3rd Rail New Annoucements And China Update

Frank A. Diesel and Tom B. Diesel

 I didn't see it!!

Of course with the pain killers, I'm lucky I can read at all. Carry on.

(I thought it was you Frank!)

I'd be in on a modern one Mr. Mann

I do like your steamers even if I model the modern stuff. Maybe another one someday....

Great update! Where else can you get such a personal touch and an inside look at the manufacturing process. It is amazing how much work goes into our toys. Very cool.

Can't wait to get the RDC in my hands!

As Bob Heil mentioned earlier, the first run road names are EMD Demonstrator, Erie, Lackawanna, Santa Fe Warbonnet, Santa Fe Freight, D&RGW, Burlington, and Great Northern. 

If enough orders come in, there will likely be a second run of new road names too!

If there are Lackawanna FT's will there be Short Boosters???

SAM

Probably not initially, since the original Lackawanna FT sets were delivered in A-B + B-A configurations. The same thing applies to the Burlington, who received A-B + B-A FT sets, then later purchased F2A units in order to ave A-B-A trios of A-B FTs with an F2A on the other end.

GN and Erie? Ouch. I felt that in my wallet. Decisions, Decisions...

No.

I think Great Northern was the only other railroad to have short FT boosters.

Rusty

Will Santa Claus have cat whiskers?

Allan

No but will be appropriately dressed in red with silver substituting for white in his original costume.

Will the Erie FT's come in the as delivered as new paint scheme

As compared to what OTHER Erie paint scheme?

I just learned yesterday doing some research that the Erie scheme as delivered by EMD was all black with just yellow stripes.  The yellow nose was added very early into delivery of the units and is the scheme that stuck with them until the early 60's when FTs started getting turned in for newer power.  The plan is to have the yellow nose version of paint scheme, which is more or less as-delivered.

On the flip side, Lackawanna was delivered with Yellow lettering against the grey sides and it didn't read at all.  That was quickly changed to the more familiar maroon.

On George Elwoods website is a picture of a Erie FT in 1946.It has the wings with the Erie diamond on the front and the Erie diamond on the side.There was no yellow paint on the cowl of the cab at that time

Well, lookee here...

Rusty

Well, I am always open to learning new things!  Didn't realize the original paint lasted that long.  I guess the question is, what is the most desired paint scheme on the Erie units? 

That is very true, however that particular scheme really didn't last all that long, i.e. 5 or 6 years? I saw, and photographed, the well renowned Erie paint scheme with the yellow on the top of the nose (in the late 1950s), and THAT "later" scheme was/is a LOT better looking than the "as delivered" scheme, in my opinion. 

IMHO the yellow nose version is probably the more popular amongst Erie fans. Myself included.  It is the most widely known. I don't mind the as delivered scheme, but I prefer the yellow nose.

It's amazing what a little research can uncover. It's always good to have the facts. It avoids having to put one's foot in one's mouth... It reminds me of an old saying "It is better to be quiet and thought a fool than speak and remove any doubt".

As delivered should be the expected livery.  Jonathan will be at York.  He is the artiste.  Go forth and speak.

If there is a significant number of folks who would prefer a later one now is the time to lobby.  The PRR and NYC E7s were done in in multiple schemes because lots of folks reserved both.

I would assume the ATSF freight units would be cat whiskers as delivered.  They were not changed to the cigar band until 1950.

So, the FTs are on the 3rd Rail website for reservation.  Only a 6 week reservation period ending 1 December.