GGD SEABOARD AIR LINE SILVER METEOR (and PRR Cars) PRICES ANNOUNCED!!!

Hi everyone, I'm in for a silver meteor set, glad to see the add on PRR pool cars and the RF&P coach. However the train also had 5-2-2 sleepers and 11 double bedroom sleepers. Also because of the train splitting and half going to Miami and half going to St. Petersburg the train had 2 diners. It would be nice to get one more sleeper type, and a separate sale diner to replicate this train as seen during that time period. Not the end of the world if this can't happen but just curious to read any opinions on this. 

Thanks,

David

David:

- what time period did the Meteor have two diners ?

- were they identical ? If yes, extra diners may be a possibility. If no, probably won't happen

BobH.,

Consists lists (after 1956, from Larry Goolsby's book Seaboard Air Line Passenger Service, The Streamlined Era, page 136) show 2 diners (SAL #6102 and 6104) on the northbound Meteor (PRR 114), Feb 12, 1962.  This train had 1 engine (GG1) and 17 lightweight cars (8 sleepers).

Southbound SAL 57, Dec 3, 1964 (page 137), show 2 diners (FEC Fort Matanzas and SAL 6103), 3 engines (2 E8s and 1 E7), and 19 lightweight cars (9 sleepers).

Northbound SAL 58, May 29, 1967 (page 137), shows 2 diners (SAL 6103 and 6108), 3 engines and 13 lightweight cars (5 sleepers).

Couldn't find any reason why 2 diners, other than these trains and a good amount of sleepers mixed in.

Bob Delbridge posted:

Mike, The RF&P 10-6 sleeper probably did exist, but during the course of researching the Silver Meteor I only concentrated on those cars, of which the PRR Budd 52-seat coach and Budd 10-6 sleeper, and the RF&P 52-seat coach, were built at the same time.

It's most likely not the same configuration as the Budd 10-6.  I REALLY wanted the Pullman 10-6 so I could have the SAL PORTSMOUTH, but it would have required a different extrusion for the body.

RF&P did order 10-6 sleepers for the PRR/RF&P/SAL service. The RF&P owned the Essex, Chesterfield and Lancaster, all built by Pullman in 1949. 

Generally, lightweight cars with silver letter boards were for SAL service, and purple letter boards for ACL/FEC service.

Might be too late to add these, especially since they are Pullman and not Budd. 

Larry, it's been said Scott (or probably his contractor) doesn't want to do single cars, but I sure would love a Seaboard Pullman 10-6 sleeper with PORTSMOUTH on the side.  I wonder if the interiors were the same, I doubt it.

Bob,

The Pullman RF&P and SAL sleepers were built at the same time in 1949, so more than likely they would all be plan 4140-A. The SAL also had Budd build 6 10-6 sleepers in 1949, but don't know their floor plan arrangement. 

Larry,

The 1949 Budd 10-6 Sleeper is the one coming in the set:

Here's the floor plan for the Pullman 10-6:

Is it possible to find out how many RRs bought the 4140-A cars?  If so, maybe there will a future train offered that includes the Pullman sleeper and SAL and RF&P can be done like the PRR and RF&P coach is being done in this current SAL 6-car set

Everything I have indicates that SAL/SCL/Amtrak, and RF&P were the only RRs that had the 4140A plan cars.

The SAL cars passed on to SCL, then Amtrak, could have been altered so much that the interiors were totally different.

Bob,

There was a web page called ThePullman Project, I think, that listed every Pullman heavyweight and lightweight sleeper built. Plan 4140-A was popular, especially in the South. Let me look back through the data and I will see how many railroads would be represented. I think there would be plenty to choose from, question would be minimum order per car. 

rheil posted:

David:

- what time period did the Meteor have two diners ?

- were they identical ? If yes, extra diners may be a possibility. If no, probably won't happen

If you go to jacksonvilleterminal.com you can find information about the diners plus all the other cars on the SM, and trains of the ACL, southern and a little on the seaboard/L&N's gulf wind. This is an HO historical/ railroad modeling club and museum.

the types of diners are listed there. From the late 40's on the seaboard started using 2 diners. this was because of the split in wildwood. One diner went to St. Petersburg, the other to Tampa. There is more detail on the web link if you want to read it. From 1947 on the diners were usually identical.

Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

rheil posted:

David:

- what time period did the Meteor have two diners ?

- were they identical ? If yes, extra diners may be a possibility. If no, probably won't happen

If you go to jacksonvilleterminal.com you can find information about the diners plus all the other cars on the SM, and trains of the ACL, southern and a little on the seaboard/L&N's gulf wind. This is an HO historical/ railroad modeling club and museum.

the types of diners are listed there. From the late 40's on the seaboard started using 2 diners. this was because of the split in wildwood. One diner went to St. Petersburg, the other to Tampa. There is more detail on the web link if you want to read it. From 1947 on the diners were usually identical.

