GGD Run 2 Slumbercoaches Arrive

@GG1 4877 posted:

Arrived just today.  Just some time to take some quick snapshots out of the boxes after work tonight.  I am thrilled!  Would love to see other roads posted, especially the BN one which is new and any other ones!

Better pictures this weekend when I have time, but note the variations.  Amtrak is a former NP car, Burlington has full skirting to match the rest of the CBQ fleet, and the PC Sleepercoach has less berths based on the rebuilds that were done to older NYC cars.

I also picked up a NdeM 10-6 in this batch, but that others have posted that car already on another thread.  Wish I could have found a way to get more NedM cars, but that is a future project.  My Phase III Amtrak Broadway Limited is down to a diner and a dorm car to match the 1990's consist and a heritage lounge and a few heritage coaches to match a 1980's version.  Now I'm putting together a freelance PC Broadway but that is a long-term project as I need to repaint some cars.  The CBQ will go with my mix of Atlas CZ cars and GGD heavyweights for another freelance train.

That Amtrak car is looking nice. I can’t wait for mine to arrive !!!

Run 1 car in Amtrak Phase I for the fun of it.

Also from the wayback machine, GGD Pullman Standard 4-4-2 and coach.

The factory nailed the Amtrak car.  Color is spot on as are the graphics.  A definite home run!  It will look amazing with my 21" Lionel heritage Phase III cars and GGD Amfleets.  Might even use an Atlas Horizon dinette for a stand-in diner for the time being as that will make the train nearly complete.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Arrived just today.  Just some time to take some quick snapshots out of the boxes after work tonight.  I am thrilled!  Would love to see other roads posted, especially the BN one which is new and any other ones!

Better pictures this weekend when I have time, but note the variations.  Amtrak is a former NP car, Burlington has full skirting to match the rest of the CBQ fleet, and the PC Sleepercoach has less berths based on the rebuilds that were done to older NYC cars.

I also picked up a NdeM 10-6 in this batch, but that others have posted that car already on another thread.  Wish I could have found a way to get more NedM cars, but that is a future project.  My Phase III Amtrak Broadway Limited is down to a diner and a dorm car to match the 1990's consist and a heritage lounge and a few heritage coaches to match a 1980's version.  Now I'm putting together a freelance PC Broadway but that is a long-term project as I need to repaint some cars.  The CBQ will go with my mix of Atlas CZ cars and GGD heavyweights for another freelance train.

Absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait. BTW if you get the Lionel Amtrak phase III station sounds diner & remove the skirts it could work for your phase III broadway limited

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Absolutely fantastic! Can’t wait. BTW if you get the Lionel Amtrak phase III station sounds diner & remove the skirts it could work for your phase III broadway limited

I passed on it originally because I didn't want the station sounds.  However, in retrospect I probably should have picked it up.  There are no phase III O scale Amtrak decals out there as near as I can tell to repaint one.  I have a K-Line Phase I diner, but I have no plans to repaint that one.  I guess my passengers will have to settle on microwave Amtrak food for the foreseeable future. 

I can't wait to get mine! UPS says they are going to be here on the 11th, just in time for Christmas!

My 2 Amtrak Slumber coaches arrived today.  Definity amazing.  When will the SDP40f and E60CP return to the drawing board to go along with these?

E60CP is a dead project.  Less than 75 preorders from what I heard and between myself and another forum poster we had something like 15 of them.  That doesn't even quite translate into a brass project sadly.

I don't have any information on the SDP40F.  Would like to see it done too. 

Proper photos of my cars this afternoon after work and before the sun goes down.

I didn't grab any photos but my BN car turned out fantastic! Slowly building a BN/ Amtrak rainbow era train.

@GG1 4877 posted:

E60CP is a dead project.  Less than 75 preorders from what I heard and between myself and another forum poster we had something like 15 of them.  That doesn't even quite translate into a brass project sadly.

I don't have any information on the SDP40F.  Would like to see it done too.

Proper photos of my cars this afternoon after work and before the sun goes down.

SDP40F & Fp45’s would be a great engine to go with the 2024 El Capitan.

Better photos of my newest Slumbercoach / Sleepercoach additions.  Not pro photos by a long shot as I didn't get out my DSLR and tripod, but certainly better than the ones that I started this thread with!

Closeups of PC and Amtrak Phase III

Love the full skirting on the CBQ one.

