GM Train of Tomorrow-Shipping from Sunset Models 12-23-14

"Allow 2 weeks for shipping, 4-6 months in port"

 

Are you trying to be an optimist, Jim. 

PTC -  It will be a trick if happens sooner, and a treat if they are delivered by July 4th.

Maritime law says the port can hold your shipment at the destination port for as long as they wish and charge you for the privilege?  The container is off the ship and the ship done sailed away.  This has nothing to do with the shipping company (as in the company that operates the ships) or the forwarder this is uniquely the Port of Oakland (and maybe US Customs).

Scott,

 

We've waited many years for someone to make this model.  Having to wait a couple of weeks isn't any big deal.

 

Hope you have a great holiday!

 

Jim

gm tot "YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE"

 

I'm with Sandjam  send it after the rush tons less chance of anything accidental happening. Thanks for the info Scott.

I always figured I would get it in January, and that is fine with me.  

 

Good luck with it all.  Must be frustrating to you, Scott, more than any of us.

Especially critical with shipped items which have limited replacement parts available.

I think of it this way. Put yourself in Scotts shoes, you have just fast tracked the design and production of an entire train with huge mass appeal. Every body who preordered would love to have it by Christmas and we would if it were up to Scott, I think he'd take the chance and ship if he could. But in the back of your company's customer oriented mind it is going to be safer after the Holiday both for Scott and Customers train. Now we just have to thank the boys at the port for thinking of us and holding the container a tad too long. Some good in everything just depends on how you look at it. Thank you Scott once again for producing what may be a model as highly prized and sought after  as any KOHS or Wasatch, ar Key have produced in half the time Keep it UP!!!! North Coast Limited Hint HInt or at least the domes.... PLEASEEEEE!!!!!!

Scott's troubles are not unique to the West coast, I had a container still in the Port of Miami until the fees were more than the value of the goods in the container. When I expressed to the forwarder that one more fee and they could keep the container, its content, and she us for the fees, it was magically released. Import is a very strange business

You guys are very kind, and patient. I am lucky to have such understanding customers.

 

In the mean time, I have been at the Factory inspecting the RDC Cars and the Timken / NP A-1 engines. I will be posting pictures and videos soon.

 

The Finish Sets and the B&O P7 Streamline are due to be produced in January. I will return to check them and the first samples of the SF El Capitan. Sorry this stuff is coming so quickly, but it keeps prices stable as the factory is fully utilized at all stages of production.

 

In the rear of the factory (Assembly Area), they are working on Finish Sets and  El Capitan Parts. The middle Area, Timken / NP A1 Finishing. The front area RDC assembly and testing.

 

The factory Manager is great at keeping things moving smoothly and efficiently, but fails in the QC or catching errors or problems. That's where I come in.

 

Usually after about an hour of walking around finding this error or that problem, production stops and corrections begin. It's a battle to keep things going so fast and get them done correctly.

 

Don't think the workers don't want to do it right. They are very dedicated to making nice models for you. They know who brings in the money, the customers. I drove this home to them for many years now. And they see your posts on the forum, pictures of errors, and now understand what you want. It's a great situation. 2015 should be another world wind of projects. I am very much looking forward to it.

 

To ALL: Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and to those with other faiths, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year to you.

 

Returning Home on Sunday.

 

Scott Mann

Wow thanks for the pictures.  It's very interesting to see the factory.

Wow, the RDC's sure are tempting, but at this time I'm just tapped out!

 

Scott, are you planning on re-running any of the GGD heavyweights, like B&O?

 

Jim

i love the last photo showing the worker with the expression;

 

"these crazy Americans and their toys!"

All this back and forth on the TOT has got me thinking that I REALLY NEED A SET!

Very impressive engines and passenger cars Like all the interior details in the passenger cars. Take a look.

 

Container arrive 6PM last night, unloaded... Shipping begins Tuesday December 23rd.

 

Scott Mann

 

Gee Brian; you must have been Really good this year!

The modernized heavyweight coaches will be available in B&O as will extra coaches from the Cincinnatian.

The news we have all been waiting for:

 

Container arrive 6PM last night, unloaded... Shipping begins Tuesday December 23rd.

 

Scott Mann

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE:

 

1/2 Shipped on 12/23, the rest going domestic today.

 

We are closed 12/25- 12/28.

 

International needs full 2nd inspection and USPS documentation. So International will ship after 1/2/2015.

