MTH Premier VO-1000's

Anything prsl seems to sell well. The AS-616 sold out at Holly Beach Train Depot. I’d be interested in a VO-1000 in PRSL, probably as close as we’ll get to an S12.

I would be in for a PRSL but would really like a PRR unit.

I think PRSL would be winner; I'd consider getting the USN version as well.

1. A yellow USN.  I'm curious as to Army yellow, never seen a picture.  Older scheme in black, newer in red. (Post dates the Baldwin's).

I’d say CNJ or SMS.  Maybe EJ&E if it were the gray paint scheme.

@rplst8 posted:

I would be in for a PRSL but would really like a PRR unit.

C pats trains 4 dat.

Count me in for a yellow USN VO-1000. Would be cool if it had a similar paint scheme to this one at the Tennessee Valley RR Museum.

@rplst8 posted:

I would be in for a PRSL but would really like a PRR unit.

Patrick's Trains is already offering these in the PRR with two road numbers available.

Pat

@rplst8 posted:

I would be in for a PRSL but would really like a PRR unit.

https://www.publicdeliverytrac...witcher-3-rail-p3-0/

@RJ I posted:

Count me in for a yellow USN VO-1000. Would be cool if it had a similar paint scheme to this one at the Tennessee Valley RR Museum.

I put in with MTH to do the USN units.  I'll see what they say.  I was going to go without the frame stripes, as i believe they were added when the VO's were converted to EMD prime movers, as the one pictured is.   I can always do with the frame stripes, if thats what everyone wants....

beth

I'm in for one Jersey Central if MTH gets the body styles right. CNJ had five VO-1000's, 1062 had early style curved trim by the battery box steps and chassis step skirts,

1063, 1064, 1065, 1066 had the later squared off battery box steps and angular details by the chassis steps.

You get extra points if MTH puts the number plate on the grill as in 1066 above. 

Since I already built one I'll take any number except 1065

Very nice models.  

Unfortunately, with mass produced models, we just can do the best we can within the confines of the tooling thats available.   I spend a lot of time looking at photos and going thru road numbers and the like.   My own reference library is pretty extensive.

And im sure the manufacturers are more annoyed with me than some other ppl, as i probably send back artwork for revisions more than others.  I do the best that i can, but perfection is out of the question.

I know some ppl would rather pay a whole lot more for something thats closer to perfect, but that's not the market im in....

beth

Prsl for me Beth!!

Ive asked for PRSL and USN.  We'll see what happens.

They have the curved style step cab already like the Reading 86 below ( which is what 1062 and 1063 should look like right down to the exhaust stack placement )

and they can change the exhaust stacks and move them around ( like the B&O's which is moved forward )

and they have added name plates to the Holly Beach AS-616's as per PRSL prototypes ( or at least it looks like it in the artist

conception photos )

so accuracy is possible, unless they're just giving you one run of "generic" VO-1000 bodies with different paint jobs.

I'm not holding my breath as to your getting 24 other JCL requests, but stranger things have happened. 

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

https://www.publicdeliverytrac...witcher-3-rail-p3-0/

Thanks Beth.  I'm still in for a PRSL too.

The cataloged VO-1000s have the curved step cab and multiple exhaust stacks

except for the Great Northern which has a single stack close to the cab like the Jersey Central,

so if the artists rendering is correct, JCL 1062 is possible with this cab and 1063 - 1066 with the square step cab.

Im surprised that MTH hasnt made a public announcement yet, but these 4 units are up on their website.  There might be some last minute changes??

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

  The price would be 479.95 per engine.   I need commitments (no money) for 25 pieces per paint scheme to go ahead (2 road numbers).  There are no guarantee's, but im asking.  I stuck with the railking scale engines so far, cause they are decent, and not expensive, and still  have the full proto3 package. .  It also costs me a lot more to do a premier run of engines....so im asking.

beth

Not sure but aren't the RK diesel switchers a Scale size Beth ?  🤔

Im in Beth for prsl. 

You really need to know the history of all this stuff, to know whats the "good stuff' (scale sized with decent detail), and the not to scale or light on detail.

When it comes to Railking switchers...  The best ones are the SW1500, MP15's, and the SW-1. Lionel bought the SW-1 tooling, and jacked the price up $200.  The SW-9, SW-8's are older tooling, and scale dimensions except that the hoods are too long..something done over 25 years ago, when electronics took up more space.  Also, 25 years ago, detailing ability was much less. 

The Railking  VO-1000 wasnt bad....idk if there is still tooling for it, or if they upgraded the tooling to make the Premier VO-1000.

And there's also the Railking FM H10-44.  Its very early tooling, but actually quite nice, despite not being heavy on detail.  Ive always liked it, but demand has always been light.

