RARITY Alert! American Freedom Train [AFT] #610 made in VERY Low Numbers! Only 0 left!

I was similarly surprised to hear how few of these had been made.  When I run the Freedom Train at shows and events it brings plenty of interest from both the public and other collectors.  I know the price was high but when it was announced I did not hesitate to jump on it.  I have had to skip other train related purchases this year but this one will be well worth it.  I can't wait for it to arrive and complete my assortment of Freedom Train steam!

Rolland

Does this mean the train buying public is getting smarter? IMO, and although I have one, this  is second tier stuff (that will start something). Not  like having a NYC Hudson, a N&W J, a Southern Pacific Daylight, or any one of a whole lot of REAL steam trains that actually meant something in their day.

Gerry

The Freedom Train seemed pretty darned real when I saw it, and it, along with the Chessie steam specials, planted a seed of interest in mainline steam that previously hadn't germinated in my closed little mind...

I certainly would have loved to see steam in daily service, but my 1957 birth year made that impossible.

Jeff C

gmorlitz posted:

...or any one of a whole lot of REAL steam trains that actually meant something in their day.

Gerry

Not sure what you mean.  The American Freedom Train locomotive #610 [Ex T&P] was very real and pulled the AFT across Texas.  And I believe the AFT meant a lot to most Americans.

The low number of units doesn't really surprise me at all.  When we are talking runs of 100 units total, sometimes the 7 units do the job of filling out the orders.  It's a beautiful locomotive, just not in my budget.   

When I saw the Freedom Train in Asbury Park, NJ in 1976 at the old age of 7, it reinforced my love for the hobby.  It was the Reading T1 of course, but still wonderful memories.  I was lucky enough to see the 1975 CNJ commemorative run of the Blue Comet in Oceanport the year before.  It is these memories that will last forever.  I guess I don't understand the "real" steam train comment either. 

Wow, when I shot this in Oakland, California, I was 34. Don

scale rail posted:

Wow, when I shot this in Oakland, California, I was 34. Don

I was 33 when EMD GM assigned me to the support of 4449, in May of 1975. Been with her ever since. 

scale rail posted:

Wow, when I shot this in Oakland, California, I was 34. Don

If I'm not mistaken, that photo was taken in 1977 as AFT 4449 was on its return trip to Portland.  I was lucky enough to have had a friend from the RR museum have bought a ticket for me.  I rode behind from Salinas to Oakland, standing in a vestibule and leaning out to take pictures as we rounded curves.  Got home with a face full of soot.  I had either just graduated or was just about to graduate HS (can't remember what month it was) so I was 18 at the time.  It is an enduring memory, one of my fondest.

As for heresy, as fond as I am of her in this paint scheme, I love the Daylight colors and am planning on getting a model in that scheme.

You could be right, then I was 35, still doesn't make me feel any better. Boy that old Kodachrome sure holds up. I was working in TV then and shot lots of video or maybe film. I was the last guy in the bay area to shoot film for TV. I hated the new 3/4 inch video tape system. It was a giant step backwards. Not until Betacam came out did I like video tape. Don

Hot Water, could that be you on the engine? Don

  I wish I had the room when I see work like that. 

   The paint just may have made an impression on me too

I don't suppose that I could run yours on a 10" radius of old tube track   

Saw the freedom train in 1976 (age 13) with Dad. Need to find the pics. It just zoomed by so fast. We were along side the SP Tracks near Cupertino / Saratoga on Steven's Creek BLVD.

scale rail posted:

Hot Water, could that be you on the engine? Don

I doubt it, as I generally didn't wear a hat/cap.

Scott-

I am new to the 3rd rail process but will you be sending out tracking numbers to those who have placed an order once shipped?

The container arrived (Tuesday), we will make the UPS tags WEDNESDAY (CONTAINER DIDN'T COME UNTIL THE END OF THE DAY, Geezzzz. So look for the tracking number from UPS.COM WED.  We are shipping signature required due to the high value of these.

Shipping will begin Wed and take a few days, when the crew comes back and we will spot check a few models too before shipping. All were inspected by me and my Production manager in China. Loads of fun...

BTW: It was a sight to behold. Marcy (Wife / CFO) in the container pushing the boxes to the edge. Me and my Son Ryan stacking on pallets to shuttle into the warehouse.

We'll get them going tomorrow. 

Although I was interested in trains at the time, the Freedom Train escaped my notice until it arrived for its stop in Tempe Az.  I was walking to class at ASU and never got past the loco.  Spent the day gawking and talking to the crew.  I have a picture of me next to the drivers that one of the crew took with my Kodak Instamatic which I just happened to have in my car.  I was so fascinated with the loco (4449) that it never even occurred to me to take the tour!

The 610 will complete my collection of Freedom Train locos and I can't wait to get it!!!!

Rolland

WOW! That's a lot of space in that container.

I thought for sure your containers are usually packed like this.....

I just noticed..did the 3rd rail Freedom model get whitewalls on the drivers, or is the photo above the final production?

If they didn't, what would be the easiest way to paint them?

You can ship 120 models on 4 pallets LCL (Loose Container Load) or a 20' container. The cost is nearly the same. Container is much safer (fork lift damage)  and faster (10 days faster). Cost for either is about $2300 - $2800 depending on the season. The freight lines just cut their capacity due to volume of orders and prices have nearly doubled from August to September. 

We received orders for the 3 remaining 3R Freedom scheme #610. Thank you customers.

Scott Mann

So Scott, when are the HO versions coming out?

Jeff C

Surefire posted:

I just noticed..did the 3rd rail Freedom model get whitewalls on the drivers, or is the photo above the final production?

If they didn't, what would be the easiest way to paint them?

A zero brush and some white paint.

Put the loco on some test rollers and run it at slow speed to paint the tires on

"We received orders for the 3 remaining 3R Freedom scheme #610. Thank you customers."

This takes a lot of pressure off me, because I was thinking about one. But I will be happy with my Gray/Green boiler #610 when it shows up. If the 3 would have been another gray/green boiler or black in service I would not have hesitated.

Frees up room to get this 

Joe

sdmann posted:

Saw the freedom train in 1976 (age 13) with Dad. Need to find the pics. It just zoomed by so fast. We were along side the SP Tracks near Cupertino / Saratoga on Steven's Creek BLVD.

I lived in Birmingham for much of the 70 and 80s  One night in 1976 around 10pm I heard something  that sounded like a steam locomotive whistle so I grabbed a camera and the wife hopped in the car and drove towards the sound. This is what we found.

Got mine today....Stunning.