New Lionel Amfleet Coach/Cab Cars Arrive

Nice, but I see that Lionel still did not put the correct trucks on the cab car. They should be the de-motored Metroliner drop-equalizer trucks. I have one of the first run cab cars and when i saw that the Williams version (15"; too short) had the proper trucks, I bought one and one day hope to swap out the trucks if it is a relatively easy process.

Hi Dave:

You are correct.  As I noted above, there are a few undercarriage details missing.  As I am sure you know, the issue with the cab-car is if you changed the actual truck, you lose the mechanism that switches the markers and headlights based on direction.  It is a clever design, and I'd like to retain that.  However, I do have some spare Atlas O Horizon trucks, the side frames of which are a very close match to the ex-Metroliners.  I may try to adapt those side frames at some point.

I knew they wouldn't be perfect, but I am really enjoying them for what they are.  Lionel had a good idea with those cab-cars, and I really appreciate that they re-ran them, and in different paint schemes.

Not sure what diesel power you have in your fleet, but you could also run the Atlantic City train with that Phase 3 cab. I only mentioned it because it was news to me last year. By the time I was paying attention to Amtrak, NJT was the only Atlantic City train

@CharmCityAirLine posted:

Not sure what diesel power you have in your fleet, but you could also run the Atlantic City train with that Phase 3 cab. I only mentioned it because it was news to me last year. By the time I was paying attention to Amtrak, NJT was the only Atlantic City train

That is a good idea, but I do not have any diesels, nor a current provision to run them.  I run only electrics off the overhead catenary, and my 3rd rail is connected to a clean ~15VAC for the coaches only.

That said, a Lionel F40PH is a nice idea, but I have heard they are a little buggy, and my train budget is consumed for the foreseeable future. 

--Nate

That said, a Lionel F40PH is a nice idea, but I have heard they are a little buggy, and my train budget is consumed for the foreseeable future. 

I heard that! I ordered an F40PH last year. I was looking forward to a Downeaster cabbage but completely forgot I ordered a regular engine too. They're being delivered this week and I just saw my invoice
I'll be working a little overtime this month and that may be it for new trains in 2023

@Pantenary posted:

That is a good idea, but I do not have any diesels, nor a current provision to run them.  I run only electrics off the overhead catenary, and my 3rd rail is connected to a clean ~15VAC for the coaches only.

That said, a Lionel F40PH is a nice idea, but I have heard they are a little buggy, and my train budget is consumed for the foreseeable future. 

--Nate

I'm a big fan of the cab cars and as you all may know, Phase III and the AEMs, as well.

Nice looking cab cars, great review, and nice to see them finally done in Phase III.

Thanks!

- Mario

@CharmCityAirLine posted:

I heard that! I ordered an F40PH last year. I was looking forward to a Downeaster cabbage but completely forgot I ordered a regular engine too. They're being delivered this week and I just saw my invoice
I'll be working a little overtime this month and that may be it for new trains in 2023

Just have to hope those upcoming 2023 catalog pre-orders don't deliver until 2024.

The only differences that I can see (without removing the floor) on my earlier one (6-35454) are the road number (9646) and the under-the-floor switches are reversed from the new production:

Here is the headlight/marker reversing mechanism in the truck:

One thing that I do plan on doing is remove the swinging coupler and skirting from the truck and attach it to the floor of the car. I might even put a scale coupler on the front for looks.

Hi Dave:...snip... ionel had a good idea with those cab-cars, and I really appreciate that they re-ran them, and in different paint schemes.

Yes, they did. I can see a release in the future of an original Metroliner, most (maybe all except for stamping the proper holes in the floor) of the tooling is already done, even a power truck using, maybe, the one used in the Budd car.

Yes, they did. I can see a release in the future of an original Metroliner, most (maybe all except for stamping the proper holes in the floor) of the tooling is already done, even a power truck using, maybe, the one used in the Budd car.

That would be pretty cool! As my collection evolves, my current metroliners look silly. Over the years, I have unloaded most of my non-scale items to eBay, but my metroliners and E60s remain. The E60s weren't too bad once I painted the roofs (and they pull with the might of ten men), but those metroliners need a modern replacement. I lost half the stickers from the Welz versions.

I whipped together a short video of the cab-car (#9630) on the point of Amtrak Keystone Service Extra #600, with AEM7 #917 shoving on the rear.  The train is running at 101smph, (by DCS reckoning).

Also, before there are any comments form the peanut gallery -- yes, there are more than a few light spider webs in the catenary.  Occasionally, a spider or lady bug may even meet their demise on the trolley wire.  Does Amtrak clean their catenary?  I didn't think so. 

--Nate M.

I'm never unimpressed by your hard work on that operating catenary!