Got my OGR magazine today and right away saw the prominent back cover ad by Scott Mann's GGD for VIEWLINERS !!!! We heard it may be offered, pending enough orders will be made, and here they are!!! Let's order these guys, no one else is going to do new tooling these days. Thanks Scott for giving this a shot!
This made my day! My year actually!!!!
Went to the GGD site to place an order and ordering is not yet available on the page as of this hour.
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I got the Viewliners on on our web site. I have to let you all know that we are not able to do the Amfleet cars in Plastic. We expected many more car orders than we got. The total quantity of orders so far is only 400 Amfleet cars. To make this quantity we need to go to Aluminum construction. Not a problem, we know very well how to make Aluminum cars. But the per car price is higher than that of plastic. Viewliners will be the same construction, Aluminum. I hope that doesn't keep too many customers away. We will make a very nice car out of Aluminum. I will be emailing all those that reserved the Amfleet cars today.
Nothing is etched in stone as of what we produce, so make your suggestions to me by email.
Here's the web page:
http://www.goldengatedepot.com...rvation.html#AMFLEET
Thank You,
Scott Mann
My new order is in. I clicked on revise previous order.
Awesome Scott! Are you able to produce cars in the latest scheme discuss a while back? I think it's the Phase VI with the new Amtrak logo? If so, I will reserve some Amfleets and viewliners.
Just put my order in for a baggage, diner, and sleeper. Hoping this works out!
Mike DeBerg posted:Awesome Scott! Are you able to produce cars in the latest scheme discuss a while back? I think it's the Phase VI with the new Amtrak logo? If so, I will reserve some Amfleets and viewliners.
What he said.
also, there’s a distinction between Phase III and the new version of “Phase III” with the service mark and “Amtrak America” logo.
the VLIIs should only be in this new paint job, but when it’s listed as Phase III that reads to me as the Helvetica “Amtrak” logo and noodle script “Viewliner” that the VLI sleepers were delivered in.
Need a little clarification here to order correctly.
I’m sure Jonathan @GG1 4877 will chime in....
I would also be in for 2 of these Viewliners if done in Amtrak's Phase VI livery-- those are very popular cars on many trains throughout the US.
sdmann posted:I got the Viewliners on on our web site. I have to let you all know that we are not able to do the Amfleet cars in Plastic. We expected many more car orders than we got. The total quantity of orders so far is only 400 Amfleet cars. To make this quantity we need to go to Aluminum construction. Not a problem, we know very well how to make Aluminum cars. But the per car price is higher than that of plastic. Viewliners will be the same construction, Aluminum. I hope that doesn't keep too many customers away. We will make a very nice car out of Aluminum. I will be emailing all those that reserved the Amfleet cars today.
Nothing is etched in stone as of what we produce, so make your suggestions to me by email.
Here's the web page:
http://www.goldengatedepot.com...rvation.html#AMFLEET
Thank You,
Scott Mann
So since they will now be made in aluminum, will we get the Ball Bearing Trucks like the Full Dome?
I am doing an order as we speak. I have no issue with aluminum.
I sent an E-mail to Scott to see if he would also make a limited run of the Amtrak Business car 10001 and the "American View" Viewliner car.
Both are Business cars/"observation cars" with "10001" having an Open platform and "American View" Amtraks Theatre car.
BTW, What are the chances that Lionel would be advertising this car in the upcoming catalog next week!
Scott, are you going to offer the Viewliners in an 18-inch long version? I would love a Viewliner Baggage car to go along with my MTH 18” Superliners.
Pantenary posted:I am doing an order as we speak. I have no issue with aluminum.
I prefer aluminum. So do some others that were not ordering because of plastic.
VistaDomeScott posted:Pantenary posted:I am doing an order as we speak. I have no issue with aluminum.
I prefer aluminum. So do some others that were not ordering because of plastic.
As do I. Obviously I cannot be too much of a purist since none of my motors are in aluminum (minus the plating on the newer AEM7s), but I think aluminum cars look and feel much more realistic.
Scott Mann, any possibility the Combine Viewliner car could be done? This is a new car Amtrak is using, part crew dorm, part baggage. It would only wear phase III striping with the color mark logo.
