El Capitan - The Amtrak Version

Wow nice train

 

clem

congrats!!

Hope you have really big curves if you're going to convert to Kadee.

What are we talking here for it to work? I know its bigger than 72, but the couplers on the cars are just crap. I had to rubberband the springs up to get most of them to close and stay shut. I can run on 120/96 compound curves at the club. I figured that would be big enough, but havent done any experimenting yet. (I guess I need to read the other thread again).

If you remove the thumb tacks they will stay closed. The tack is so heavy its pulling the uncoupling tab down, which is much thinner than previous versions. The problem will be if you close the gap with Kadees, making the diaphrams touch. In the curves the bottom of the diaphragm frame will cause derailments because there is no give. You'll either have to use long shank Kadees and leave a gap between diaphragms, or move the standard Kadee further out to create that gap.

Once I removed all the thumb tacks, they stayed closed, and very minimal gap between cars.  I ran mine on a club layout 099 and bigger.... the cars still dont like "S" curves because of the diaphragm frame. Just my suggestion... Id remove thumb tacks and make sure the uncoupler tab is bent up and NOT down.

I finally got a chance to unpack and run my Santa Fe set last week and had issues with a few of the cars that will need to be resolved with GGD.

 

However, constant uncoupling was one of them. It happened a lot, on different cars at different spots on the layout. I can't even say it has anything to do with the heavy weight of the train since most of the time it was near the rear of the train. At one point I was only pulling 5 cars and the last 3 came loose.

 

I think I'm going to try the rubber band solution first before moving to the removal of the thumb tacks.

Very nice set and because of the low production numbers, should be quite rare.

Removing the thumb tacks will not only resolve the uncoupling issue, they will look a lot better too

Just about everyone of my cars had an issue with the couplers out of the box and many of the tabs that hold the thumb tacks were bent. This batch was a much thinner material. A couple were bent so bad that I swapped them out with older, thicker versions from my parts box.

If you take the tab off, you will find that most of the time, there is nothing wrong with the coupler itself. Its all caused by the thumb tack and the tab it attaches to.

I ran an 18 car train on a 2.5% grade with no coupler issues... but all the thumb tacks were gone.

I agree and I will probably get there eventually.

Beautiful train. Enjoy

3.  So between us we have 2 of the 3.

 

I'm doing the same thing with Atlas Amtrak CZ cars.  A Dome Lounge (a Dome coach is wrong), Diner and one each 6-5 and 10-6 Sleepers will do for the present.

Jeff at JD's Trains is #3. It also appears to mean that I have the sole 3 rail set.

That is a beautiful set! After seeing these pictures, I really wish I had an Amtrak version. Also, is there a drumhead on the rear? (I'm not sure if the real one had a drumhead or not, just curious)... If so, could you post a picture of the drumhead?

We have replacement Coupler Keeper Plates. They are spring steel, but many got mangled in shipping to where they are permently bent. One screw to replace them is all that is needed.

 

Email me for replacements. No charge.

 

As for more Amtrak, it's not going to happen. We only made 3 sets of Amtrak, 2 X 2 Rail sets and 1 - 3 Rail Set.

 

I have been negotiating with the factory for the 2nd Run. Things are looking good, but there may be a small increase due to the actual cost of making these fine scale cars. Once I have documents in hand I will make a formal announcement.

 

Scott Mann - China

"As for more Amtrak, it's not going to happen. We only made 3 sets of Amtrak, 2 X 2 Rail sets and 1 - 3 Rail Set."

 

You three are lucky guys!!

Tell me again why painting a set in Amtrak colors is not possible?

Way to go Scott!! 

I knew I should have gotten my set in Amtrak.  They look great!  I did order a baggage car in Amtrak though.  Waiting on it to arrive.

because not enough people committed to them

 

Come on now..... tell me that don't look better with no thumb tack

 

 

Amtrak - Very nice looking passenger cars.

Gary

• Cheers from The

Dude thats sick!

I HAVE OPENED UP RESERVATIONS FOR THE AMTRAK 8 CAR SET.

 

RESERVATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 30th.

 

Make your reservations here.

 

http://www.goldengatedepot.com/reservation.htm

 

Scott Mann

Sure Scott.  Thanks a lot!  While my heart says AWESOME, my wallet is crying.  I'm checking the website now.

Yes!

Done!

Ordered ..... I hope it comes out sometime next year!

It's all about the "DEAL". They wanted more cars in our order, so  I said, then you will have to paint some Amtrak. They said OK.

 

3 more sets ordered so far.

 

Scott - China

One more thing.... now that we've doubled the number of Amtrak orders, if you rerun the Super Chief cars for the combined train, can you make the Amtrak version of those as well? 

Great looking set.

       
       


I know I could paint a set; no desire..

But still really cool.

 

 

Way to go Scott.  As happy as I was when I was able to order and then take delivery of my El Cap cars, I am equally as happy for all the guys that were given a second chance for both the El Caps and the Amtrak version. 

 

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED !!! 

 

RD, That includes YOU.  Now get back to work on those wider curves.

 I bet I could sell five to ten sets of them in 1/32 scale too! Incase you're exploring more options!!

You got that right Jim!!
This rules out the island and means around the room for the new layout for sure.... and the passenger station now has to go on the long wall! 

It looks like I am in for sure and don't have to do anything but wait....

Scott has addressed all my questions directly in my ""2nd run"" thread a little further down. All while in China working the deal to get us the best price.. way to go Scott!!

 

On the Pacific Parlour cars, if those can't be produced, how about lounge cars without letterboards & lettering?

 

Steve

All the extra lounge cars for the first run were Santa Fe.  Doing undecorated is considered a separate item and something the builder balks at.

Now, if someone can talk Microscale into making their HO Pacific Parlour Car decals in O scale let me know.  I agreed to buy an entire run of Phase V decals and they still said no.

Why did Microscale say no?  Their custom shop is usually very easy to work with.  Of course it's been a few years since I did a custom run with them.

Highball Graphics will print you anything you need.