Correction: when the train split in wildwood one section went to Miami, the other to St. Petersburg  via Tampa. 

So, what's everybody going to use for motive power on their Meteor?

I have a 3rd Rail E7 lettered for Seaboard so that's going to be my main engine, have another E7 (Williams) also in SAL paint in case 2 are required!

Bob Delbridge posted:

So, what's everybody going to use for motive power on their Meteor?

I have a 3rd Rail E7 lettered for Seaboard so that's going to be my main engine, have another E7 (Williams) also in SAL paint in case 2 are required!

I pre ordered 1 E8 and 1 E9 from sunset models to pull mine. I will also consider painting an mth E6 B unit dummy so I have 3 units. Too Bad I missed the 3rd rail E7's. Can't wait to get this set! 

Thought I'd resurface this for any newcomers who might be interested.

Bob H or Scott M...any updates on the Silver Meteor?

Also, the ad still says "60-seat coach", but the Budd coaches depicted were 52-seats versions.

I'm getting antsy, I need to start figuring out where I'm going to install a shelf to display it

Bob Delbridge posted:

Thought I'd resurface this for any newcomers who might be interested.

Bob H or Scott M...any updates on the Silver Meteor?

Also, the ad still says "60-seat coach", but the Budd coaches depicted were 52-seats versions.

I'm getting antsy, I need to start figuring out where I'm going to install a shelf to display it

I emailed Scott about a month ago regarding this set. He said it will be produced after the Sunset and Empire builder sets are produced. Seems we got a wile to wait. So what consist did you order? I'm in for the 6pk plus one of each of the add-ons. 11 cars total..... 12 if Scott will do the extra diners. 

Good question regarding the coaches. I would like an answer to that too.

I'm getting the 6-car set plus one of the RF&P coaches.  I hope I can expand my layout  to the entire upstairs so I can run this thing if not, it'll be put on display (if I can get along enough shelf).

I know the drawings indicated 52-seats, just want to make sure the correct info gets out to everyone.

Bob Delbridge posted:

I'm getting the 6-car set plus one of the RF&P coaches.  I hope I can expand my layout  to the entire upstairs so I can run this thing if not, it'll be put on display (if I can get along enough shelf).

I know the drawings indicated 52-seats, just want to make sure the correct info gets out to everyone.

Cool! I hope you can make enough room to run it. 

Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Bob Delbridge posted:

I'm getting the 6-car set plus one of the RF&P coaches.  I hope I can expand my layout  to the entire upstairs so I can run this thing if not, it'll be put on display (if I can get along enough shelf).

I know the drawings indicated 52-seats, just want to make sure the correct info gets out to everyone.

Cool! I hope you can make enough room to run it. 

You have any photos of your layout? 

i have copies  of 56 seat coaches from ted at ok engines.  i have tried to scan to this posting but cannot figure out how to copy it from scan 0002 to something i can use.   sorry..

PRRTrainguy posted:

i have copies  of 56 seat coaches from ted at ok engines.  i have tried to scan to this posting but cannot figure out how to copy it from scan 0002 to something i can use.   sorry..  

 

this is orig copy of Budd work order.  better late than never.

mikeg

Mike, Here's the drawing I sent BobH and ScottM for the 52-seat Silver meteor coach:

Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

Bob Delbridge posted:

I'm getting the 6-car set plus one of the RF&P coaches.  I hope I can expand my layout  to the entire upstairs so I can run this thing if not, it'll be put on display (if I can get along enough shelf).

I know the drawings indicated 52-seats, just want to make sure the correct info gets out to everyone.

Cool! I hope you can make enough room to run it. 

You have any photos of your layout? 

A few, I really need to concentrate on detailing and scenery, something I hate to do cause I have ZERO artistic ability.  Here's a diagram of the track plan:

The main loop is in a 12x12 space and the section south of the Wye is maybe 10' long (stairs are where the 88" measurement is shown).

There's yet another space south of the turntable that's probably 12x12 or longer, but it contains my workbench and a load of stuff that belonged to my wife (passed in 2014) that I need to pack up into smaller boxes.

Any new plan would only be an extension of the mainline, running around the perimeter of the upstairs.  Once I get it cleaned out I may get someone to come in and redo the sheetrock, plaster, and carpet, but I'd have to dis-mantle the layout for that to happen.

It could use it, this was done in pieces and shows it.