Cell phone "selfies" of these extremely well executed cars.  Note the variation on the PC Sleepercoach as NYC sold all their Slumbercoaches to NP in 1964.  The Sleepercoach ended up running on the Broadway limited.  These cars did transfer to Amtrak and they simply were referred to as "Economy Sleepers".  I rode on them in the late '80's and early 90's but never knew there were two variations on this car until I did the work for GGD on these.  I can't say which version I got a berth on, but I can say that as an 18–23-year-old it was one my better travel memories when I was lucky enough to get a room over a coach seat!

@Will Ebbert posted:

I didn't grab any photos but my BN car turned out fantastic! Slowly building a BN/ Amtrak rainbow era train.

Photos please!

Guys...just a reminder to use the want to buy and / or the for sale forums if you are wanting to make deals or better yet use member profiles and contact each other that way rather than doing so in a thread.

Got my CBQ slumber coach.  Nice workmannship, will go nicely with my Atlas California Zephyr set.  Excellent detail under the car. 

I was looking at my invoice and I see a $30 container fee.  Does GGD charge $30 fee for every car ordered?

These are fantastic !

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

SDP40F & Fp45’s would be a great engine to go with the 2024 El Capitan.

There are a whole host of scale Amtrak Heritage and Phase1 sets that would go well with the SDP40F

From the GGD Amtrak El Cap to Lionels Amtrak Ph1 and latest release of Phase 3 sets. You still have K-Line Amtrak Phase1 and Atlas Os San Francisco Zephyr!

Oh did I mention several Amtrak paint schemes as well as EMD test beds and ATSF rebuilds?

Those PC cars look good!

They really work well, too!...

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Reminds me of my severe pain of '3rd Rail withdrawal'.  I need to order SOMETHING from Scott...SOON!!  Why should everyone else have all the fun and excitement!?!?!?

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Thanks for sharing...and congratulations...Scott AND lucky owners!

My phase III slumbercoach on amtraks Montrealer

@GG1 4877 posted:

Love the full skirting on the CBQ one.

One thing I've never liked about the extruded aluminum passenger cars is the lack of detail on the skirting. It's great to see GGD doing the access cutouts in the skirts. Now if they can just add separation lines for the various skirt panels and vent screens for the underfloor A/C condensors. Atlas really nailed skirt details on their CZ cars but of course they are plastic and are produced in higher volumes than the GGD cars.

Ken

@kanawha posted:

One thing I've never liked about the extruded aluminum passenger cars is the lack of detail on the skirting. It's great to see GGD doing the access cutouts in the skirts. Now if they can just add separation lines for the various skirt panels and vent screens for the underfloor A/C condensors. Atlas really nailed skirt details on their CZ cars but of course they are plastic and are produced in higher volumes than the GGD cars.

Ken

That is a challenge with the Aluminum cars at this price point in today's market.  I agree the Atlas cars are outstanding and so much more can be achieved in plastic injection tooling.  It can be done on aluminum cars, but it is all manual labor which just adds to the cost.  Even the rivets we saw on the MOPAC Eagle cars have limitations in Aluminum tooling. 

It doesn't sound like Atlas will be doing another run of CZ cars sadly.  I have about eight in different road names, and they are wonderful.  However, Atlas no longer has access to that tooling from what I hear.  Lionel's 21" cars, while generally nice tooling also do not have this detail on the skirting.  A missed opportunity there.

Wasn't Wasatch doing a brass run of highly accurate CZ cars?  Whatever happened to that?  Still in the works?    

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

My phase III slumbercoach on amtraks Montrealer

That looks awesome!!

The answer to skirt detailing on aluminum cars could be etched brass skirts either on certain parts (hinged compartments,etc) or a full etched skirt that attaches to the frame (think skirts on F and E diesels). It would raise the price, but it would be a great improvement IMO.

@GG1 4877 posted:

Run 1 car in Amtrak Phase I for the fun of it.

Also from the wayback machine, GGD Pullman Standard 4-4-2 and coach.

I wish the 4-4-2 sleeper and coach were rerun!

Love the Slumbercoaches, bought 2.  Now we need more cars to compliment the Slumbercoach and the Amfleet / Viewliner cars by GGD.  Hoping that GGD produces a run of Amtrak Heritage fleet cars in phase 3,  and pre HEP rebuild phase 1.

1)  Heritage baggage car (could be offered in all paint schemes Amtrak operated as they were the final Heritage car type to be retired a few years ago)

2) Bedroom Dorm (see example of my #1616 made by OK Engines pictured below, and please search for images of the prototype series).  These cars were also previously Lounge Bar cars.

3) 10-6 Sleeper

4) Dining Car

5) Last but most important to me, a smoothside dome coach ex GN or NP series that were in use in phase 3 on trains such as The City Of New Orleans, Capitol Limited, Lakeshore Limited.   Also needs offered in Amtrak phase 1.  My attempt at modifying a K-line dome shown below.  Amtrak dome #9410 was originally GN #1331 and also served as Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RR #9410 Emerson Dome.

