This one should bring a lot of discussion here and liven up a somewhat boring summer!
There are going to be a lot of choices.
Norm
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IDK, The F3 has been done nearly to death from plastic to brass from scale to semi- scale. I hope they get the PRR version correct with the OEM small number board and marker light combo on the nose!
prrhorseshoecurve posted:IDK, The Fe has been done nearly to death from plastic to brass from scale to semi- scale. I hope they get the PRR version correct with the OEM small number board and marker light combo on the nose!
Maybe SOMEDAY you'll get it, that those are CLASS LIGHTS on the front of locomotives!
I am excited by this notice. It's nice that is finally out in the public. We've discussed it for a while. I am interested because nearly all my PRR is basically Sunset / 3RD rail these days and adding an AB set to the collection will allow me to mix FP7s, F7s and F3s to build larger consists.
prrhorseshoecurve posted:IDK, The F3 has been done nearly to death from plastic to brass from scale to semi- scale.
At least these will have a quality drive and hopefully better road specific details.
GG1 4877 posted:I am excited by this notice. It's nice that is finally out in the public. We've discussed it for a while. I am interested because nearly all my PRR is basically Sunset / 3RD rail these days and adding an AB set to the collection will allow me to mix FP7s, F7s and F3s to build larger consists.
Now if only we could get an FP7 rerun. I was not able to purchase any last time and, like most #rd Rail diesel offerings, they are next to impossible to find on the used market.
I would like to see the Northern Pacific F3 in the pre-1954 passenger scheme. Those were almost always run in an ABB formation, as I understand it, which makes for a nice continuous line on the "butter knife" with the passenger cars (hopefully the GGD North Coast Limited will be done in this scheme eventually).
The post-1954 scheme is nice, but it has been done to death, just my opinion, of course. The original pre-1954 scheme has not been done on an F3 in O scale, as far as I know. MTH did some F7 a few years ago, but they were really poorly done, the colors were way off and they were sold only as an ABA set.
ecd15 posted:GG1 4877 posted:I am excited by this notice. It's nice that is finally out in the public. We've discussed it for a while. I am interested because nearly all my PRR is basically Sunset / 3RD rail these days and adding an AB set to the collection will allow me to mix FP7s, F7s and F3s to build larger consists.
Now if only we could get an FP7 rerun. I was not able to purchase any last time and, like most #rd Rail diesel offerings, they are next to impossible to find on the used market.
Are you looking for a 2 or 3 rail FP7? I believe Scott has some 2 rail units that were returns that he never resold. They are DGLE as I understand.
GG1 4877 posted:ecd15 posted:GG1 4877 posted:I am excited by this notice. It's nice that is finally out in the public. We've discussed it for a while. I am interested because nearly all my PRR is basically Sunset / 3RD rail these days and adding an AB set to the collection will allow me to mix FP7s, F7s and F3s to build larger consists.
Now if only we could get an FP7 rerun. I was not able to purchase any last time and, like most #rd Rail diesel offerings, they are next to impossible to find on the used market.
Are you looking for a 2 or 3 rail FP7? I believe Scott has some 2 rail units that were returns that he never resold. They are DGLE as I understand.
I would be interested in 2 rail units, but I am looking for SP units, not PRR.
ecd15 posted:I would be interested in 2 rail units, but I am looking for SP units, not PRR.
Bob,
Shoot. Yes, there aren't any SP ones available for sure. However, a second run may be possible down the road. You never know when it makes sense to do a small run of 300 or so units to fill in for another similar model. Can't say when that might be though. That's Scott's decision.
PRR with the OEM numberboards and class lights would be nice. I am still a bit confused on the 3rd Rail offerings as far as fixed pilots and Kadees. Do they come with everything like Atlas or do you have to order separately?
You can be pretty certain that they will come with the OEM numberboards and class lights. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think class lights or numberboards were one of the "betterments" done to the F3s.
