N&W Mollies on their way!

Don't get your hopes up. Check your email to see if it doesn't say the following:

A UPS shipping label has been created. Once the shipment arrives at our facility, the tracking status--including the scheduled delivery date--will be updated.

Still means it's on its way. It wont kill me to wait another week.

Latest email from Scott says that the container had been delayed in Oakland port and won't get there until Wed. Earliest possible beginning of shipping won't be until Monday the 4th.

Just got another email from Scott saying there was an error at the factory regarding lettering for Strasburg/NW. So it looks like three more weeks until my SRR consist is complete!

To be more specific, the factory sent the wrong number of engines lettered Strasburg and Norfolk and Western. The only error was in the quantity not anything else. We found ourselves running out of one or the other, and we have since notified all affected customers, 6 of them. We have air shipped the subject engines back to the factory where I will personally supervise the re-lettering process. These models should be ready to ship out in 2 weeks.  On a good note: Here is a video I took of the production model I tested before leaving for China.

http://youtu.be/oh7xa4xGfzc

Scott Mann

More photos please.  These are so far advanced from the good old days . . .

You are shipping them overseas to be re- lettered?  Nobody in California is as good as those guys? Not even one of the Garys?

Amazing what happens when someone makes  a few  out of plastic,just for the fun of it, sells them for a pittance, and one customer  who bought one added all the 'bells and whistles'  and wins  a first prize at a N&W convention, and now   they are commercially available.  Ed R

FWIW, I just happened on this while trolling for a different  thread.  I do believe that many of you know who the  prize winner was.

Even though my thing is tinplate..that is an extraordinary model.

BTW: The FTs are starting to come out. Here are some Production Pics.

Note: We are adding the Red/Yellow/Black Striping to the Grills. Also Silver Lower Light Frame.

My M arrived tonight, so this will be short. I think everyone will be well pleased with it. Sorry, the light was fading fast, so no pictures until maybe tomorrow. Suffice it to say that Scott's video doesn't do it justice. This is a very nice looking engine. Some extras included in the box that I like are the separate "Sunflower" spark arrester and footboard pilot. My version came with the road pilot installed.

There are a couple of minor things that could have been done better, but, more on that later when I can post some pictures. Mine came with one little error that even Disney World made. It was about a one minute fix, but, I'll let you see if you can find it.

I think those of you who have ordered this engine will find it to be a nice addition to your roster. Those of you who haven't might want to get your orders in before they are gone.

One more thing I would like to say:

Years ago, before Mort Mann passed away, I had asked him if 3rd Rail would ever make an N&W Class M. He personally wrote me that they would. Time went on and sadly Mort passed away. Since then, there have been many nay-sayers that an O Scale N&W Class M would ever be built. I would personally like to thank Scott Mann for making good on his father's word. Mort would be proud. Nice job Lad!

One more of oh so many reasons Joe G left way too soon.

Allan

I was going to hold off, but can't. Jimmy and Joe were instrumental in getting the Ms into a form that was not only accurate but respectable. Joe put his heart and soul into the drawings and corrections, even though the builder was inadequate at the time. I couldn't believe he passed so quickly. I was so disgusted with the builder's delays and excuses I yanked the project from them loosing my entire deposit. Our premier builder couldn't use any of the parts or design, they were all wrong. So we rebuilt it from the ground up. With Joe's direction from his notes, and Jimmy's attention to detail, we got the new design on track and here it is. Rest in peace Joe. Really sorry we couldn't share this with you.

Scott

Most of us have no clue what it takes to bring a product to market. Scott, I had no idea what you had gone through with this model. Thank you for your efforts!

The M will be my fifth 3rd Rail engine and from the looks of things, may be one of the best. "Out for Delivery". Looks like I've got a Christmas in August to look forward to this afternoon...

Keep making N&W steam, and I'll keep buying them.

Gilly

Here are some pictures of the big tender version. I did not get the small tender or Strasburg versions.

Notice the children dressed up in their little RR outfits sitting in the cab.   I have no idea how they got there!

