I finally did it, and purchased my first 3rd Rail Engine!!!! pics added

There here!!! Pics and questions to follow.

Beautiful engine. It won't be your last 3rd rail purchase. I also waiting a long time before purchasing a 3rd Rail engine. Once I finally took the plunge I felt stupid for waiting so long. Everything I've received from 3rd Rail has been top quality and beautifully done. The folks at 3rd Rail are great to work with and I love that they give regular updates of the manufacturing timeline and shipping dates. There is an awful lot to like about that company. Congrats on your new engine!

Emile

I purchased my first last year (SF 2900). You will not be disappointed and do not forget their cars.  I have a hopper and caboose from them as well.

I have two; one is great the other well no so.

But the difficulty is obtaining parts after. I have a missing number board on one steam engine that either was missing from the start or fell off from sitting in a yard. I contacted Mann a year ago and still waiting for a reply. Maybe he lost the email.

Same issue with LIONEL and they not only found the missing and broken parts in their on-line store;but the shipping was fast. . . real fast. Clearly, LNL had them in stock for a 7 year old engine and a passenger car. I don't know if 3rd Rail has extra parts.

So my conclusion is love the 3rd Rails; but take really really good care of them.

Alan,

You might want to try Precision Scale for the missing part.

Ed

Precision Scale  website?

http://www.precisionscaleco.com/

NOT there. It's a translucent plastic board with "4001" on it; it' that fell off I guess.

Only 3rd rail would have it; if they had parts.

If it's any consolation, you are not alone...only I'm missing one number board #4000. Beats having something seriously wrong I guess.

Bruce

Susz,

   Great looking Burlington, very serious stuff!

PCRR/Dave

you're missing a board too!! maybe that a gluing issue in Hong Kong. 

Here is the update and pics   FTAs arrived late Friday.  The CBQ FT came as a ABA set 113A-FTB-113D. When original delivered by EMD, They came as a ABBA set with the AB connected by a draw bar. Later CB&Q split the sets when CB&Q purchased F2A and created a ABA set (FTA-FTB-F2A) as Hot Water was quick to remind me in another thread. Knowing I needed to reconfigure the set to FTA-FTB and install Kadees I emailed Scott to inquire if he had the 2R kadee mounting pads and an additional 3R coupler mount to run temporally until all my rolling stock had been converted to Kadees. Scott replied that they had the parts and on his return from China he would ship them to me. Once I figured out how to remove the 3R coupler mount from FTA 113D I installed the mount after removing the draw bar stud that connected the B unit with FTA113D. As for operating. They run very smooth even at 1 Scale MPH. My MTHs jerk at that speed.  Bottom line this is the best purchase I have made and worth every penny, but you all out there in OGR land already knew that. By next Monday, my GN FTA-FTB set will arrive and have reserved 3 SD9 from Scott. What I would like if possible some could post pics with view from underneath with Kadees mounted?

Thanks and enjoy because I certainly am.

 Below are the pics

 As Delivered FTA 113A-FTB-FTA 113D

 As modified FTA113A-FTB

 What Hot Water was referring to. EMD F2A by Atlas

  FTA Details. Atlas and MTH don't even come close, 

 Next set of Pic are the cover the reconfiguration from 3R ABA to 3R AB

3R coupler and mount taken off 133D Draw bar pin before removal from B unit

Mounting holes on FTB trucks

Mounted

All the separately applied grab rails and ledges on the 3rd Rail FT does not necessarily make it a better detailed engine than the Atlas F2.  Some F's had it, others didn't.  I really like the cab controls...I bet Mr. Mann could do a good business selling those separately.  I'd be in.

For comparisons sake, here's the Atlas F2 up close.  The details on it don't seem exaggerated, like on the 3rd Rail.  I'm certain these could be had new with TMCC for less than $400 each back in the day.

Bruce

Please be aware that the photo you posted of the CB&Q A-A F2 units, is an EMD builder photo, thus it does not show the extra added-on grab irons that the CB&Q added after delivery. Be assured that EVERY F and E unit on the CB&Q roster had those extra added-on grab irons prior to entering regular road service. I do not believe that Atlas add those typical CB&Q features on their F2A models.

My point was that this is a better made product, when compared to MTH and Atlas of which I own. The has been a thread I have been following concerning upgrading an atlas F7 using parts from P&D Hobby. What's interesting is almost everything the member has done to his engine, mine came with an interior, correctly detailed trucks and other items.Of course nothing replaces the pride in modifying it yourself. But when you are paying 600.00 dollars plus I expect it to be accurate. What would of been nice if Scott had offered the CBQ FT configured as it was operated with an F2. The only way I can use the atlas F2 would be to make it a non powered unit.

Hot Water they don't.

My apologies....I jumped the gun on that EMD photo.  A later in service photo shows an FT with the irons added.

but worse yet...

On review, it is clear I need to get some manners.  If you are half as elated as I was when I got my first 3rd Rail product then you must be on the moon right about now.  Nobody needs a critic like me throwing a wet blanket on the occasion.  Again, my apologies.

Bruce

Bruce

No issues with the wet blanket.  My 3rd rail GN FTs arrive next week and they are correct for the GN units. Definitely looking forward to the SD9s I have on reservation. What really has impressed me is how smooth they run and are strong pullers. Funny thing is I just got a line on a GN E7 pair and the seller has a CB&Q E7 ABA he might be willing to sell too. My train budget has gone down tubes!!

Remember,,,,,,,the CB&Q didn't have any E7B units.

Hot Water I know. I am contacting the guy today to see what he really has. If he really has a CB&Q ABA and the price is right, I will have to buy the B unit regardless. A Atlas F2A just poped up on That auction site, but it is 2R.

This came about a week ago.  My second purchase from 3rd Rail. Many thanks to Scott Mann for holding this for me while I dealt with a murphy moment. Hopefully the 2R pilots will arrive today. Both engine run smooth as silk.