 

 

Thanks Scott for the update, and a Very Merry Christmas to you and the folks at Sunset Models.

Ditto from me (and no doubt all devotees of 3rd Rail engines/cars/sets)!

 

Mine is the same. Clicking the tracking number in the UPS notice I received on Dec 15 still shows the Train as not yet being received by UPS. They probably just ran out of time. I expect we'll get new info by the end of the day this Monday.

 

Emile

Ok Thanks.  I was getting nervous.  Just too excited, haha

sometimes a new label that has been re printed will not upload into tracking as the new primary label. The original will continue to show up. and tends to correct itself when the item is on truck , en route, or at your door. Had this happen once  too me. I was panicky Looking at the tracking page, went to the door and it was UPS with said item came back to computer and everything had updated saying delivered Talk about service  I ordered the 2 rail City Of Seattle and have as yet to receive any notice. My card was charged and my last name begins with A.   So I'll just be patient..... Really the excitement is just killing me!!!!

Mine is the same thing.  Label created on the 16th, saying still not shipped.

Don't take everything LITERALLY when reading UPS tracking info.  I requested a huge $$$ shipment be held at the local depot last year, and later that same evening the tracking info showed the packages were picked up and signed for!     First thing the next morning I drove to the depot and thankfully the packages were at the depot for me.  All we could think was that the tracking system considered the packages out of the normal UPS delivery process, but they admitted the tracking info should not have shown the packages as picked up and signed for.

 

I also recently ordered something from the west coast a few weeks ago... The day before that Pineapple Express weather-maker hit California.  I got a UPS email indicating the package had yet to be removed from a UPS container and that delivery would need to be delayed/rescheduled.  Then literally NO UPDATES for over a week.  Just as I was about to call UPS, I received an email the next day indicating delivery would be delayed 3 days from the original ETA.  Between those two UPS correspondences, I had no tracking info indicating any kind of progress.  

 

So the tracking info is not 100% bullet-proof all the time.

 

David

Even if the "Train of Tomorrow" turns out to be the "Train of a Week from next Tuesday", I have no complaints. It's still arriving months before I really expected and from the photos posted by Passenger Train Collector, it looks like it is well worth the wait.

 

Emile

My label tracking began updating on 12/23 showing delivery now on 1/5/15.  Idle of coarse over Xmas.  This morning shows currently in Hodges, Il.  I'm thinking I might see this little beauty on or before the 2nd here in Michigan.

 

So, now I have a huge problem as I am still at stage one so to speak, putting up walls, lighting etc. in my basement since moving last year.

 

now I have go get more lumber - build some benchwork this weekend, wire up DCC and lay some 2R track, etc. Oh the humanity.

 

Darn you Scott for being so efficient at taking orders, building and shipping these things! 

Sorry , that was supposed to say Hodgkins, IL.

Don't worry folks, most all orders will be delivered to UPS on Monday December 29th. A few got out December 23rd, but there was no pickup on the 24th, and 26th, no one there to let them in.

 

I gave the day after Christmas off to our employees. They have been working tirelessly all 2014.

 

Scott Mann

Scott...thanks for the update.  Hope you had a great Christmas!

 

Alan

If you got one of these and a VL Big Boy (I didn't) play now with the Big Boy because this ToT will leave it in dust; IMHO.

That is a bold claim rdunniii.  To each their own of course, but having just played with the VL big boy I can tell you that there is no passenger train that will outrank the play value of a vision line big boy.  (I anxiously await my GGD El Capitan bi-levels, and they will not be as cool as the VL big boy).  I am certain the TOT will have tons of detail, but I can only admire detail as it passes by me on my layout some many times before it becomes boring. The features of the vl big boy just provide too much fun!  

Thanks Scott for the update. As you can readily see, you have many customers that are very excited about receiving this fabulous train. We sure understand that your staff deserved a Christmas break and I applaud you for giving them the time off based on an exceptional year of service. Good for you.

Email just came in announcing arrival of two packages from San Ramon into local UPS facility in Redmond at 3:20 A.M. Saturday morning.

 

Good for you, Bill. Now we all expect one of your super videos of this fabulous train by next Tuesday. 

I still cannot believe this train is coming...what a beauty she will be.

 

Scott, I cannot thank you enough for taking on this project. Shipping delays happen and we can all wait as a train is not a necessity and it appears you and your crew have done all you can.  I thank you for that.

 

*Guys, thanks for the well wishes.  My eyes have been much better this past week and I've been able to read and post more.