Here is a video shows the combo baggage Crew dorm car on the end of the train, at the end of the video. Also seen here, Full Viewliner baggage on the front of the train, Viewliner Diner as well. All three seen in phase III striping with current color mark logo:
And here are 2 dorm baggage cars, as well as a variety of Viewliners on the end:
I am out of it. I have over 35 extruded aluminum passenger cars, and wish I had the space to add more.
Plastic does a better job of detail, but I have an irrational desire to not own any plastic models ever. Guess that means I have to sell my Train Masters.
I do have one plastic GGD heavyweight Pullman. It is a work of art! But I run my Walthers heavyweights, and am happy with them.
GGD has been a hugely positive influence on the hobby, as has Sunset. Mort would be pleased with what Scott has done - Mort was the train nut, and Scott was the business end. Glad you guys are getting the products you want.
All I have to offer at this point is that the Viewliners will be done correctly in the various correct paint schemes. However, beyond that, I am knee deep in wrapping up GP7/9 work to get the factory started on their design in earnest as that is the need project to get in the works before the Chinese New Year.
I need to review my order and see where I was. With Viewliners in the mix, I may have to change some things up to go with my Phase III heritage P42.
More to come!
This is a very exciting offering! Finally after decades of waiting a Viewliner announcement. May I suggest the amfleet II (long distance single vestibule coaches & cafe’s) cars be offered as well.
The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
sdmann posted:The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
Scott, I'm unclear if you're going to offer the Phase VI scheme in the amfleet and viewliner cars? I don't see them on your reservation form? Once I see them I will place my reservation.
VistaDomeScott posted:Scott Mann, any possibility the Combine Viewliner car could be done? This is a new car Amtrak is using, part crew dorm, part baggage. It would only wear phase III striping with the color mark logo.
Here is a video shows the combo baggage Crew dorm car on the end of the train, at the end of the video. Also seen here, Full Viewliner baggage on the front of the train, Viewliner Diner as well. All three seen in phase III striping with current color mark logo:
And here are 2 dorm baggage cars, as well as a variety of Viewliners on the end:
Nice videos! Great consists, I totally agree the baggage/ dorm should be done.
sdmann posted:The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
Hi Scott:
Out of my own curiosity, is that 20% up from the 400 you mentioned, or 20% of what is required to produce? I am perhaps over-eager, but I am curious what number we have to reach before they are set for production. While I more than share VistaDomeScott's excitement, part of me remains a bit cynical that these will become a reality. In any case, thanks for putting forth the effort; I really hope they get made.
Wow with all these amfleets and viewliners you can build a great long distance train - so now we need an E60 to haul those distance trains! Note the viewliners sleepers behind the baaggae car 
sdmann posted:The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
Scott:
Has there been any consideration of Metroliners? I am guessing not as they would require some extra tooling, but I think that would be a popular model as well. I for one would not require them to be powered.
Viewliners on display at Toledo, Ohio May 2016, National Train Day.
Oh it's there Mike.
OMG!
I somehow missed this thread about the good news. I just happened to go by the Golden Gate Depot website (which I had never visited before) and saw the announcement. So I immediately ran here to OGR to see there was a post on it, and lo and behold there was a 2-day old thread.
I've never pre-ordered anything before and $300 per car is steep, but after complaining for years of why it could easily be done in HO and N, I am very pleased about what has finally transpired. Couldn't find the details in the GGD flyer or in this thread. I'm presuming that these cars will be 21 inches in length?
I'm going to put in an order for at least 3 myself (2 Sleepers, 1 Diner)
Thank you for stepping up to the plate GGD! 
Amfleet25124 posted:OMG!
I somehow missed this thread about the good news. I just happened to go by the Golden Gate Depot website (which I had never visited before) and saw the announcement. So I immediately ran here to OGR to see there was a post on it, and lo and behold there was a 2-day old thread.
I've never pre-ordered anything before and $300 per car is steep, but after complaining for years of why it could easily be done in HO and N, I am very pleased about what has finally transpired.
