3rd Rail E7???

I sorta remember that you have to buy pilots separately for 3-rail units

Rex,

 

I recall seeing something about the 2-rail engines coming with different pilots (1 fixed, 1 not?), but nothing about how the 3-rail engines would come.

 

If I desire a fixed pilot, how do I get it in on my pre-order and will it come painted?

 

I know...I need to email Scott.

Bob Delbridge said:

I know...I need to email Scott.

Yep. I expect that 3rd Rail will make pilots available painted as the complete unit is. Anyhow, of you email Scott and he replies, please post it here.

Woulda been cool if 3rd Rail had done pilots as Weaver did on the BP-20's; pilots free to pivot, but independent of the trucks. Even on O-72 curves the pilot swing is far less obnoxious than on the typical swinging pilot diseasel.

Website say June 2012, http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.html#E7

 

Jim

Dave,

Were they at York?  I emailed Scott but no answer yet.

 

That probably means my Seaboard E7 too .

 

Did they say anything about extending the pre-order cutoff date (which means pushing the delivery date back) to see if more orders come in?

I imagine the C&O E-7 I've reserved hasn't got enough preorders either. I preordered a C&O steel yellow caboose (still haven't gotten the red one after several years of waiting) which was cancelled because it had less than ten reservations. Preordered the C&O L2 Hudson which also got cancelled because of lack of interest. Its tough to model southern roads.

 

Ken

Well,

 

Seems like Sunset/GGD/3rd Rail wants to offer the modeler the unusual or "one off" item that the other manufacturers don't want to be bothered with.  His company has a history of this so I can only hope we all see the models in the livery we want made.

 

If all the other manufacturers are going to offer only items in PRR, ATSF, NYC, or UP livery (and even worse, items painted up for a RR that didn't own them), I wish they'd tell me now so I can stop getting all worked up about a new item.  As a matter of fact, I'm don't worry about new stuff and am more than happy to "play" with what I already have.

 

I see Key Model Imports is/has an E4 in Seaboard colors.  I wonder how many of those actually got made? (I love the tilt-out nose door on that engine).  I know I can't justify spending what they're asking for it, and I doubt there's a handful of folks that can either.

My guess would be 8-10 minimum.  Based upon pieces of information over the years my guess is it costs about $1500 for the setup for a livery.  Any less than 8-10 causes the cost per unit to impact the overall per unit bottom line for the entire run.  And the importers appear hesitant to change the pricing structure to support folks who may be willing to pay extra if fewer are made.

 

OBTW, nw2124 probably has a Seaboard unit to sell seeing as how he thinks they were finished so badly.

Hopefully they can get the required numbers to do a SAL unit.  I posted again on the ACL-SAL-SCL Yahoo forum with a copy of the artwork that Jonathan Peiffer posted on the main forum a while back to generate some interest.  It's such a unique (those long handrails and fireman's step on the nose) and nice looking model not to be done.

 

Here's a link to Jonathan's post:

 

https://ogrforum.com/d...730#4527055141232730

Hmmm,

 

Clarification.   My numbers above were for brass.   The number for Sunset E7s is 25.

 

Richard

Based on conversations Scott and I had during the York TCA show I believe we will see most, if not all, of the proposed schemes done including C&O and SAL even though a number of schemes have not met the 25 reservation mark at this time.

 

Not announced yet but we will probably also see Maine Central in green as an exclusive for Norm's O Scale.

THAT'S GREAT NEWS, THANKS!!!

 

I hope more people climb on board for these engines.

I imagine the C&O E-7 I've reserved hasn't got enough preorders

With my order, that makes 4 pre-ordered

Will the A units come in more than one number? I might consider a second A unit if it has a different number. Better yet if I could get a dummy A in different number I'd reserve it. Why aren't the A units being offered in dummy versions?

 

Ken

don't know about numbers, but I was told by dealer that only powered units were to be made, hence no dummies. supposed to be singe motor units

Jonathan Peiffer had indicated to me there would be different numbers, but if the sales aren't there.....

 

The Seaboard unit he's done artwork for was done so it would cover units 3023, 3025, 3029 and 3030.  3030 was the usual motive power for THE TIDEWATER that ran out of Portsmouth where I live.

 

If they don't do but 1 number, I hope that's the one!

