Calling American Models E8 owners...

I don't have the Santa Fe E8's, but I do have:

 

As far as chrome vs. no chrome, it's a personal choice.  I have a couple of hirail chrome passenger sets...

 ...but personally I prefer the painted silver of my scale sets.

Man, I can't believe I never shot an updated picture of the Burlington set after I got a better camera...

 

As far as adding figures, the floor is held on by 6 screws, the body is one piece.  Once out, the interiors are attached to the floor.

 

Sound on the AC units, if it's anything like the FP7's, is underwhelming.

 

Rusty

One more thing...

 

The pilots on the AM E8's have an insert to plug the coupler opening.  I think the "trailing" unit doesn't have it installed on the hirail units.  For scale operation, I modify them for installation of a snap-lock coupler:

 

Rusty

Rusty

 

Are the chrome cars a challenge to keep free of fingerprints and what not?  Also, I believe the AM catalog states chrome cars weight a pound +, do you have any issues pulling all the cars?  I will probably get both powered units. 

 

I wonder if AM will do the Alco PAs again in "DX". 

 

Ben 

Yeah, the chrome cars can get a little "printy."  I have that problem with my AM Santa Fe warbonnet F7's.

 

I've bought the complete 7 car sets for all my Budd cars.  I haven't had any problems with a pair AM E8's(scale,) pair of AM PA's(hirail,) pair of powered AM FP7's with a dummy B(hirail) or with 2 or 3 SHS F7's(scale.)  I've never tried any of them with a single unit. 

 

Surprisingly, a single motored Flyonel EP5 will also walk away with 7 cars.  My hirail running is Carpet Central type of stuff...

 

My AM scale Northern slips a bit with a full load of 7 cars on my sorta-level track.

 

The Hirail AM units do have their "Gription" traction tires, so pulling shouldn't be an issue.

 

As far as AM reissuing the PA's with DX, it would be nice.  I passed (at the time to my regret) on the Santa Fe's and later picked up a pair of New Havens by a stroke of luck.

 

Rusty

Found this picture on a FB group taken by Walter Olson. The chrome engines are really sharp looking.  I have the Lackawanna unit, runs great.   Roger

I have the Illinois Central set and a set of chrome cars that I put Pennsylvania decals on to go with the chrome GG1 they made.  I have really no trouble with the chrome.  It "is what it is" so you wipe them off when needed.  

 

The AM diesel sound is good, but not as good as recent Flyonel.  One should expect that as AM doesn't work that hard at sound.

 

You should get what would make you happiest.  

 

Chromed looks flashy, but silver paint looks more realistic.

 

Deciding which you prefer is something you will have to determine in view of what works best for your tastes.

Hello Ben,

 

I noticed that you might be interested in an American Models Budd UP set. I am selling some S gauge items for the family of a deceased friend and have a used UP Budd 4 car set that is AF compatible. They are used but in excellent condition. I also have an AM SD-60 and GP-35 in UP AC/HR and a SHS F-3 AB set in UP, plus a couple of AM steamers. Let me know if you or possibly anyone else is interested these items. Hopefully I did this correctly. Thanks!

 

Jim

Jim, send me an email.  It's in my profile. Ben

Jim,

Please send me an email.  My address is in my profile.

 

You might want to add your email to your profile so people can contact you.

 

Thanks, Mike A.

Ben, I have an E8+Budd car set in UP and one in PRR with the chrome cars. Those chrome  cars are spectacular but to me are toy like. I would recommend the silver finish. I never had a fingerprint issue but I rarely handle them. I am a PRR fan but I like the UP set better. 

The bell and horn are ok. There is limited room in the engine to convert the electronics to TMCC/Railsounds 5. The only way to do it if you want full capability is to buy two units, gut one and put all the electronics in the second unit And use a tether.  There is no traction issue with the Gripton tires. Ed just did this conversion for me on an Alco FA-2 A/B set. It now is the best running and sounding engine I have second only to the newest Lionel Legacy releases. 

Ben, amother thought.  Ed converted a single unit Alco PA for me. All that would fit was Cab1 and a very basic Railsounds. There is a night and day difference between this conversion and the full up TMCC/ Railsounds 5 mentioned above. My PA was originally a 2 unit set so I am now thinking about having it redone like the FA-2. As you likely know, If you plan on converting to TMCC just get the cheaper DC engine. 

Tom

It would definitely get converted!

Ben

Good plan! Call Ron B directly and see if you can get the second unit unpowered. He did that for me with the FA-2 set. Saves some money and you definitely need two units for the full conversion. Better email Ed and get in his schedule as well!