Poor paint quality Amtrak FP45

I can see slight imperfections in the striping but the same can be said for just about every locomotive that I’ve owned. Even the real ones have some anomalies in the paint upon further inspection.

It’s just me, but I wouldn’t get hung up on such a minor flaw and enjoy running it. I suspect the other Amtrak FP45’s are painted the same. The fact that your dealer has sold 30 of these without one single complaint about the striping should tell you something.

After going through the posted pictures, I wouldn’t call all the imperfections slight.  It is unfortunate that the stripes are so sloppy.  I don’t have one of these engines, so I cannot compare.  Although all the imperfections would not likely be noticed when running around the layout, they would still bother me.

There are so many posts on this forum that reflect the differences in the culture of this hobby between those who accept less than perfect manufacturing, and those who don’t.  You will have to decide which camp you are in.

Looks good to me....

I don’t think the stripes are painted on, I th8nk they are rubber stamped on which is why it doesn’t go into the crack or around the features. I don’t consider that to be a big deal especially if looking at the first photo.

I don't own any but I think the FP45 is a great looking engine. I wouldn't worry about it-enjoy it !

I see it and understand what your saying, me I would be OK with it. I have seen it on other engines.

I don't see anything wrong with the stripes. And believe me I don't accept any imperfections if I can notice it. 

Dave

Steve OP............ I see what you are talking about, the worst one is on the engineer side with the red going down towards that side vent. I wonder how that happened because it almost looks like they wanted that way ?  Either way I would still keep it especially since all the others are that way.  I think we got use to MTH perfect paint jobs of the MTH past. I would still bring it to the attention of MTH. They need to know how there product is doing.

Clem

Traintrack posted:

I don't think the stripes are up to the usual MTH high paint quality - especially in the two photos above. Some of the other defects look like what you might find on an actual locomotive. But, I think it is subpar. MTH should be informed of your dissatisfaction.

MELGAR

Matt Makens posted:

I don’t think the stripes are painted on, I th8nk they are rubber stamped on which is why it doesn’t go into the crack or around the features. I don’t consider that to be a big deal especially if looking at the first photo.

I agree. This is nothing that can't be fixed with a zero brush and some testors paint. The paint passes the two foot rule for sure. . Also note this loco is a RAILKING scale loco as opposed to a Premier loco. For what you paid and the features you got on this loco, you received a bargain! I have the Bloody Nose version of this loco from two years ago and I am happy with it, squashed fuel tank and detail imperfections et al.

I can see why your dealer will sell out of this item easily. IT's your choice but IF you let it go you may have second thoughts! 

Looks pretty good to me.  Paint would not likely be on hinges, between door and frame, etc. on the prototype either, since those are sites of wear and gaskets in most cases.  I wouldn't have even noticed these issues.

OP, if you are unhappy with the locomotive send it back for refund since it's unlikely you'll find a better one--it's your opinion that counts, and yours alone. 

I bought this loco, and the phase 1 versions a few years ago.  My only issue is that I choose to remove the front handrails so that it looks more like the SDP40 that it is standing in for. Behind the base of the rail where it rests against the walkway the paint is not finished well and requires touch up.  The factory would not expect that anyone would need that area to look nice as its covered by the handrail part. In the MTH online catalog pics, they do not show the handrails.  Minor issue though that I corrected on the red nose phase 1 units, and my new phase 3 version awaits a silver touch up job. 

I also would have bought a dummy to match the phase 3 power unit #634. 

Happy with paint on mine though!

Some people here need glasses. Looks like a 6 yr old art project .

Does it run ok. If it does forget the paint. Ive got the latest from Lionel and I wish paint was their only problem.

It's within the limits of pad printing. The stripes are pad printed and not painted. The silicon pad has limits on how deep it will get into deep cut details.  If I was QC I sign off as 'working as designed'. Painting all those stripes with the number cut outs would double the cost of the loco. 

