Key Model Imports PA Santa Fe ATSF details

Thank you, those are simply exquisite.

 

That's pretty sharp.  Really like the headlight bezel and the sill above the cab side windows/doors.  How about a 3/4 overhead shot from the front to show off the nose?

and the diaphragms are silver too  just as they should be

very nice, thank you for sharing.  Currently using 3 rail engines and accessories.

 

Question: if a 3 rail engine requires 072 (minimum) then would the same engine in 2 rail scale require 084 as a minimum?

 

Thank you

In the other thread, there was a picture with a Santa Fe FT in the background. Who produced that one?  I noticed that just yesterday.

 

 

That was a factory paint model that Roger Lewis used to own. It's for sale.. But with the new Sunset models here good luck huh!  I believe it is a Hallmark Ajin Korea.



       

I am not 100% sure of the equivalent in "O-XX" land but this model requires at least a 84" radius in 2 rail.


       

Bill,

I followed this project from the start when they were announced back in 2002. I was a skeptic since the Samhongsa models were full of errors. The 1988 Samhongsas were wonderful for the time back in 1989 but by today's standards the Samhongsa 1989 run missed the boat on a lot of issues.

Dave and crew at Key were pushed to the end to get these right; "best PA in any scale ever built" and I believe they did. At full retail of near $7000 for a 3 unit set sadly it was out of reach for most of us myself included. MTH did a pretty good job with the scale PA; sadly it needs everything below the belt rebuilt to make it right.




       

I will do as you ask today.


       

No kidding bro!

And they look right painted; just like it's 1:1 cousin!


       

Really great pictures of a beautiful model! Nice job, Eric.

 

These are way out of my reach financially, not to mention the need for the model to take a 15' wide space (including benchwork) to turn around on a layout.

 

Jeff C

So is a 084 curve is not  the same as a 084 radius?  Seems it would require twice as much room for a turn around???  Is that correct?

An 084 curve in 3 rail would represent 42" radius,large for 3 railers where 072 [36"] is considered the norm for bigger layouts.

Those are amazing, the vents look great but the trucks are off the charts....WOW!!

An 84" radius curve would be an O168 in 3R parlance. That's why I wrote it would take a 15' wide space for a turnback curve.

 

Jeff C

Thank you graciously Jeff for clarification on the radius issue.

Moving onward looking at the O scale Samhongsa 1989 run piece imported by Dan McKey of Key Imports we can see obvious improvement and despite a 30+ year old piece still stands its ground well as one of the finest PA models produced along with its 1:32 counterparts also produced in 1989-1990 by master builder Samhongsa

A victim of "high water pants" I am not sure why.

The pilot on the KMI version like any modern brass is refined with a finer degree of filigree. The ridge along the side of the nose above the anti-climber is superbly carried out by FM Train Model, a truly high degree of hand assembled care area on these pieces.

Both noses are very well carried out. To think this was almost missed on the FM Train Model! Rumor has it the original official ALCO drawings are sans this VERY important element in this locomotives design. I still wonder why, thankfully the fans stepped up and made some noise!

Grillwork on the 2010 model is nothing short of amazing. Back in 1989 the etching process must have been not as refined? Or was this just simply overlooked?

High Water Pants plagues the 1989 Samhongsa model in effect making it sit higher than prototype specs. The end detail in 1989 was top notch; the 2010 FM Train version is approaching too complex for reliable operation. A tight line to walk in this business, too far and they short and too little a 3 rail toy train.

Hands down the FM Train Model project in 2010 is profound in this area. The completely re-visited trucks are nothing short of masterpieces in their own right. A model upon themselves that much is certain.

Typical of 1989 run models or earlier the hobbyist simply did not demand "everything" despite being seen or not. The 2010 run model is off the charts.

Samhongsa's 1989 PA

FM Train Model's 2010 PA

Alone both models are a masterpiece. Beside one another not looking at prototype differences (horns on #51 L/A/C) the roof line is "too" exaggerated in upward curvature. Looking at prototype photos reveals the low profile and lean looks of the FM Train Model 2010 run is nearly a perfect execution of the project.

Probably not worth mentioning is the color. I feel the 2010 project hit it out of the park on Santa Fe's "Indian Red".

Chris-

For sure they are amazing




       

These are amazing engines.  All of this high level brass is top notch and quite pleasing to look at.  But the admission to that playground is out of my league.  God forbid an O scale brass BNSF 9647 shows up somewhere, I'll be sunk for sure.

Nice camera work BTW Eric.  Can you show a pic of your photo setup?  Is it white/light box?

Thanks McQ

I am glad when the big wheels in the right market steps up to the plate and makes these fine projects a reality. It's a real privilege to reap the benefits of their investment.

When the big wheels are Rollin the rest of us really benefit. Art has always been this way.

Thanks for the education Erik.  

Your welcome Howard

Added for reference

Late modified prototype

While the PA'S look burly and tough, the E unit looks like it's going 100 mph sitting still.

Erik,

When were the Key EMD ATSF E3/6 models built?

Is your E 3/6 set the last run?

Do you have Key EMD ATSF F units? If so, I would appreciate a pix.

THANKS!

These were taken by my friend Roger Lewis. They are of the early Samhongsa 1988-1990 run of a late modified prototype likely 1960's era F units.

My era is really 1940-1950 late steam and early diesels. I prefer the early passenger power over the F3-F10 crowd. FT's are ok with me but lack the drop dead beauty the PA and E's have flanked in stainless.

Personally I'm not that big of a fan of the F's although they were by far the primary power used on the passenger atsf trains. I don't like to model the common; interesting and unique is what I prefer. F units have been done by everybody and his brother and are popular, atlas, p&d, general models, all nation, atlas 1970's, every brass importer. Hence all my buddies have fleets of them. I like to add spice to the mix.

All the early E units were of the last 2 runs an initial in 2012 and a rerun in 2013. The PA was a one time gift to us from 2010.


       

Brought forward for review

Erik - Does the PA require a greater radius than the E units?

Neither will operate on 54" radius-- I learned that. However 72" seems ok for the both.

Gorgeous models Erik....true works of art!!  Thanks for the thread...

 

Alan

Thanks Alan

Thank heaven models like these exist

 

I always wonder why things like this are priced so cheaply--why would someone who could afford to pay $5000.00 for an A-A set not pay $7000.00? Seems to me that when you have a fish on the hook you should play it for all you can....

 

Jeff C

Jeff it's a disease

 

I hear that! I would love to see one of those beautiful locos painted in D&H colours.

 

Jeff C

does a 72" radius equal a 144 curve in three rail terms?

 

Yes. Plus you need clearance for equipment overhang, so your layout space would need to be about 13'6" wide to run that size curve...

 

Jeff C

I just happen to have some D&H photos with the right grillwork!

Thanks to Jeff Baker!

These are certainly handsome diesels - Thanks Erik