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Dear Folks,

 

The FTs Diesel first samples are starting to hit the test track. Preliminary results are that 2 powered units perform spectacularly. Very strong pullers. Below is a very nicely done SF War Bonnet. These are complete with side lighted number boards. These units are designed to run in A/B sets with a remote coupler at either end. If you are running them in A/A or A/B/B we will provide the necessary hardware to connect the locos. Those that reserved these will be receiving pickup notices this weekend with a full color brochure attached. Those that did not reserve will never see one, because we only make these to the reservations. Most orders were for 2 Rail. Only a few of each road were produced in 3 Rail.

 

I want to thank all of you that did reserve and hoped for the best. We aim to please.

 

 

fT-SFWB

 

Coming next out of our factory is the General Motors Train of Tomorrow. Also offered in UP Yellow Livery, each of the 4 cars of the train will be expertly crafted from Aluminum with brass domes. The E7 Diesels that come with these cars will be fully equipped with TMCC in 3R and QSI's Titan DC/DCC Sound system in 2 Rail. If you want one, you can still reserve your "Train of Tomorrow". They will arrive in late September or October of this year. Please reserve your set now or be left out in the cold, when the cold weather does come.

 

Shortly after the Train of Tomorrow, will be new RDC Cars in ABS Plastic. Later this year we will produce the SF El Capitan and Pullman Smooth side "Finish Sets". So if any of these projects get you just a little bit excited, reserve... and you won't be disappointed. Thanks again for all your support.

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  • fT-SFWB: 3rd Rail FT in Santa Fe War Bonnet
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Tough red to make the atsf guys happy. It looks pretty close. Impossible to tell from our monitors and a digital capture.

The photo I took of my E's is as close as it gets to the atsf warbonnet red of the 40's.



Originally Posted by Laidoffsick:

       
Scott, the picture makes it look like the red has a pinkish tint to it. I'm hoping its a true bright red and not a pink or maroon tone.

       
imageimageimageimage

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(C) Gary Schrader

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Last edited by Erik C Lindgren

Scott Posted:

 

The camera and lighting are throwing the colors off. Here is a dim lit picture.
Shows the color more like it is to the eye. Silver trim is one of the corrections in process.

 

 

sf-ft-onthemove

 

 

As far as the RED, That is more like it.  

 

 

Also I think (again not 100% sure) that the yellow from the headlight to the front windows does not end with a 90 degree angle, but follows the angle of the windows. 

 

You can see an example of what I am talking about on  the hood of this PA.

 

Also note thr FT's in the background.  The RED War Bonnet paint covers the first screen and part of the second near the top of the locomotive.  On your sample they are Silver.

 

ATSF 51

 

You first picture shows it correctly.  Both are #163.  Is one picture reflecting?

 

 

fT-SFWB

Last edited by SantaFeJim
Originally Posted by sdmann:

We will be working on the Red Color. Thanks for the heads up. After bringing our model out into the sun, the colors change. Seems to match much better to a picture taken with flash photography.

 

Scott

sfwb-compare

That's a much better comparison with natural light (no flash). Nice bright, vibrant red color.

Scott, thanks for the update.

 

What is really pleasing to me as the Train of Tomorrow is next on the agenda. This is a first in O-Gauge and those of us who specialize in passenger trains really appreciate the opportunity to have this set on our layouts.

 

Many thanks for doing this set.

For sure! Agreed

Thanks Scott keep up the great work.

Originally Posted by Passenger Train Collector:

       

Scott, thanks for the update.

 

What is really pleasing to me as the Train of Tomorrow is next on the agenda. This is a first in O-Gauge and those of us who specialize in passenger trains really appreciate the opportunity to have this set on our layouts.

 

Many thanks for doing this set.

I missed this post as the red was being discussed.  Erik probably has more experience photographing than I do, but I do know, as dose anyone that does photography, lighting is critical.  

 

I assumed Scott's pictures were shaded by florescent lights, hence the bluish tint.

 

Erik's Key E unit photos appear a bit off (more vibrant/saturated) then they appear to the naked eye.  

 

The most off is probably the photo of the prototype.  If you are not an experienced photographer I can't argue that point with you.  But I will say that analog photos had so many variables that they only make for a good but not true representation.

 

I have Santa Fe red noses from a lot of manufacturers.  They never match between manufacturers.  They seldom match over the years from a single manufacturer.

 

All that said, my monitor may be the problem.  If you would take all of our monitors and place them side by side, they would all show different reds.  (Unless they were color corrected using professional software and probably Erik would be the only one with that type monitor.)

 

BTW Erik, I just noticed your baby!  Congratulations!!!

 

Scott, if you still have a relationship with Gary Schrader, he would be the guy to ask.

 

I have 100's of photos of red noses both scale and model.

 

 

I think this is one of the best I have., When I copied it, there wasn't a copyright.

  

Santa-Fe-306L

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Last edited by marker
Originally Posted by SantaFeJim:

Scott Posted:

...

Also I think (again not 100% sure) that the yellow from the headlight to the front windows does not end with a 90 degree angle, but follows the angle of the windows. 

 

You can see an example of what I am talking about on  the hood of this PA.

 ...

ATSF 51

...

 

GM always stayed truer to Leland Knickerbocker's original vision than GE or Alco or FM.

