Elusive Sunset 3rd Rail SP P-10

I have a Sunset/3rd Rail SP P-10, @2478, and it is VERY nicely done. I did NOT want the version with the "Daylight" painted tender. I use my P-10 to pull the Weaver 20", two-tone gray SP Pullman Bradley passenger cars.

Concerning the NP "W" class 2-8-2 models, those have not been delivered nor scheduled for production,,,,,yet.

Thanks Hot Water!  So yours has the skyline casing?  What are the odds of getting a photo some time?  Now that I know you are an SP guy, as you have commented/corrected some of my other posts, I'm wondering if you could help me on something else.  The 3rd Rail MT-4's were done with a black smoke box rather than graphite, which is what I have seen in photos.  Would the black ever be correct for this model or was it just a shortcut or oversight during production?

I am hoping the NP "W" class will get resurrected.  My comment was more directed at the fact that an actual model was shown when it first appeared so I was wondering if the P-10 with the skyline casing was the same deal, just a picture but never actually produced.  I see there is a standard P-10 on the Bay, which has been there for a couple years and looks to be a complete wreck.  Everything about it looks wrong to me as if it's not even the right model.  Even the drivers look wrong, but then again I can't zoom in enough and keep it clear.  Maybe it's just the horrible paint job someone gave it.  It does show as engine 2478 though.  I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.  Thanks again!

1) No skyline casing. Just because it is a P-10, doesn't mean they all had skyline casings.

2) I just checked my Sunset/3rd Rail model of the SP MT-5 (#4373) and it has the smoke box and firebox sides correctly painted (silver/light gray/graphite). The front door assembly of the smoke box, is painted silver. Upon checking photos of various SP MT class locomotives, it seems to be all over the map, whether they got painted, graphite, silver, or  flat/high temp. black. A lot seemed to depend on where the specific locomotive was assigned, during which years. 

1) Correct about not necessarily having a skyline casing, but my whole question was based on a photo and the box label that said P-10, P-10 Daylight and P-10 black with skyline casing.  I believe the P-8 was also listed.  I specified the skyline casing version in my post, but I should have made it clearer in the title.  Sorry for the confusion.  Anyway, I just don't want to keep hunting for something that doesn't exist if that is the case.  If you haven't seen one either then it may have been cancelled and never produced.

2) Thanks for checking your MT-5.  That is how I was expecting the MT-4's to look, but wanted someone with more knowledge to validate it.  I was about to break out the airbrush and change it, but if you have photos that show some black then I may leave it.

Thanks again!

How about sending an email to Sunset/third rail? They might answer your question as to whether these were made or not.

audidriven,

I've been going thru some of my SP books, and finally came across two photos of P-10 class Pacifics. One shot shows the 2485 with the skyline casing AND the skirts, on the San Joaquin Daylight, and appears to be painted in "Daylight styling", (no date on photo, but looks like 1940s).

The second photo is of a double headed Sacramento local with 8 cars; MT-1 Mountain #4303 is the lead locomotive and P-10 Pacific #2482, with skyline casing (but no skirts) is the second locomotive, and appears to be painted black. Photo date is 1947.

I'm absolutely positive that Sunset/3rd Rail did indeed produce the model of the P-10 with skyline casing AND skirts, painted in Daylight styling, maybe even road number 2485. Trying to find that elusive model made be a different story!

Here is the 3rd Rail advertisement.

http://www.3rdrail.com/images/cat0405.pdf

What is skyline casing? BF

It is a thin wrapping put around the meat to make hot dogs at a factory located on the Skyline Drive in Virginia. I don't know what it would be called in Wisconsin.

It is also the shroud around the various domes running along the top of the boiler to give a semi-streamlined effect.

Hot Water, It's that photo of the black painted model without side skirts that I want.  I do have the skirted San Joaquin Daylight model, but there is just something about those unskirted SP engines with the skyline casing that appeals to me, even more than any Daylight painted engine.  Just my opinion.

Gerry, I actually have that brochure, which was just one more piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, it was still prior to production.