As to how they are offered, they come with a fixed pilot screwed to the body. The three rail version has a larger opening for the claw. The 2 rail versions have a scale opening for the Kadee coupler. Since these are brass castings, the fully scale pilot is a separate order item for the 3 rail locomotive.
OK thx Jonathan. Is there a link yet?
Norm Charbonneau posted:OK thx Jonathan. Is there a link yet?
http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.htm
First item in the list this time!
Tough being the modeler of a geographically small railroad. LOL
Hopefully 3rd Rail will do a SD7/9 re-issue ..... in Conrail. The possibility of which was casually mentioned. I can now save my nickels for two of those. lol
Enjoy your new F3's everybody .... I bet they will be sweet, and worth the wait!
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What colors will the ACL and Southern units be produced? Looked on your website and it just had a listing of roads available.
Has anyone operated these in a consist (or lashup) with Lionel or MTH?
Maybe I will bite the bullet this time for a single A unit.
The Phase IV was really an F5 (for some roads) which closely resembled the F7 from the exterior. It would be nice for 3rd Rail to make a Phase I F3 (same carbody as F2 with improved traction motors) since it would be easy to "fake" an F2 for some roads.
Any possibilities?
Larry Neal posted:The Phase IV was really an F5 (for some roads) which closely resembled the F7 from the exterior. It would be nice for 3rd Rail to make a Phase I F3 (same carbody as F2 with improved traction motors) since it would be easy to "fake" an F2 for some roads.
Any possibilities?
An EXCELLENT suggestion. Especially since the CB&Q quickly discovered that an A-B-B-A consist of FT units was just a bit too much power for their needs. Thus, the CB&Q purchased A-A pairs of F2A units, and then split the FT sets in half, using an F2A on the "other end", making an FT A-B (drawbared together) plus and F2A.
Is it correct that the WP only had the passenger version F3's? I will be in for a WP F3B unit to run with my FP7.
When will 3rd Rail get around to F9's???
Do let me know if 3rd Rail contemplates this F3
mwb posted:Do let me know if 3rd Rail contemplates this F3
Well THAT sure isn't an Electro-Motive product!
Looking forward to seeing how the NYC f3 come out
What's the demo F3 look like? There is the fancy one that mth did for their first F3 and
there is the two tone grey scheme that Atlas O did for their Golden Spike club.
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I wish there was some leftover 3 rail FP7 for the PRR. I would take either scheme!
As-built paint for Phase IV F3's for Southern is the green/yellow, (I believe units 4173-4206).
All SOU Phase IV had the big numberboards (not FT-style) and FARR SS grilles.
I'm guessing since in general, an EMD Phase IV F3 almost looks identical (minus the grids?) to F7's, it's an easy tool modification (if at all) for Scott to offer these late F3's. For Southern at least…basically buying an F7 with F3 road numbers.
If Scott decides to offer the Black Tux Scheme with all of the spotting features below, I could be persuaded to get some.
Black Tux spotting features includes:
- M5 horn and Firecracker antenna (put it in the box)
- dynamic brake fan near cab
- maintenance walkway on side/grab irons on the nose,
- de-skirted fuel tanks
- Rooftop Cooling Coils, much easier to make than the E8 air tanks (Unfortunately the F3A's with rooftop air tanks are an earlier phase..Phase II early with the chicken wire and other fun stuff.
Will these have fixed pilots
I emailed Scott earlier. He will be adding the SF Freight "Cat whiskers" scheme.
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Which GRAND TRUNK WESTERN scheme do they have planned?
The 1940's scheme, The 1950's scheme, the 1960's scheme?
I have to wait for the artwork.
Andrew
If 3rd Rail is going to do only the Phase IV F3, I may have to pass. I would want to run an ABA set, but the Pennsy did not buy any Phase IV B units. The one picture I've seen with a Phase IV F3A (stainless steel grill) had a Phase II (Late) or Phase III B unit with the chicken wire grill. I guess I could say the B-unit is an F5 (or Phase V) since externally they are the same as the Phase IV. I personally would have preferred an earlier Phase with the chicken wire so it would not look so much like an F7.