Single motor, YES. However it is a LARGE can motor with Sunset/3rd Rail's "quiet cog belt drive system" which provides power to ALL wheels in EACH TRUCK. Thus, a single powered unit will almost pull the walls down, with its "all six axles powered" drive system.

Sounds like a business opportunity for custom painters, if that's the only was to get a paint scheme you have to have

JJ, I know you are the EMD school of higher learning, but, and correct me if I am wrong and I KNOW you will, the E were A-1-A's, so if prototype is followed then only 2 axles would/should be powered. That said, I have 3 coming. I want to run elephant style as I live in the Valley between Little North and Afton, so I should be able to rock and roll without much problem! Shame Bill Warden didn't do a lot of C & O!

Just want to remind folks that for 3-rail, the "A" units are powered and the "B" units are unpowered. 

 

Jim

Anxiously waiting on delivery of my B&M E7!  I know 3rd rail will do a great job.

I'm hoping their "horizontal" drive will catch on with the other manufacturers.  It looks like a solid design from the photos that have been posted.

pull the walls down, with its "all six axles powered" drive system.

 

this is certainly true with the E7's drive. I recently had my two A units pulling a 14 car train around our club layout that has grades over 2% in two places. the units did not breath hard doing so, but may need a little more weight added for our grades to prevent slipping.

 

two 40' mail storage cars, two 50' express reefers, two R50B, two B60b, four P70 coaches, two 12-1 sleepers.

 

these engines can start at less-than-walking speed, though the top speed is about 45-50 smph.

 

this is all with the 2 rail version using the QSI Titan Magnum.

Anybody with the 1st run (in 3-rail) have a video so we can hear what they sound like???  Conventional and TMCC please

I have good new regarding the new run of E7s. Southern met the minimum requirements for production, so we are going ahead with all paint schemes, except for PENN CENTRAL. We only got 2 orders for that by the deadline of May 1st. The quantities are set, and there are some extras of each road being produced, like 3 or 4 extra PRR Tuscan 1 stripe and others, so if you are still on the fence, it is not too late.

 

Thanks all for your comments, support and good suggestions.

 

FL9 Tooling Drawings were approved, and tooling will begin shortly. FP7s coming in 2013.

 

Cheers,

 

Scott Mann

Good to hear Scott, thanks for all the effort you guys have put into this!

 

Oh well, guess one of those was me! (AB set ordered from a dealer)  I thought more people would want Penn Central E7's.  

 

Scott, any news on the NYC 1948 20th Century passenger sets??  Thanks!

Scott Any images of the milw road version ?

Brian:

 

The NYC 1948 20th Century Limited sets were shipped at the end of last week. Did you order a set of these cars?

I thought more people would want Penn Central E7's.

Guess I will be going ahead with my Williams versions.

 

Fred

Brian, yes, I ordered the 12 car set from a dealer.  Hopefully they'll be arriving soon, the ABA E7's are waiting to pull them!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought Williams made Penn Central F-3s, not E-7s.

Nick,

 

Williams did make the E7, here's mine I repainted for Seaboard.  Not sure if they made any for PC (I reread your post and it hit me you were talking specifically about PC units):

 

Brian, we both ordered the same combo. We have a lot in common other than our first name. Look forward to seeing you and your wife again at York.

Yes, we both do love passenger trains!  We hope to see you in October too.

UPDATE!

 

I received the following email yesterday from Scott:

 

Dear Valued Sunset Models Customer: The 2nd Run of E7s is under way. Please review and confirm your order as we are making these exactly to your reservations. Expertly crafted in ABS and hand decorated one by one, these masterpieces should be ready for shipping in late October. Thank You, Scott Mann

Best Regards,

Scott Mann

 

There was a PDF file that came attached indicating the total final price and method of payment.

 

I must be thick between the ears this week, do we print and fill out the form and email it back or send it via USPS?  Or do we call and give our CC info over the phone?  Anybody else worry about how secure sending CC info via email is?

Bob,

 

I have always mailed a bank Cashier's Check, upon request for payment. You could always just call them at 1-800-373-7245, and give them your credit card info.

HW,

 

Sounds like a good plan, I'll make that call later this week I hope.

Never, never, never send card info via an email. It's not secure at all.