Sasquatch, I can't help you here!

audidriven,

I also prefer the P-10 with ONLY the skyline casing. I'm sure that if Scott did actually make that model (assuming he got enough reservations/orders), I would think the road number would be right around 2582.

Don't worry about Sasquatch, he is beyond help anyway.

Look at what I found gents!  Check out this link!

http://www.3rdrail.com/sp-pac-web/p10sky.jpg

I found the printout from a few years ago and the web address was on the bottom.  Okay Hot Water, this is what I have been hunting for.  It shows a 3 rail model, but could it be just a prototype or can I assume that it truly exists and NO ONE wants to part with it?  I sure wouldn't.  This is one handsome engine!

Sasquatch, were you serious about the skyline casing or are you on the Yeti comedy tour?

Not precisely a P-10, but close:

VERY nice. But, if it isn't a P-10,,,,what is it?

No prototype, but as close to USRA as you can get.  Lobaugh origins- I have them in semi-P-8 configuration, as well as NYC K-11.  Easy to modify, but the boiler needs a 1/4" extension - tough to do without a lathe.  May someday do one as a Southern PS-4.

Bob was nice enough to explain it to me. Thanks tho. Bob your first answer sounds much better then the second.  BF

I understand.  A Lobaugh Pacific might just as well be a Greek Pacific on this forum - but they were a mainstay on the 2-rail circuit six decades ago.

Same model with slightly different details:

I'm glad you got it Sasquatch.  Maybe we'll cross paths again on some crazy topic like Lionel's SS Minow edition. 

Hot Water, did you see my link above for the photo of the elusive P-10?  I was just wondering what your thoughts are on it.  It looks great to me.

Bob2, that engines looks pretty darn close to my Daylight P-10, especially if you add the bell.

audidriven,

Yes I did see your link. I sure wouldn't mind having a second SP P-10 with the skyline casing, but I have never seen one for sale. I'll check at the March Meet, this Saturday. You never know.

Audidriven, the picture you posted is, I believe, for the 3rd Rail "S" scale P-10. Here is the link.

http://www.3rdrail.com/s_scale.html

Gerry, you just made a grown man cry. BF

Gerry, it sure looks to be the same photo, but I'd swear I found mine about 4 years ago when I first got into this scale.  Would the S scale models have those huge wheel flanges?

Sasquatch, if you are referring to me as the grown man crying, you are surely correct!  That would be my luck so I shouldn't be surprised if it is an S scale model. 

These models do pop up from time to time so just keep your eyes open.   I will let you know if I come across any as well.  They actually have TMCC and Railsounds and not QSI.  I can't speak for the smoke unit as I don't turn mine on?  I know the 2 you are referring to.   One was a complete wreck.  I bought the Daylight 4-4-2 from the same people and it isn't pretty.   I will need to redo it when I get some ambition.  

If Scott ever does another run of SP Pacifics I would like to see him make the Daylight P-14 as it is so unique.   I don't think he can ever lose out with any Daylight model.

This has nothing to do with SoPac unless they owned RDC-2's as shown in that 3rd Rail

catalog somebody kindly posted, in which case, were those made?  I wanted an RDC-3 and held out for that..and thought 3rd Rail only produced RDC-1's?  I still think I will have to kitbash a scale length RDC-3 from Lionel? or K-Line? versions....

The loco I saw catalogued and never saw one, was a C&O Pacific (I'd MUCH have

preferred a Mikado) with all the gingerbread, flying pumps, brow-mounted Elesco, and

coal-fired Vanderbilt tender....now I don't remember if it was pictured by MTH or Lionel?

Produced?

for some reason the photo isn't coming through, at least not on my computer.  Would it be possible to email me the photo at nkordo@cpinternet.com?

Thanks,

Nick

let's try this one.

Thanks for reposting.  I was actually looking for the one with the skyline casing in all black, but I am also interested in this one depending on the price.  Can you please have your friend contact me if he is willing to sell it?

After all this time I have yet to have anyone confirm that the skyline version even exists.  

Thank you,

Nick

Nick -

e-mail me from my profile if you are interested and I will give you his contact information. It really was a pretty little engine, would love to see it get a good home.

Email sent.  Thank you!