PRRHORESHOECURVE: "Also note this loco is a RAILKING scale loco as opposed to a Premier loco. For what you paid and the features you got on this loco, you received a bargain!"

I would think the same shells from the RAILKING line get applied to a Premier locomotive. So, if that's the case, do the imperfections on these locomotive bodies then become an issue because someone paid more for the Premier locomotive?

I don't know what the OP paid for his, but, I found one with a price of $330 dollars. I know $330 dollars is pocket change for some, but, for others it can be a major purchase. I think for that amount, it better be without the imperfections seen on the OP photographs.

I was in HO years ago and painted a lot of my locomotives and rolling stock because what I wanted you couldn't buy. I was pretty tough on myself when it came to my own QC. That paint job on that FP45 wouldn't have made the cut, period.

Rusty

I could definitely be wrong but I don’t think that Railking shells are used in the production of Premier locos. Premier locos have more detail and are held to a higher standard. That’s why you pay so much more. I can understand OP’s frustration, but this is a Railking loco, and paint jobs aren’t always perfect. I’d even consider this prototypical. When the handful of SDP40Fs that survived to Phase III got painted, their days were numbered. In prototype photos, it looks like what some of you consider to be imperfections exist in roughly the same spots as they do on the real thing. I doubt Beech Grove wanted to waste its time correcting minor imperfections on locomotives soon to be turned into F40PHRs/taken out of service.

weather it just a bit and it will look right at home

I've recently returned 2 Premier models because of poor paint finish and both vendors agreed which were not up to the same standard the other locos I own.  The OP has every right to be unhappy with the paint finish regardless of whether it's an RK model.  

yamaha226 posted:

Some people here need glasses. Looks like a 6 yr old art project .

yamaha226 posted:

The paint is perfect on a two dollar matchbox.

I think we get it, you don't approve.

This engine shell was previously used in the Premier line back in 1997, it has be since downgraded to a Railking scale offering.  While up close yo u can notice the paint, I don't think the average Joe will notice it while running it on a layout. I think it's good for the $290 street price (at Legacy Station).

Perhaps others with the same model can examine and post pics of theirs for comparison.

My MTH Premier model of Amtrak EMD F40PH #297 is a PS1 version that I purchased around 1999. It does not have the detail of current MTH Premier models. Pictures for comparison with the similar FP45 that is being discussed. The paint application is typical of MTH paint quality – near perfect in my opinion.

MELGAR

You Know 57 out of 58 ain't too bad.57 PERFECT paint jobs,One you don't like.I think you"ve done well overall.

Looking at my new FP45 there are places where the paint doesnt quite fill door seams, latches, etc.  It isnt noticeable enough for me to worry too much about.  

Here are some pics of my loco.  Including the paint under the front railings I remove on these locomotives. I need to touch this up, although at second look at a real Amtrak locomotive it may be closer to the truth.  This paint issue is normally not going to be seen by most who leave the front railings on as the FP45 would have.  But given that this is substituting for the SDP40F which had no front porch or railings, I am trying to get closer to the look of the SDP40F.  I will apply silver paint to the entire surface of the area affected where the railings were.

MELGAR posted:

Traintrack posted:

I don't think the stripes are up to the usual MTH high paint quality - especially in the two photos above. Some of the other defects look like what you might find on an actual locomotive. But, I think it is subpar. MTH should be informed of your dissatisfaction.

MELGAR

These are the same two areas that would bother me. It looks like a masking issue. Complicated process painting these. But, look at the detail of the builder's plate on a RailKing engine. 

Send these two pics to MTH and note your displeasure. Have it touched up and keep it. Be careful not to make it worse.

VistaDomeScott posted:

I am hoping a phase 2 version will be next!

If not I’m sure Christine would be happy to paint one for you.

FEEDBACK FROM OTHER OWNERS - I just received a "New MTH Amtrak FP45?" unit today from Trainworld.  There is almost 1/2" on both sides from the edge of the cowl to the side of the fuel tank.  If that's how it was built, it looks ridiculous as if a fuel tank was taken off of an 027 diesel and slapped on this model.