Also, the picture of the Santa Fe F3s on 3rd Rail's reservation page, aren't those Phase III engines? They still have the chicken wire in the top panel plus the four louvers between the two portholes.
prrhorseshoecurve posted:I wish there was some leftover 3 rail FP7 for the PRR. I would take either scheme!
I know this is off topic but would you have any interest in a A-A set of G scale MTH F-3 PRR's? (I thought they were F7s, so I looked it up at MTH).
They just sit here on my shelf.
I couldn't resist asking.
https://mthtrains.com/70-2007-1
I know this is off topic but would you have any interest in a A-A set of G scale MTH F-3 PRR's?
Sorry but no. 
That would be a dangerous slippery slope for me!
Originally posted by MWB:
Do let me know if 3rd Rail contemplates this F3:
I would be in for one TOO!
Many roads had F3s. I hope that 3rd Rail can do some roads that haven't been done by Atlas/MTH/Lionel. I would be in for some Maine Central units! Prefer the green/gold scheme, but the maroon and gold would get me to open my wallet, too.
MR-150 posted:Will these have fixed pilots
Yes. All Sunset/3rd Rail diesel models have fixed pilots, even the 3-Rail models. However, for 3-Rail models, Sunset/3rd Rail also offers a more scale appearing front pilot, without the big opening for the "claw", so that a Kadee coupler can be installed. That scale front pilot may be ordered separately.
The SOO LINE had 6 Phase IV A units and 1 Phase IV B units delivered in 1948.
If I were to get the SOO LINE it would have to be the 1960's era red & white paint scheme with the large SOO in extended bold Venus.
Andrew
I can not decide on the GRAND TRUNK WESTERN F3 Phase IV models if I do not know what paint scheme they are producing.
Would Rich Trowbridge be interested in the Grand Trunk Western F3/F5 models?
Andrew
Keep in mind that this is simply a product announcement. Details such as paint schemes, what phases will be produced, and road specific details will emerge.
As always with 3rd Rail projects, all of your input is critical to the success of the project. Everything is in flux to start to dial in what the customer wants. The, much like the E7 had many variations due to it being a transitional model between the FT and the F7. It is reasonable to think that many of the variations can be captured in the models.
In the meantime, all the input is greatly appreciated!
prrhorseshoecurve posted:Originally posted by MWB:
Do let me know if 3rd Rail contemplates this F3:
I would be in for one TOO!
Sheesh.
The model was imported by GEM many moons ago, and shows up on eBay fairly often, for a reasonable price. Add DCC and some improvements and there you go.
However, the F-3 another little engine with lower appeal vs. price, so I expect Sunset will avoid it.
GG1 4877 posted:Keep in mind that this is simply a product announcement. Details such as paint schemes, what phases will be produced, and road specific details will emerge.
As always with 3rd Rail projects, all of your input is critical to the success of the project. Everything is in flux to start to dial in what the customer wants. The, much like the E7 had many variations due to it being a transitional model between the FT and the F7. It is reasonable to think that many of the variations can be captured in the models.
In the meantime, all the input is greatly appreciated!
Jonathon,
You are right that 3rd Rail does many road variations of its engines, which is greatly appreciated by all. For the F3 their web site specifically states they are making the Phase IV version (which could also be an F5 or early F7). In an earlier post, someone mentioned this is probably because it is very similar to their recently release F7 so a lot of the molds can be reused. This is good business.
It will be interesting to see if 3rd Rail releases any earlier phases with the chicken wire along the top. That is when I will get excited. Right now I've been waiting for Atlas to release their F3 Phase II in Pennsy as delivered colors, which at this rate they may never do. Even if Atlas did, I would prefer a Phase II or III from 3rd Rail over Atlas.
I guess I can hold out hope for a Phase III from 3rd Rail since that is the picture they show on their reservation web site.