 

IMG

I was impressed Jonathan got the black stripes on the top like on the E units correct.  I would have missed that.  There are very few photos where they are visible at all on FTs.  And they disappeared from the F3s on as shown above.

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  • GM Warbonnet front
Last edited by rdunniii
Originally Posted by sdmann:

Dear Folks,

 

The FTs Diesel first samples are starting to hit the test track. Preliminary results are that 2 powered units perform spectacularly. Very strong pullers.

This should be interesting.  These are the first 2-rail diesels that use a single decoder to control the motors in both the A and the B and have stereo sound, one channel in the A and one in the B.

Just a couple of paint details Scott:

 

fT-SFWB

 

The red grills in this picture are correct.

The grab irons on the nose should be yellow.

The full length handrails on the sides for the cab doors should be red.

 

Will those of us that ordered an ABBA set, get a numbered set accordingly?

ie: 163L, A, B, C 

 

and don't forget some extra 2 rail pilots for us 3 rail guys who want fixed pilots and those body mounted side ladders  

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Last edited by Former Member
I wasn't nit picking, simply pointing out some details from the prototype which these are modeled after. It's a lot easier to do it during production rather than after the fact, not that Scott has to do any of the suggestions any of us offer. The things I pointed out are always taken from reference photos even though I don't post them.
Originally Posted by Laidoffsick:
 Will those of us that ordered an ABBA set, get a numbered set accordingly?

ie: 163L, A, B, C 

That's the plan.

 

For ATSF, Name 1 will be number 1 LA and Name 2 will be number 1 BC.  Name 3 will be number 2 LA and Name 4 will be number 2 BC.  Jonathan worked hard to get the correct numbering appropriate for each road.  I don't think any 2 roads are the same.

Originally Posted by Erik C Lindgren:
Hey Laid Off it's all good buddy. Not saying you in particular are nit picking; Dave Devita always had to reign me in.. HO-there Tex he would say.

These models are absolutely wonderful even if they end with some errors that I suspect any modeller could fix if he she chose too.

No worries Erik,  I don't want Scott to think I'm bustin his *****. I just thought if we pointed these minor things out before full production, it would be easier to correct then.

 

I have no problems making a few minor paint corrections, especially if Scott could supply very small bottles of "touch up" paint so the colors matched     

 

I also noticed that silver trim around the headlights 1st thing, but have no idea how Scott could duplicate that without added expense in casting parts. A beer or 2 will create a steady handy for me to paint those on myself.

 

I assure you, I'm glad I'm NOT on that "Not gonna get one" list. I put my reservation in right away when these were announced. 

Last edited by Former Member

One thing I've noticed is that each new diesel offering from Sunset/3rdrail is getting better and better. Accuracy and level of detail goes up and I understand performance and reliability improves as well. Hard to believe it's only been a few years since their 1st diesel offering hit the shelves. Once again, Sunset/3rdrail saw a need and filled it.

 

I am so happy to leave the China drives behind. I ordered several of the new F-7's and will gut my Atlas and 2R converted Lionel scale F-3's and use them as dummies. 

 

Great job Scott and team!

 

Butch

Jonathan that did the paint schematics
We all need to stand and give him a round of applause for an excellent job!

 

He did a fantastic job and as Richard points out:

I was impressed Jonathan got the black stripes on the top like on the E units correct.  I would have missed that.  There are very few photos where they are visible at all on FTs.  And they disappeared from the F3s on as shown above.

Good point and adds to the interest.   

 up148 posted-

I am so happy to leave the China drives behind. I ordered several of the new F-7's and will gut my Atlas and 2R converted Lionel scale F-3's and use them as dummies. 

Butch thanks for posting that.  I had been thinking Atlas, but that solves a big problem that will help my move to 2 rail.  

Last edited by marker

Happy to see this market is working out well for Scott,hopefuly down the road this will lead to newer Diesel power being produced. I for one would be in for SD 60,70,75s and GE-9s and Evos,as I stated in an earlier post I believe anything new in the future [?] from Atlas will only be in the Tman line[motive power]JMO

Scott those are stunning looking and the other models others posted.

I have a set of the Lionel F 7 or 9 forget they are great looking and sound good.

 

Just wondering Scott.

I have your 3rd rail CP F units for the Canadian Set and the speaker rattles so bad with the diesel sounds that I cannot use the sound. Just the whiste.

 

Why is this and how is the sound on the new Santa Fe units??

Originally Posted by Erik C Lindgren:
Did you guys notice the grab irons? PSC/P&D style 1/48 scale accurate brass with the bolt detail. Scott what a WONDERFUL thing you have accomplished for us.

They are so fabulous!



image

 

I must say I did not see this detail in any picture that Scott has posted.  Please direct me to that photo.   

Originally Posted by Erik C Lindgren:
Did you guys notice the grab irons? PSC/P&D style 1/48 scale accurate brass with the bolt detail. Scott what a WONDERFUL thing you have accomplished for us.

They are so fabulous!



image

This arrangement is characteristic of CB&Q "front nose" treatment. The CB&Q "E" units had the same arrangement, all added AFTER the units were delivered. All those extra grab irons and toe piece, down at the bottom, really add that extra touch.

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