Please let me know if others have this gap or of fuel tanks are flush with edge of model? 

Thanks in Advance!

Those S scale fuel tanks are hideous.

@VistaDomeScott posted:

Traintrack, if you want total perfection in an Amtrak unit, try one of the just released E8 units.  Simply stunning!!!  I hate the station sounds choices though, the "Minute Man" making a station stop at Baltimore, MD with E-8's !!! The voices used are awful as well.  My station stops will not use the MTH dialogue!  

Hi Scott,

I have the PS 2.0 Amtrak ABA set with Mars lights on the A units and The Empire State Express PSA and the PS 3.0 Amtrak ABA set with The Floridian PSA.  Yours look real nice with the nose grab irons and the PRR tow brackets.  I have the Weaver Amtrak E-8's and prefer the darker blue and red colors though.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I agree. This is nothing that can't be fixed with a zero brush and some testors paint. The paint passes the two foot rule for sure. . Also note this loco is a RAILKING scale loco as opposed to a Premier loco. For what you paid and the features you got on this loco, you received a bargain! I have the Bloody Nose version of this loco from two years ago and I am happy with it, squashed fuel tank and detail imperfections et al.

I can see why your dealer will sell out of this item easily. IT's your choice but IF you let it go you may have second thoughts! 

I am very happy with mine also.  It's the best pulling MTH engine I have with a non-powered unit and 11 Weaver 20" aluminum cars (10 lighted with a total of 40 incandescent bulbs drawing power) behind it and still pulling strong.

@DETROIT posted:

FEEDBACK FROM OTHER OWNERS - I just received a "New MTH Amtrak FP45?" unit today from Trainworld.  There is almost 1/2" on both sides from the edge of the cowl to the side of the fuel tank.  If that's how it was built, it looks ridiculous as if a fuel tank was taken off of an 027 diesel and slapped on this model.

Please let me know if others have this gap or of fuel tanks are flush with edge of model? 

Thanks in Advance!

Yes the fuel tanks were never scaled out to full O scale- even in the initial Premier roll out back last century . This is why The model is in the Railking Scale line- along with the fact that Amtrak never had the FP45 model to begin with. Amtrak's first new 6 axle diesel was the SDP40F which had different engine and rear cowl end arrangement than the FP45 and was a bit longer- like an SD50.

No O scale/O gauge importer/ manufacturer has made a EMD SDP40F. This is about as close as you can get now in O Scale/ O Gauge SDP4OF unless you kitbash/scratch build your own OR HOUND Scott Mann at 3rd Rail to make an actual SDP40F model.

Look at the brite side, its more scale than the Williams version!

Among other detail upgrades, I cut the tank long ways to widen it and shimmed it down for a more scale appearance. That’s better, but still not ideal. Here are a few views:

I’ve got some full scale EMD tanks in my parts box, but before using one As a replacement I’ll have to do some surgery to move the cast-in air tanks to a more centered position. 

RM

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

Yes the fuel tanks were never scaled out to full O scale- even in the initial Premier roll out back last century . This is why The model is in the Railking Scale line- along with the fact that Amtrak never had the FP45 model to begin with. Amtrak's first new 6 axle diesel was the SDP40F which had different engine and rear cowl end arrangement than the FP45 and was a bit longer- like an SD50.

No O scale/O gauge importer/ manufacturer has made a EMD SDP40F. This is about as close as you can get now in O Scale/ O Gauge SDP4OF unless you kitbash/scratch build your own OR HOUND Scott Mann at 3rd Rail to make an actual SDP40F model.

Look at the brite side, its more scale than the Williams version!

Yes, better than Williams!!! So close, other than the tank, it's really nice.  It some point perhaps I'll kitbash, cut tank up the middle and re-mount.  I appreciate your reply.

Someone told me.   “Once the train is moving you don’t see the imperfections “

You're right but God it looks terrible when it's standing still!