All of the windows have glazing except the small side windbreakers.

It was nice that Scott was able to get the correct type of top mount double check valve made where the pipes enter from the back. The N&W used this type a lot their smaller locos.

The cab vent opens and as I said before, included is a "Sunflower" smoke arrester and footboard pilot.

There are enough hooks along the bottom side sill of the tender to hang wreck chains and such.

Jim,

One minute valve gear fix.

What's wrong with the valve gear that needs to be fixed?

I guess you would have had to seen the "before & after" photos?

I'm guessing it's Walschaerts vs Baker valve gear. The 475 has Baker valve gear.

Not to bust on Scott Mann, but the three cab numbers turned into six! The three versions according to the shipping carton, are: 392, 396, 422, 433, 475, & 495. I received cab#495. My first reaction was "nutz, there goes my Virginia Creeper". A quick internet search returned with Cab #495 on-point in Abingdon. Scha-wing, score!!! I'm a happy camper....

FWIW, it would be nice to be able to pick the cab# in the preorder. Scott, how about a mixed consist to go along with this beautiful engine? Need a heavyweight Combine, Coach, and 3-5 freight cars. If you don't want to get into the freight, maybe you can matrix with Atlas Master Line!

Gilly 

After seeing those beautiful pictures, looks like my bank account may shrink a bit!

Quick question - does the front coupler work?  Or, can it be replaced with a Kadee?

Thanks...gregg 

Thanks - done!  Just ordered the Strasburg version.

You are smokin' hot. Look again at how it is installed. Mine were upside down. Disney made the same mistake on an interurban car or trolly that was a prop at one of their rides. No big deal, took less than a minute to fix.

Gregg,

I don't see why a you couldn't fit a Kadee in there. A small screw holds it in.

quote:

Jim,

One minute valve gear fix.

Haven't fiddled with that yet. It does look to be a bit in reverse, eh?.  

I hope someone posts pictures of their small tender and Strasburg versions.

Indeed it does.

That is a homerun!  What an excellent model of the M, it's just stunning.

Guess it depends on which one you're talking about...

Rusty

quote:

Guess it depends on which one you're talking about...

How do you figure that? The bottom photo has Walshearts valve gear, very much unlike the model's (and top photo) Baker valve gear.

I assumed folks were talking about the rear facing union link and combination lever location...

Rusty

Oh oh. The coupler on prototype #444 is upside down!  Just kidding.

 Looks like a very nice model of a very worthy locomotive. Should make the branch-line modeling enthusiasts quite happy. Thank God for Sunset Models!!!

Here is #396 at West Jefferson.

Ditto. One screw, flipped the knuckle, done.

Louis Newton (Rails Remembered 3) referenced "my" Cab #495 during his trip on the Virginia Creeper. From all of the pictures I have seen, Cab#495 was a high headlight, 4 axle tender engine. I would be more than interested in seeing any pictures of Cab#495 with the centered headlight/6 axle tender combination.

The spark arrester and extra pilot are very nice touches.

Gilly

Thanks for the photos Jim - looks like a museum model.  I'd say those are worth a good magazine article or two, if lightened up just a hair.  Nice tribute to Joe.

Yes, it is very nice.

I'm still hoping that someone will post pics of their Strasburg or short tender version.

It is a nice little piece. I got the version shown above this week and the other version should be coming. Unfortunately, I think mine is one of the six that got sent back. If nobody has posted photos by then, I can post when it arrives.

A Quick Update: The models for relettering arrived at the factory on Saturday. I will be there on Monday to direct the relettering work. These should go back out this Friday and be back in our warehouse by the end of August.

Scott - China

Scott, 

I tried emailing you twice last week about a problem with the cow catcher pilot on my model. Is there someone else I should contact at 3rd rail or should I wait until you return to the states?

Hey guys, here are a few quick shots of the other version.

Christopher,

Outstanding photography (as usual). Thank you for posting these pics.

Gilly

Thanks Gilly.