North coast limited F3's

Good question, David. I don't recall them, but there are K-Line F units that are out there now on the big auction board in the North Coast Limited paint scheme.

Even with the diesels, there is the matter of the availability of the passenger cars. K-Line did a beautiful job on a 4-pack and 2-pack NP North Coast Limited set in their 21" size. But try to find them. Really tough to get.

Sunset 3rd rail just offered them.  Pricey but worth it. I promise Santa to never sit on the fence again.. No dummies; except ME for sitting on the fence, Never again.  Now we just need to convince Scott to eventually run a prototypical North Coast Limited. I really don't wish to build all those domes!!!!

Don't think so but, MTH recently released a correct set of A-B-A NP NCL passenger F units.

David,

I second Hot Water's response. I have the MTH Premier NP "North Coast Limited" F-7 A-B-A. Matches my K-Line NCL cars almost perfectly.

And a TMCC version:

6-18147	NORTHERN PACIFIC F-3 AB SET (PASSENGER SCHEME)
630-8332-150	F3 AC MOTOR REFERENCE LIST (ALSO COVERS 6002028100 MOTORS)
6-18146	Northern Pacific Non-Powered F3 B Unit #2390C (PASSENGER SCHEME)
6-18145	Northern Pacific TMCC F3 A POWERED #2390A (PASSENGER SCHEME)

EDIT:  The Legacy version is not the North Coast Limited paint scheme.  Efforts to delete this information has been unsuccessful.

The TMCC version p/n shows now results when used in the product search function on Lionel's website.

Lionel did an F3 set in the pre-Loewy scheme (not the beautiful two-tone green).  About the same time (perhaps same catalog) they inexplicably released a four-car set of full-length dome cars in the two-tone green, which made no sense.  There must have been some backlash from NP fans because a year or two later the Loewy scheme appeared on a set of F3s.  Never did see a matching set of normal NP cars after that.  MTH NP F3 units look nice except in the first release, they failed to put "Northern Pacific" across the B-unit.  In a recent catalog they again had an A-B-A set of F3 units in the Railking line.  The B-unit also did not have "Northern Pacific" across the top.  When I wrote MTH to ask, I was informed that the font of the text didn't fit across the engine.  Hmm..

"Matches my K-Line NCL cars almost perfectly."

If I remember, you were looking for these for quite awhile. Glad you found this set.

David, perhaps you can do a search for the seller from whom you bought 15" NP NCL cars.  I recall it was a set break-up since LIONEL had also produced a standard dome, combine or baggage, etc. in addition to the four pack of full domes.

I've read that a typical consist on the NCL was four domes, and per policy, there was always at least one non-dome car between domes, not to mention a baggage car, etc.  Sounds like a heckuva long O scale train.  Even at $300 per car, that's serious train money.

"Sunset 3rd rail just offered them.  Pricey but worth it."

I think this is the best option out there right now.

What a beautiful train - One of my favorites!

Lionel also made dummy A units and a 2 pack add on for the full dome set. A baggage car and observation car which goes for a high premium. I have the full passenger set and I like it.

Mark,

I've got the same set.  ABA 4 domes and the baggage/observation add-on.  I think the original set of 4 domes and the freight version F3's were part of the Heritage series.  I don't think the passenger F3's were originally cataloged - seem to remember them being in a flyer.

Fred

The NCL Loewy paint scheme is my favorite, also.  Fortunately, NP management nixed his idea for the observation car which is somewhat similar to the odd striping at the front A unit:

The last dome I built took 2,1/2 years to complete and cost well over 300 in kit price and parts. No labor. It was for my insurance man. His grandfather was Howard Dean. Its on his mantle at home. I for one would splurge so as to avoid the time lost and have an accurate consist. Seems NP was fond of buying used equipment so the train was a mis-mash of builders, not to mention strange window configurations and auxilary water and power car.  My son got his lesson in horse trading this Christmas when he purchased 2 4.4.2 sleepers and a coach from someone on the forum, I have too vintage Exacta models wraps that are waiting for Weavers backordered NP paint and decals I should pick up in Chicago. If I could avoid building the domes and they look as good as the TOT ones. I will not sit on the fence again. I promised Santa.

Does the Lionel 18145 match?

It is two tone green with a little white.

I did not buy any NCL cars yet.

Lionel only produced 6 NCL passenger cars.  Four pack full-domes and one two pack with an observation and a baggage car.

K-Line produced their own 15" NCL cars and F units.  They were the ones with the regular domes and other cars.  Personally, I think the K-Line cars and locomotives look better than the Lionel version.

K-Line made 21" long cars as well.

Fred

"K-Line made 21" long cars as well."

They sure did Fred, and they are beautiful cars.

aterry11, I need dark and light NP green paint and will be calling Weaver in the a.m. Monday.  I also need a couple of sets of the NP NCL passenger car decals.

Do you have a source for the passenger car decals or some spares? 

Pingman   The Weaver scalecoat 1 NP dark green in spray cans was backordered. I do not know about the regular bottles or the scalecoat 2 supply. The decals are a bear too find so I asked on another site and obtained info on a gentleman who is running the Script and the monads and numbers for me very reasonable for custom work and His decals seem very good . Supposed to pick them up at Chicago. If your sourcing for a build and not in a hurry then how many do you need? The decals I'm having printedcan be viewed at Pullman digital collection newberry library,  select browse go to page 41 drawing 817. this is the Pullman exterior arrangement two tone green NPltmd ltwt cars. Let me know if the dark green has come in yet please, spray can if possible I hate cleaning my airbrush. Thank you Terry 

Terry, thanks for the reference to the library; what an exceptional resource!

I'm going to do two more 15" LIONEL NP NCL cars.  One will be an observation car, and the other will be a dome coach, or domeless coach.  I'll then have an NP NCL or Mainstreeter train consist of F3 A and B units, and six cars (combo/coach, diner, sleeper, coach, dome/coach, and observation car). 

I'll be sure to let you know about the NP paint tomorrow. 

This is correct. I've had the Lionel version and currently own the K-Line version, with the 15" cars.

While the Lionel version is nice, the K-Line is nicer, with more detailed engines, with Mars lights, separate grab handles, etc. They have TMCC and R/S, plus DC can motors (Lionel version has the Pullmors), so you can add ERR cruise to them. The one thing more prototypical with the Lionels is that the "Northern Pacific" lettering on the B unit is written on the upper grill portion, whereas on the K-Line B unit the lettering is along the side. Not a huge deal.

The K-line 6-car aluminum passenger set has two regular domes, and the cars have full interiors with passenger figures, separate grab irons, rooftop antennas, etc. K-Line also made a matching heavyweight business observation car, the "Yellowstone." Overall, it's a really stunning set.

The K-Line A-A engines come up occasionally, but the B unit (which was a separate sale item) is very rare. Also, the passenger cars are extremely hard to find.

quote:

Has lionel ever done the Northern Pacific's north coast limited scheme in a F3 or F7

Terry, no NP dk. green in either Scalecoat I or II in cans, presently.