@GG1 4877 posted:

That looks awesome!!

Thank you! Now all the consist needs is a combine dorm & a proper 10-6 sleeper in phase III…. Hint hint…. Is it too late to ask for some of the Capitol limited cars to be done in phase III? Maybe the fluted 10-6, the kitchen/ diner & the combine dorm?

It would be great if Golden Gate Depot would offer Amtrak Phase 3 domes and other Heritage fleet equipment.  I have received one of two Slumber coaches purchased, and they are stunning and would definitely order so that I can grow my Amtrak Heritage GGD fleet.  

It is worth the ask.  I have been interested in the same thing and the Capitol cars would be good candidates.  It might help get the Capitol into production if there is enough interest. 

@MountainRail posted:

It would be great if Golden Gate Depot would offer Amtrak Phase 3 domes and other Heritage fleet equipment.  I have received one of two Slumber coaches purchased, and they are stunning and would definitely order so that I can grow my Amtrak Heritage GGD fleet.  

Careful what you wish for, you just might get it. but be prepared for possible sticker shock when it comes to Dome cars! $500,00 for the Amtrak Ocean View full dome and a few years later $800.00 for the 3/4 dome!

@GG1 4877 posted:

It is worth the ask.  I have been interested in the same thing and the Capitol cars would be good candidates.  It might help get the Capitol into production if there is enough interest.

Hi Jonathan,

Among the great things about GGD is that the authenticity of their products invites one to start thinking about how to put together authentic consists if the right products become available. Then we have Forums like this to share our ideas with others and see who else might be interested.

Off the top of your head, what would be authentic Amtrak consists that GG1s would have pulled, and what liveries of the GG1 would be appropriate for them?

Thanks,

Norman

@Norman R posted:

Hi Jonathan,

Among the great things about GGD is that the authenticity of their products invites one to start thinking about how to put together authentic consists if the right products become available. Then we have Forums like this to share our ideas with others and see who else might be interested.

Off the top of your head, what would be authentic Amtrak consists that GG1s would have pulled, and what liveries of the GG1 would be appropriate for them?

Thanks,

Norman

Norman,

That is a great question.  Amtrak GG1s pulled Amtrak trains from inception until 1981 when Amtrak retired them.  The last run of steam heated cars though was in 1982 and a pair of NJT GG1s, 4877 and 4879, did the honors on that train.  There are almost limitless consists of that era through. 

Amtrak GG1s had the following paint schemes:

• Amtrak Platinum mist with a variation on the bloody nose scheme.  All were numbered in the 900 series, but do not necessarily represent the 4 being dropped from the PRR / PC number.  All had the modified intakes.
• Amtrak Helvetica stenciled on the side of an all-black GG1.  Most of them in the 900 series again, but also some still retaining a 4-digit number with a 4 in the front.  Some odd renumbering still happened as one was 4939 and the highest numbered PRR GG1 was 4938.  Photos help.  Modifications on these units varied.
• Amtrak Helvetica stenciled on a DGLE with a single buff stripe PRR scheme.  These were units that still retained PRR paint. 
• Penn Central - both leased PC units and purchased ones that did not get repainted.  These were more common early on.
• PRR 4935 in 5 stripe DGLE - done in 1977 and operated in service until the end of Amtrak GG1 operations.  Went to the PRR Railroad Museum operable upon retirement and technically remained operable until transformers were finally removed in 2005.
• Amtrak ended up with all the highest numbered GG1s as they were the newest of the fleet.  NJT's stopped at 4884 and Amtrak eventually ended up with most of the numbers above that.

As for consists, any train that ran on the NEC from 1971-1981 would have had a GG1 pulling it.  This includes:

• Amfleet cars in Phase I and Phase II paint with a generator car that was typically a baggage car or a coach converted to have an HEP genset.  Lionel has tooling for an appropriate one that they offered with the Rio Grande Ski Train.  However, these cars came from lots of donors and no two were the same.  Some of these trains were used in Metroliner service while the original Budd cars were being rebuilt. 
• The through trains that terminated in Penn Station all got GG1s in DC or Harrisburg. This includes the Silver Meteor, Silver Star, the Crescent, The Broadway Limited, the National Limited, and several I'm certainly forgetting.  These would be fairly long trains, be a bit coach heavy, but would still have a crew dorm somewhere either at the head end or as part of a multi-unit diner, a lounge or two, and various combinations of sleepers.  PC added Sleepercoaches to the Broadway at its inception.  Slumbercoaches were added to several trains that never had them previously also.  Observation cars ran up until the mid 70's on various trains.
• GG1s ran north to New Haven as well so any of the Boston bound trains would be appropriate. 
• Off course, the Clockers had GG1s and were mainly former Congressional cars. 
• In general, any cars in Phase I or II Amtrak would be appropriate, but Hi Levels and dome cars did not run under wire.