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

You really need to know the history of all this stuff, to know whats the "good stuff' (scale sized with decent detail), and the not to scale or light on detail.

When it comes to Railking switchers...  The best ones are the SW1500, MP15's, and the SW-1. Lionel bought the SW-1 tooling, and jacked the price up $200.  The SW-9, SW-8's are older tooling, and scale dimensions except that the hoods are too long..something done over 25 years ago, when electronics took up more space.  Also, 25 years ago, detailing ability was much less.

The Railking  VO-1000 wasnt bad....idk if there is still tooling for it, or if they upgraded the tooling to make the Premier VO-1000.

And there's also the Railking FM H10-44.  Its very early tooling, but actually quite nice, despite not being heavy on detail.  Ive always liked it, but demand has always been light.

Don't forget the RS-1.  Though technically a "road switcher" I guess, but only a tad bigger than the Alco S-2 really.  Highly detailed for a RailKing offering, and scale in size.  Also, it smokes like a chimney, and the Alco prime mover sounds are stellar!  Definitely a sleeper.

I want a Pennsy FM H10-44 too.

The railking scale RS-1 is great.  We are lucky that Lionel didnt buy the tooling...they wuda made it a $600. engine.

FWIW...I have a few extra special run M&E and BRW RS-1's left.  they are up for sale on the website....

And have requests in for special runs of RS-1's in the future for Maryland and Delaware, Genessee and Wyoming (orig scheme), Ann Arbor (DT&I compass scheme), and Rutland.

@rplst8 posted:

Don't forget the RS-1.

Amen to that.  The MTH RS-1 is a fantastic model.  Blows away the RS-3.  I was going to type "IMO" but it's just a fact!

@MikeH posted:

Amen to that.  The MTH RS-1 is a fantastic model.  Blows away the RS-3.  I was going to type "IMO" but it's just a fact!

I really wish lionel,  atlas or MTH  would produce a highly detailed rs-3.  The old k-line rs-3 that William now produces looks fantastic, but terrible sounds and no command in that one these days.

What do u think of the Atlas RS-3?  I like it better than the K-line, and they made it in 2 rail too...

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

What do u think of the Atlas RS-3?  I like it better than the K-line, and they made it in 2 rail too...

I've never seen or heard of that one before actually.  It looks great by the photo.  3 rail would be what I would buy.  Hope they produce it again!

The 1st run of RS-3's that atlas did, did not have cruise or smoke.  2nd run had cruise and smoke (and the tmcc package, of course)   Im sold out of the ones from the 2nd run right now.  Looks like I have a Rock Island from the 1st run in stock, and some RSD-5's.   I might have some reading dark green ones here, but they are weathered, and IDK what price to put on them.

https://www.publicdeliverytrac...&section=product

@Beth Marshall-The Public Delivery Track posted:

What do u think of the Atlas RS-3?  I like it better than the K-line, and they made it in 2 rail too...

I own a couple of the Atlas RS3’s…a conventional operation D&H from the first run and a TMCC-equipped CNJ (blue & yellow scheme) from the 2nd run.  I agree with you Beth…I definitely like the looks of them better than the MTH and former K-Line (now Williams) offerings.  

What I’d really like to see is the original Weaver RS3 tooling tracked down!  Not sure who ended up with it, but it had by far the closest to scale body (hood, cab, window, etc.) dimensions of any of the models mentioned above.  The tooling would just need to be modified slightly to remove the molded-in details such as grab irons, etc.

One issue  with the Atlas model IMO is the quality of the engine sounds and volume.  I tried to construct a speaker baffle in the CNJ unit to improve the volume.  Now with the Atlas/MTH relationship, it would be great to see the PS3 ALCO sound package in the Atlas model.

The Atlas RS3 Looks Really nice. The MTH RK RS1 is definitely Really Nice !!! It would be great if someone could offer a side by side comparison / accuracy, details, sound, electronics, smoke etc, last offering date, msrp, usual retail. I know they Are Different diesels But at a glance, I see them as pretty similar and it being reasonable to compare.
Im guessing the RK would give us the best bargain for our bucks. I’d love to see either issued again. My money would commit to Missouri Pacific or Frisco.

@JET posted: ...snip... 1064, 1065, 1066 had the later squared off battery box steps and angular details by the chassis steps.

...snip...

The stack on 1066 must present major clearance issues!

I would also like to see a Frisco RS-1.   Black with yellow lettering, per this photo of the Atlas HO model.

Tony

@tonymarchiando posted:

I would also like to see a Frisco RS-1.   Black with yellow lettering, per this photo of the Atlas HO model.

Tony

That my Frisco preference too !!!!!!