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Here are some quick photos. Sorry for the mediocre quality, I didn’t have time to whip out the DSLR and instead took these with my iPhone....

In short summary, Another Home Run!

Two minor critiques...

1) the diaphragms lack any play (spring effect), while in some past models (the E8’s & 9’s come to mind) the diaphragms were multi part metal and had some minor flex to them. This allowed for ultra close coupling with short box/length Kadees to the extent that the diaphragms could be butted right up to each other for absolutely no gap between units.

2) I hate to be the one to point this out because it’s one of those “once you see it, you can’t unsee it” kinda things although ever so minor... The gal in charge of the “Main Street of the Northwest” forgot to dot her I’s; but it is the easiest of DIY fixes requiring only the smallest dot of white paint and a very steady hand.

Also, these are my first 3rd rail diesels since the 2nd run PA’s. I’m not sure if this is the first time Kadee mounting brackets have been included, but if so they are a welcome  addition to the parts bag! Here we’ve got a bolt on 3RS setup out of the box. Thank you Scott!!!

Finally, to all who have some on the way; you will be absolutely blown away with satisfaction when you unwrap them! And to those who don’t, you’re gonna have a real sore butt from sitting on that fence. 

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Last edited by BigJohn&theWork
@Oman posted:

Could it be the O-31 curve requirement? What is the minimum curve for these? I'm thinking of putting in an order for a possible 2nd run.

Well your big scale vision line diesels won't run on 0-31 I would think anyway.  These are 0-54 curves and O-72 turnouts which I think has more to do with the way the motor is connected to the trucks than anything to do with the couplers swing.  I'll post a video sometime this weekend.

@catnap posted:

Why is there glass missing on some of the portholes?

I am not sure if this was directed to any of the specific units photographed above but I can say that all portholes on my NP’s have glass in them. In some of the photos I took, they may look like they don’t, but it is really just that the glass is near perfectly clear. Also, I took better photos today and will post them after I have a chance to transfer them off of the camera. 

Those are beautiful engines.  Looks like they are sold out.  In my fleet, I don't own any 3rd rail engines, I am guessing mostly because of the required radius or the fact they are sold out upon delivery.    When Kirke was at Just Trains, I purchased one, but my 0-54 and the engines 0-54 did not work, and so I had to return it.

John

I am not sure if this was directed to any of the specific units photographed above but I can say that all portholes on my NP’s have glass in them. In some of the photos I took, they may look like they don’t, but it is really just that the glass is near perfectly clear. Also, I took better photos today and will post them after I have a chance to transfer them off of the camera. 

Thanks for setting the record straight. Taking another look I can see where the glass is so clear that it could give that illusion on all of the models pictured.

Anyhow, these are beautiful models. I especially like the NP's colors.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Ditto ....

On this project I know of two quality control issues one major and the other fairly minor.  What they were isn't at all important.  What is important is that they were fixed prior to shipping to the customer.  

Keep the pictures coming.

Scott emailed me and said that the road number boards on the Erie models weren't right and that he was having the correct ones done and shipped over. He said that they would install them before shipping to me. Can't ask for much more than that. Issues are bound to come up when the models are built on the other side of the planet. Scott does a good job IMHO. 

Last edited by jonnyspeed

Jonathan,

I didn't realize he called the Erie buyers on that.  Very cool.  We discussed it when they arrived and luckily it was easily resolved.  I hope the rest is done to your satisfaction when they arrive.  

Of course I have an AB set of PRR ones coming sometime in 2R.  Wish he had done CNJ, I really NEED those more than I need more PRR locomotives, but not the end of the world.  

-Other Jonathan

@clem k posted:

I sure do like Superwarp's Lightning Stripes, but I'm patiently waiting for my Amtrak rolling stock.  

Clem,

I don't think Amtrak F3s will make the second run, not likely for the 3rd run, and not looking good for the 4th!

I have the same dilemma at the moment with all the Amtrak offerings in trying to stay within a reasonable budget on Viewliners, Amfleet, phase III Slumbercoach, and E60s.  The ultimate answer will likely not be a reasonable budget....

@GG1 4877 posted:

That is one of the ones I wanted to order.  NdeM get so little love in this hobby and it was an amazing operation considering how creative the road had to be with the finances it had.  So glad to see the final photos.  Thanks for sharing!

Well, I see Scott is floating a short F3 second run. We (may?)now will have a nice opportunity to Have a later purchase of what the Budget wouldn't allow for run one. I myself will be considering the NDM F3 for the south Continuation of the MP Eagle. 
TrainBub

I just put this on the 2 rail forum so I thought I would here too.  While I'm leaning towards 3RS, I'm not there yet.  I do want to mention that 3rd Rail did the correct number boards for the Pennsylvania Railroad's F3s.  This had not been done by other manufacturers other than high end brass.  3rd Rail's N de M's F3s also had the streamlined number boards.  It looks like I should thank the N de M folks for pushing for their F3 since there may not have been enough PRR orders to do this unique feature.

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@CAPPilot posted:

I just put this on the 2 rail forum so I thought I would here too.  While I'm leaning towards 3RS, I'm not there yet.  I do want to mention that 3rd Rail did the correct number boards for the Pennsylvania Railroad's F3s.  This had not been done by other manufacturers other than high end brass.  3rd Rail's N de M's F3s also had the streamlined number boards.  It looks like I should thank the N de M folks for pushing for their F3 since there may not have been enough PRR orders to do this unique feature.

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Ron,

Originally the concept behind the project was to pick one of the 5 phases of F3 production and make it work for all roads.  As is typical with 3rd Rail work, that went out the window fairly soon when we all realized that most of the advertised road names couldn't fall into a single phase.  Then the decision was made to produce all but phase I F3s as they have the 3rd porthole in the center of the A units and would be a major tooling change.  Finally the project developed into who has done what and when.  Since a phase II (early) PRR F3 had not been done it seemed an obvious choice.  The big spotting difference as you point out is the FT style number boards.  While the PRR didn't own a lot of these early F3s, it was unique enough in the model world to make this choice.  PRR would go on to buy lots of F3s in all phases up and through the model transition to the F7.  For anyone who cares to know more, the late phase II F3 introduced the short roof fans that would continue through F9 production.  These early ones share the same fan design as the FT as well. 

Glad you are happy with them!  This was a fun project. 

Now it's into tooling for GP7/9s and there is a lot of variation on those as well especially anyone who wants a version of the flattened long hood of the GP7 which was common to CNJ, B&M, and CNW.  You won't likely see those in O anytime again.

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