I hope all you folks are enjoying the early summer. It is just warming up over here and our factories are busy making the models you have been waiting so long for.
Our main factory has finished the Jawn Henry, this will arrive in late June.
Next on their plate is the NYC T-3a Electric, a fine locomotive with great sound, great pulling power and model that has never seen the rails in O Scale. Thanks to all our NYC friends out there for their assistance to make this model accurate and spectacular. See the T-3a in action at: http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.html#NYCT3.
Along with the NYC T-3, our factory is producing the Light Weight Coaches (first batch). We will be sending out notices on these shortly. Only 300 coaches were produced in this batch, so only 5 different roads are arriving at this time (C&O, NP, NYC, SP and UP). The remaining roads and any standby orders will be produced in the fall. In addition to the coaches is the very limited production of the SP Lark. What is special about the lark production is the all brass Baggage and RPO cars. These super detailed cars were necessary because of the sloping roofline. We wanted this train to be done RIGHT, and so we did them in brass. Pictures will be posted shortly at: http://www.goldengatedepot.com/reservation.html Look for these three projects to arrive simultaneously in August. Layaway payments are available to any direct customer requesting.
The FP7A and F7B Diesels will be next in line for production. Reservations will close end of June. We are doing road specific details such as, single or dual headlight, with or without dynamic brake, freight or passenger pilots, antennas and lift rings on PRR, small, large or no covers for the rear fan. Vertical or horizontal vents and nickel plated vent strip. Again, these models are powered by a single Canon Precision motor with all axle powered. The newest OEM sound system will be installed in these models along with our temperature regulated smoke units. You can see these on our web site at: http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.html#FP7 Don't forget to order the B Dummy Unit with your model.
We are working on an end of the year production of the B&O Columbian Set B, and Aluminum Finish Set (Combine, Diner, Sleeper and Observation Car). And early 2014 we will produce the PRR 1938 Broadway limited in Fleet of Modernism and Tuscan Paint Scheme.
The PRR BM70M, HORSE EXPRESS and THEATER SCENERY CARS Design is almost complete. These should be produced late in 2013 in very limited quantities.
At our other factory we awaiting parts to complete "The Canadian" train. This production should be finished in August or September. The plastic factory is finally running again, and our Modernized Heavy Weight Coaches will be produced in this same time period. We have all been waiting too long for this one.
The N&W Mollies are in production now and should be finished in September or October. We are sorry the schedule keeps slipping, but it is just how this factory deals with production. They are slow, but thorough.
Our last factory in Korea is hard at work painting and finishing the GN 08. Look for these models in the August / September time frame. Enjoy the pictures and brochure at on our web site at: http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.html#GN08
After the GN08 a very short run of brass Tourist Stock cars for our Flying Scotsman and A4 Mallard Customers will be produced in the fall. These were to be a large production in aluminum but are now a small production in brass, with super detailing. It is what the customers wanted. We will be notifying those who reserved these shortly.
There is Pennsy engine out there somewhere. Oh yes, the PRR L-1 Mikados. They should be finished this fall. After this production is finished the Erie S3/S4 will be done. Again, see our web site for details on these.
Lastly, the SP AC9 should be produced by November 2013. Look for more details on our web site as we get closer to production.
Regarding some of our other offerings: We may have to disappoint those of you that stuck your necks out and reserved models. Seems there is a lack of interest in several of our offerings that we may have to pull from the list. Included in this list are the:
Sierra #38 and B&O P-7. We don't understand where the customers went for the B&O P-7, but we may have to side step this one. Better to reserve these if you were wanting them, otherwise we can't go into production without enough reservations.
I know this is a mouthful of information, but we aim to make the models you want, at a price that is reasonable with fantastic detail and quality too.
Please support our efforts by reserving the models you wish to buy. Then we can move forward confidently with these projects.
Best Regards,
Scott Mann - China