I'm going to put in an order for at least 3 myself (2 Sleepers, 1 Diner)
Thank you for stepping up to the plate GGD!
In my opinion, this is THE ONE opportunity to get these cars. Sell those old trains, work the overtime, get em ordered! Get the word out about these!
A smart dealer such as Public Delivery Track might want to order these for their stock, as there will be stragglers finding out about these later and wanting to buy them.
Don't forget to order the Amfleet cars also.
Kevin, you can't beat the quality of these products. They're well worth the money. Wait till you see them. And Scott lets you order in good faith, no deposit or full payment like many others do... As much as you love Amtrak, you will love these cars!........... You'll need a minim of 054 curves'...
Quarter Gauger 48 posted:Kevin, you can't beat the quality of these products. They're well worth the money. Wait till you see them. And Scott lets you order in good faith, no deposit or full payment like many others do... As much as you love Amtrak, you will love these cars!........... You'll need a minim of 054 curves'...
Funny that you mention that Ted.
Last night I was finally getting around to e-mailing the company (OK Streamliners) you told me about 4-5 months ago that makes custom passenger cars and I just decided to take a look see at GGD to look at their offerings in general, not looking for Amtrak Viewliners. The rest, as they say, is history. 
Question on the Amfleet I cars, does anyone know if the number boards at the vestibule ends will be lit up with or without the car number?
Pantenary posted:sdmann posted:The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
Scott:
Has there been any consideration of Metroliners? I am guessing not as they would require some extra tooling, but I think that would be a popular model as well. I for one would not require them to be powered.
If Scott Mann does Metroliner cars, he better include Cab-Control cars as well! I would think more people would buy the multi-schemed Cab Control cars than the metroliners.
Amfleet25124 posted:Quarter Gauger 48 posted:Kevin, you can't beat the quality of these products. They're well worth the money. Wait till you see them. And Scott lets you order in good faith, no deposit or full payment like many others do... As much as you love Amtrak, you will love these cars!........... You'll need a minim of 054 curves'...
Funny that you mention that Ted.
Last night I was finally getting around to e-mailing the company (OK Streamliners) you told me about 4-5 months ago that makes custom passenger cars and I just decided to take a look see at GGD to look at their offerings in general, not looking for Amtrak Viewliners. The rest, as they say, is history.
Kevin, by the time you get done spending all the money required to detail the OK cars, Interiors, trucks, couplers, lights, etc. You come out ahead with the GG cars. The last OK car I did cost well over $400.00 to detail....... Not including the cost of the car kit, and shipping....
Aside from the Acela I dont have any Amtrak Cars or engines. I looked over the GG list and between the various phases I have no idea which to purchase, if I do.
Could someone be kind enough to make a suggestion as to the Phase variation they like and why?
Also I assume I need to purchase a set as well as the extra view-liner cars the cost of which will be close to $2500. So if I were to give you $2500 which car phase design would you purchase?
I will need an engine as well which one?; so add in another $$.
I am leaning toward the Phase IV designs.
Alanrail, If you go with phase IV the locomotives would be Genesis locomotives in the current "blue wave" scheme or any of the Amtrak 2011 anniversary Genesis locomotives. The selection just released this week by MTH would all be candidates. There is a phase IV painted Heritage unit that has the same stripes, as MTH likes to call it, "5 stripe." Trains with this consist would include, Lakeshore Limited, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Cardinal, Crescent, and the discontinued Three Rivers.
As far as GG1, they would never have pulled any phase IV painted cars as they were retired before that. I'm not even sure they would have seen the phase III Viewliner equipment but maybe, I would have to verify GG1 retirement date vs Viewliner rollout dates. The phase III Amfleet would likely have had GG1 power, but if GG1 is your power goal, go Amfleet phase 1 & 2, that's the common matchup. Viewliners were not even an idea yet during phase 1 era Amfleet.
The AEM7 would have pulled phase III, phase IV. There could have been a few Amleet phase 1 cars in the mix when the AEM7 first rolled out.
