep the axle insulators in the proper orientation. One truck has them on the gear side, the other truck is the opposite.
Mounting the pilots is fairly easy on this model, again if I remember? One end has predrilled holes for the KD couplers in the pilots. I just added a spacing shim. I believe that Rich M has pictures of it on his site, Toy Trains On Tracks.
http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/
http://www.toytrainsontracks.c...AmtrakPhotoPage.html
I think he made a post about that here somewhere? ( I lost it when my computer went)
Also, there is a guy selling shims here on the forum, that I just slipped on his name?
Looking now, I really cut up the fixed pilots pretty good with my Dremel tool! I also had to drill (and tap?) the frame and pilots to screw mount them.
I got lazy and used a silver colored Sharpie to paint the plastic shims.
It's much easier to buy the 2 rail models!
Wow, look at the gap from the sideframe to the wheel! I didn't notice it being that bad before?
This was the 3 rail version though....
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Good morning forum members and I have located a P42 MTH engine to purchase, but have had no luck locating any Amtrak passenger cars for 2 rail. All the cars I have found are for 3 rail with no conversion available. Would appreciate all your expert advice on where to look. Thank you
Would appreciate all your expert advice on where to look. Thank you
Well you could place and order for Third Rail's 2 rail Amfleet cars.
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Would appreciate all your expert advice on where to look. Thank youWell you could place and order for Third Rail's 2 rail Amfleet cars.
Every order helps move this into production!
http://nyx.meccahosting.com/~a...8a7/reservation.html
AGHRMatt posted:I think OMI impored the Ajin superliners years ago. I saw some once years ago and they were beautiful, but the run was small, so finding them's going to be hard. If you can handle "shorties", the MTH superliners can be 2-railed fairly easily. K-Line made some superliners in full scale length which pop up from time to time (they also made the Santa Fe cars and the Amtrak Surfliner commuter cars -- both hard to find/expensive).
As for locomotives, the newer MTH unit is probably the easiest to find in the secondary market and can be switched over fairly easily. The box says Proto 3-2 2-rail switchable in the feature list and will run on DC. The Protosound 3 version will also run under DCC.
So AGHRMatt how hard is it so change the MTH superliners to 2 Rail. Does one have to do a lot of fabrication? Thanks
I'm not sure if those have the 3/2 trucks on them?
Engineer-Joe have you ever converted MTH passenger cars to 2 rail. I don't see any Kadee coupler mounts? Thanks
The newest MTH pass cars have KD mounts on them I've read, but I can't confirm that. I have converted an old set of MTH Amtrak cars to 2 rail. I put MTH lightweight trucks under them. I got lazy and never got around to adding KDs. Their 2 rail pass trucks come with 3 rail couplers on them!
I would guess that some shims need to be made to mount the KDs at the correct height. You have to connect the wires if you want lights to work. I am in the process of making all my pass cars have LED lighting. The stock lights draw too much power. I've also read that MTH may have started putting LEDs in the newest pass cars.
I have just looked at the latest catalog and nothing mentioned about Kadee pads. I also see there are some superliner cars on ebay. Hopefully I can get a couple bought reasonable and experiment. Also I read they have changed the lighting in the newer cars. The new P42 engine should be here Monday, now I just need to get some passenger cars for it. ��
I went with the Atlas Horizon Amtrak cars that are RTR for 2 rail. I'm getting lazy. I still had to work on the lights though.
I watch the Southwest chief daily and would like a couple superliner cars. I haven't seen those by Atlas. I'll have to check out there RTR catalog. Also hoping to talk to Norm tomorrow from normsoscale. Maybe he can help. I really appreciate all your input, Thank you.
Amtrak is training the crews to extend the regional train from Lynchburg to Roanoke VA. Twice a day they make the run. Amtrak diesel #89 leads two Amfleet cars. Sunset is taking reservations for Amfleet cars offering multiple paint schemes.