While the true "Heritage Fleet" of rebuilt HEP long distance cars started in 1977 and introduced the phase III paint scheme, those trains were mainly pulled by E60CHs and later E60MAs as they came equipped with HEP gensets.   

Still disappointed on the cancelation of the E60, however there just wasn't enough interest so I get it.

Sorry for the long response!

Finally a decent photo of my 1st run Slumbercoach in Amtrak.  Sorry Greg ...

In all seriousness, Amtrak did well in the most recent run, and we continue to see increased popularity in this road name.  The nice thing about the Slumbercoach is that is a great filler car between major projects or when another project needs a few extra numbers to make it viable.  I can see this car running again in Phase I, III.  For some reason, I thought a few got painted into Phase IV paint as well even if they were retired in 1996 but I can't find any photos to prove that at the moment. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

Finally a decent photo of my 1st run Slumbercoach in Amtrak.  Sorry Greg ...

In all seriousness, Amtrak did well in the most recent run, and we continue to see increased popularity in this road name.  The nice thing about the Slumbercoach is that is a great filler car between major projects or when another project needs a few extra numbers to make it viable.  I can see this car running again in Phase I, III.  For some reason, I thought a few got painted into Phase IV paint as well even if they were retired in 1996 but I can't find any photos to prove that at the moment.

That Run 1 IS Nice.  
The idea of a “in between filler” run or a “tack on” to reach desired numbers are good strategies. Nice to see this used. 👍😉

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Careful what you wish for, you just might get it. but be prepared for possible sticker shock when it comes to Dome cars! $500,00 for the Amtrak Ocean View full dome and a few years later $800.00 for the 3/4 dome!

And now it would be $1K-$1.2K each.

@GG1 4877 posted:

...

Wasn't Wasatch doing a brass run of highly accurate CZ cars?  Whatever happened to that?  Still in the works?   

Yup.  Roger promises delivery in 2024.  But then there was 2023 and 2022 ...  He irregularly sends progress photos to reservation holders.  I will have a set to sell in P48 if/when they do arrive, very long story.  It's a second set so I will still have one.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

SDP40F & Fp45’s would be a great engine to go with the 2024 El Capitan.

Only slightly better response than the E60s got.  SDP40Fs could be done with FP45s but too many people say the MTH one is a better value meaning the 3rd rail version would be too expensive, discounting the fact that it is not available in 2-rail.  When my SD40-2s show up a couple of Conrail chassis will be used with the MTH shell and several MTH shells will be kit bashed into SDP40Fs on the BN chassis.  We shall see.

Also, with the delivery of the SD40-2s the overall cost to produce an FP45 and SDP40F is reduced very slightly as the chassis can be repurposed.  The tooling for the shells is more than half the cost and the SDP40F and FP45s shells are different enough to probably require completely different tooling.

Let Scott know your interest!

@rdunniii posted:

Yup.  Roger promises delivery in 2024.  But then there was 2023 and 2022 ...  He irregularly sends progress photos to reservation holders.  I will have a set to sell in P48 if/when they do arrive, very long story.  It's a second set so I will still have one.

You need an east bound and west bound Zephyr?

@rdunniii posted:

Only slightly better response than the E60s got.  SDP40Fs could be done with FP45s but too many people say the MTH one is a better value meaning the 3rd rail version would be too expensive, discounting the fact that it is not available in 2-rail.  When my SD40-2s show up a couple of Conrail chassis will be used with the MTH shell and several MTH shells will be kit bashed into SDP40Fs on the BN chassis.  We shall see.

Also, with the delivery of the SD40-2s the overall cost to produce an FP45 and SDP40F is reduced very slightly as the chassis can be repurposed.  The tooling for the shells is more than half the cost and the SDP40F and FP45s shells are different enough to probably require completely different tooling.

Let Scott know your interest!

The sad part is I have close to 10 FP45s from MTH and they are so woefully inadequate on the pilot, fuel tank, and detail on the side-frames.  I would gladly sell them if we could get enough interest in proper ones.  My Southwest Limited looks silly being pulled by E8s. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

You need an east bound and west bound Zephyr?

I also have an Atlas 2-rail set that I will keep until the Wasatch cars are in my hot little hands.