So as my wife ridicules me for sitting here typing this with a stack of train books, what kind of variations are possible with the Amtrak units? Doing Amtrak will be a fair bit harder than the other roadnames, as nearly every single unit is different (unless just a whole bunch of ex-PRR units are chosen, which I hope not). Details can even vary from the same unit in its previous life, or even from 1972 to 1975. Will specific units be selected and worked on from there? Admittedly, I have no idea how popular they are (I keep buying them), but I appreciate that Scott and crew continue to offer the Amtrak equipment. So, if someone in the know can give me some idea of the feasibility of some of these, I'd appreciate it.
1. Phase II? Hasnt been done since the primitive weaver E-8s of the early 90s. Already have a set of single headlight and a set of double headlight MTH E-8s, I'd love a Phase II unit (or 2), in addition to more Phase I units.
2. Can we get a higher than #400 E8A-R or E9?
A number of these were rebuilt, they gained a triple headlight in the door:
3. Variations of headlights. The Sunset FL9s had, where applicable, dual sealed beams that were surface mounted (not sure if thats the right term). A number of the E's gained these at some point in their life, in various arrangements.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
I'm assuming the nose door is a separate piece from the shell, so the single/double headlight versions can be done, so maybe some of the unique headlights can also be made as well.
Then there's also the portholes, snow shields, icicle breakers, beacons, nose lift brackets, MU plugs in the nose, square plow pilots, and other oddities that were added, removed and changed over time. I hope there's a few well documented units out there with a series of all angle photos in a short time period. Most of the rebuilding took place in late 1973-1974 time frame, and before then, was a lot of full on Rainbow era.
I hope we can get some (or just one) of the unique late in life variations done, as Sunset is likely the only way to do some of these detail specific variations.