VistaDomeScott posted:Alanrail, If you go with phase IV the locomotives would be Genesis locomotives in the current "blue wave" scheme or any of the Amtrak 2011 anniversary Genesis locomotives. The selection just released this week by MTH would all be candidates. There is a phase IV painted Heritage unit that has the same stripes, as MTH likes to call it, "5 stripe." Trains with this consist would include, Lakeshore Limited, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Cardinal, Crescent, and the discontinued Three Rivers.
As far as GG1, they would never have pulled any phase IV painted cars as they were retired before that. I'm not even sure they would have seen the phase III Viewliner equipment but maybe, I would have to verify GG1 retirement date vs Viewliner rollout dates. The phase III Amfleet would likely have had GG1 power, but if GG1 is your power goal, go Amfleet phase 1 & 2, that's the common matchup. Viewliners were not even an idea yet during phase 1 era Amfleet.
The AEM7 would have pulled phase III, phase IV. There could have been a few Amleet phase 1 cars in the mix when the AEM7 first rolled out.
GG1s were gone loooooooooong before VLs appeared. The GG1s were gone around 80-81 and the first viewliners were delivered in the early 90s. For GG1s and amfleets you need the HEP car, which is a scratch build job.
In those early years of AEM7s, Phase 1, 2 and 3 were all mixed together. Theres lots of photos of toasters with phase 1 cars mixed into the trains. Just remember that through the 80s, AEM7s did NOT have ditch lights... that means finding either the Proto 1 version, or an Atlas one and probably doing some kind of electronics upgrade.
I'm still waiting for clarification of the paint job offerings. Phase VI is being shown as Phase III for the viewliners but actual Phase III for the Amfleets on the site.
Are phase IVb and phase VI going to be added for orders?
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Pantenary posted:sdmann posted:The offering will undoubtedly expand with all your suggestions. Aluminum extrusion and our CNC method of cutting windows, means we can make small quantities of unique cars. Thanks for all your suggestions, and the orders built up about 20% in 1 day. WOW!!!
Scott
Scott:
Has there been any consideration of Metroliners? I am guessing not as they would require some extra tooling, but I think that would be a popular model as well. I for one would not require them to be powered.
If Scott Mann does Metroliner cars, he better include Cab-Control cars as well! I would think more people would buy the multi-schemed Cab Control cars than the metroliners.
Agreed. I would certainly compromise with Phase III cab-cars in lieu of a Metroliner set.
Boilermaker1 posted:In those early years of AEM7s, Phase 1, 2 and 3 were all mixed together. Theres lots of photos of toasters with phase 1 cars mixed into the trains. Just remember that through the 80s, AEM7s did NOT have ditch lights... that means finding either the Proto 1 version, or an Atlas one and probably doing some kind of electronics upgrade.
One can also do a shell swap with a PS1 and PS3 model, then paint the erroneous blue over with Amtrak blue from Proto-Paint or Badger. I think that is easier and less frustrating than upgrading the Atlas AEM7s, unless you are into conventional operation or use Lionel CC systems. I also shined the wheels and detailed the roof according to shots from the 80s/90s. With a little effort, a very nice and accurate model can be had. Now, we just need a string of GGD Amfleets behind them.
In the shot above, you can see the difference between Badger's Amtrak Blue, (look at the long mid-section) as compared to the purple-ish MTH 'blue' under the cab, (I haven't finished painting these yet). Some of the older AEM7s sported a darker blue instead of the newer (and lighter) Heritage blue they used in later years.
OOPs I meant GGD not GG1 sorry!!
Alan, it's your layout. GG1s could have survived! :-)
Photoshopped by me, however when I get a second Silver G, I'll do this fake scheme for the fun of it.
All kidding aside, all the comments on this thread are really helpful to help get the order page straightened out. I suspect we will be adding an option to do an 8 car set for a more or less complete Lake Shore Limited, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Palmetto, or Crescent consist.
3rd Rail won't likely be doing a P32 / P40 / P42 as they are nearing the end of their life and MTH as well as WBB have produced these. However, once the replacement for these locomotives has been identified (i.e. Siemens Charger maybe?) who knows what the possibility would be? An ACS64 in O would be way cool, but no discussions there yet.
My photo of the AC64 when new in Harrisburg:
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