Hi Bob

According to this post the SM set is still scheduled for production??  Spoke to GGD today and they said not enough orders.  Can you say where we stand?  I did speak to Scott (via email) in late 2016 and he indicated the SM set was a go.

Best regards

Tommy

Tommy, last I heard it was scheduled for this year, 2017, and that they had enough orders.  Scott, or Bob Heil will have to step in and explain.

Thank you Bob for the quick reply.  I had preordered with Scott last year and was told today by his office person (via phone) that the Silver Meteor is not available.  I hope I misunderstood.  I'll try to email Scott or Bob Heil tomorrow.

Best regards

Tommy

Tommy, "Not Available" could mean a number of things, I'm thinking it's nothing more than actual production hasn't been started yet.  I had a couple of emails to/from BobH a few days ago and he said it was still on track to be done this year.

Still, I'd like to see an update from Scott M.

Hi Guys

As per suggested above, I should contact Scott M.  I did this on Thursday AM.  He replied promptly.  He stated that the Silver Meteor and cars have not been cancelled.  He also stated "there is confusion at the front desk".  He also mentioned a timetable for the shipping date.  Looks like a tentative date of early 2018.

OMG I hope I live that long.  Thanks to all of you that responded to my reply, I appreciate that.

Best regards

Tommy Thompson

I pretty much heard the same thing from Scott a few months ago, early 2018. It's a long way off but I'm sure well worth the wait

When it will be made is a combination of sufficient SM reservations combined with other compatible trains/cars to together meet the minimum.   Not even close right now.

Please go back to page 1 and read the first couple of posts.

The last I heard, which was only a week or so ago from Bob Heil ( feel better soon Bob!) was in line with those first few posts.

From Scott Mann's January 2017 Update (recieved this morning 1/9)

"GGD Silver Meteor Design to begin this quarter. Production in late 2017 planned. It's a GO!!!"

Jan

Here's the entire paragraph that Jan's speaking of:

A Quick Update of Projects:
- SP S-12 0-6-0 Models Arrive this week. Order Yours now, only a few left](http://www.3rdrail.com/instock.html#SPS12). We posted a new video of a test run at the factory. Come see.
- Announcing SP Hospital Car Paint Schemes. Click HERE.
- Sierra #38 Production is a GO!!!
- T&P 2-10-4 Production is a GO!!!
- E8/E9 Reservations are now full and closed. Any further reservations must be on stand-by. These are entering production now. We expect them in April.
- GGD 12-1 / 8-1-2 Sleepers will arrive in early February. Some roads are fully reserved, others not. See our web site for details.
- GGD O Scale Harriman Car Entering Production. Also, reservations closing soon.
- GGD GN Empire Builder and Great Dome Project Design is Done. We are planning production in 3rd Quarter of 2017.
- GGD Silver Meteor Design to begin this quarter. Production in late 2017 planned. It's a GO!!!

I'll be glad to see the Meteor.  Hope we get an opportunity to see the progress and make comments (they still need to fix the ad to read 52-seat coach vice 60-seat coach).

That Sun-Lounge car is going to be beautiful!!!

Can we get an update, have they started the design phase yet?

 Wonder if GGD could sell a few of these in Amtrak paint?  Perhaps some individual cars?

VistaDomeScott posted:

 Wonder if GGD could sell a few of these in Amtrak paint?  Perhaps some individual cars?

The data I provided has numbers for the Amtrak cars (as well as SCL), so yes it could be done.

Anyone wanting these in Amtrak should let GGD know.

I've asked Scott about this.  Let me ask again.  It would take probably about 10 set orders to get it done, but I'm only guessing at this point.

Wouldn't the skirts have to be removed for this set to be done correctly in Amtrak? 

^^^^

what he said. Unskirted, narrow diaphragms and no obs. car.

Id buy some cars, or some kind of "set" that had, say a sleeper, the sun lounge and some coaches. 

Wouldnt early phase 1 work with skirts on for Amtrak?

They were de-skirted by Seaboard. Amtrak cars wouldnt have skirts. 

Since Scott has previously suggested the PRR coaches wont have skirts, then those cars could be used for a basis of Amtrak coaches. 

If everyone is looking for a set of unskirted cars then it's not likely that this set will be offered in Amtrak for the amount of orders that would be received.  Just too much cost for such a low number of likely orders. 

SCL Budd observations did run in the early day of Amtrak.  The appeal to me of this set is that it's a way to get a small set of cars to fill in the gaps in my current Amtrak set such as the crew dorm and some variety on coaches and sleepers to balance my mostly PS smooth side fleet of GGD Amtrak cars.

Perhaps the alternative would be to request a set of cars from the Sunset Limited in Amtrak sans the RPO as they are all non-skirted cars and went into Amtrak Service.