Scott Mann? GS-4, Lark, Daylight diaphragm

you'll probably get a quicker response using this:

sdmann(at)3rdrail(dot)com

quote:

Originally posted by PRR Man:
you'll probably get a quicker response using this:

sdmann(at)3rdrail(dot)com

Not really in a hurry, just curious and thought other people might be interested in this information and might like to see it straight from the source.

It is hard not to reply...

GS-4 Design was reviewed by Gary Schrader and we just confirmed that all corrections were done properly. Contrary to our photos of the US Hobbies GS-4s our version will be of the later, with the number boards 1/2 way back on the skyline casing.

Look for a Spring arrival of the GS-4 in Black (WWII Paint Scheme), Daylight and Freedom Train colors.

The GS-2 will have to be rescheduled as a Short Run project in the future. The two engines were just too different. Actually 2 separate projects.

The SP Daylight Diaphragms are in the shipment with our E7s. It will take us some time to sort them and announce their arrival in a orderly way.

The Lark is a tough one. Just not enough orders to make a deal with the factory. But you never know how negotiations will turn out. Waiting for an opening in their schedule.

Scott Mann

Scott,

Any chance of producing a GS-5 model (road numbers 4458 & 4459)? The ONLY difference between a GS-4 and a GS-5 would be the roller bearing journal box covers on the trailing truck and tender trucks.

Also, whill the "black versions" be with-out skirts and what road numbers are you considering? How about numbers 4444, or 4457 (the last GS-4)?

Scott,

I hope you guys can get enough orders for the Lark, any chance of separate cars?\

I really need some sleepers for my Rock Island efforts.. PALEAZE!

Select images of The Coach Yard's recently completed Espee Lark

This is a stunning set for sure. In O scale, WOW.







A lot of your research materials are right here, colors and a lot of rebuild specific details.

Just for giggles, the Espee home built dome.. in the late 1960's era Sunset Limited paint.




Check out that Waukesha Ice AC!

Hot Water, I have been hounding Scott about doing the black version without side skirts, or at least the option to remove them. I was even pushing the economic side of it as he could then produce the partial daylight version without any more investment and could be first to market. It sounds like the decision was already made to have full skirts. I'm hoping someone can help to change his mind.

quote:

Originally posted by audidriven:
Hot Water, I have been hounding Scott about doing the black version without side skirts, or at least the option to remove them. I was even pushing the economic side of it as he could then produce the partial daylight version without any more investment and could be first to market. It sounds like the decision was already made to have full skirts. I'm hoping someone can help to change his mind.

Well, I sure don't know about "economic side of it", because it will be MUCH more expensive to produce a model without the skirting, which will then show all that detailing which is hidden by the skirts!

Since I model the "mid 1950s", I would prefer a "black un-skirted" model, which should show all that "stuff" hidden by the skirts, such as all the booster piping, Worthington Feedwater pump, twin cross compound air compressors on the Fireman's side, air cooling coils, and the power reverse on the Engineer's side (among lots of other stuff).

Correct. It would only be economical if he produced it that way originally with no side skirts and two paint options since it would basically be a hybrid of the black and daylight versions that they were doing anyway. Selfishly I want the no skirt version because we are flooded with full skirt daylights, although 3rd Rail's will be the best. I was hoping MTH wouldn't be my only option for it.

The removable side skirts was an after thought as I'm pretty sure I recall seeing the option in HO scale once, but yes, it would not come cheap.

quote:

no side skirts and two paint options

That wouldn't be correct, since none of the GS-4 locomotives retained the red, orande, & black Daylight paint styling WITHOUT skirts.

Am I way off base? I know I have a book that shows several GS class engines in partial daylight but it was a couple years since I cracked it open. I assumed they were GS-4's since I recently saw a photo of one in HO by Key Imports. That was all I could find at the time when I was emailing Scott from work.

Just to clarify, when I say partial daylight I'm referring to just the cab and tender painted. It looks like I'll be digging out that book tonight to see what I was looking at. I'm hoping I don't have to admit that I'm a complete buffoon here, but it wouldn't be the first time.

Me too - it was either GS 4 or less likely GS 5. I think I will guess: 4444.

Take heart: Sunset is not given to producing less detail than USH, and the skirted USH GS 4 can be converted to shirtless with a screwdriver in two minutes flat. All the pumps and pipes are there.

It must have been short lived. It said 10 engines made it out in 1950 in the partial daylight. 4444 as Bob mentions and 4438 were the 2 I saw. However, I thought it was standard at the time and not something that ran as they awaited the paint shop. Even though it looks nice, it's probably not worth modeling something so short lived. I'll side with Hot Water and push for a black version without skirting and be happy with my daylight MT-4 instead. I think I'm too eager to have any daylight model and know we are running out of options. P-14 anyone?

I suggested P 14 to Weaver, since they were looking for a streamlined project. I did not care for the nose, but I saw one in the flesh around 1949.

Again, you want a skirt less version, I bet you can just take the skirts off.

iPad will not let me type skirtless. It becomes shirtless - must be a politically correct correction.

OK, I LOVE SP. But I always tought the TTG was better than DAYLIGHT. Simple but elegant. Too bad we never say a steamer or diesel painted that way.

I would definitely want the full skirted version of the P-14. Hopefully it will happen some day.

I'm pretty new to the forum and I'm glad to see others have an interest in getting other models made. You can't beat the look of SP's skyline casings so I'm all for any of the the GS class engines that had them and would get in line for the GS-5 and GS-6 as well, although the non-skyline GS-1 would also be a great model. Have the modelers had much input regarding what 3rd Rail has made over the years or is it decided amongst a select few? Just curious.

quote:

Have the modelers had much input regarding what 3rd Rail has made over the years or is it decided amongst a select few? Just curious.

I represent Sunset/GGD at many 2 rail shows including Chicago, Indy, Cleveland,
O Scale National Convention and numerous other smaller 2 rail shows as well as the TCA York shows that Scott also attends. The primary purposes of attending these shows is to display product and obtain input on what buyers want to see produced.

Not only do modelers have substantial input on what products are produced but also on what improvements need to be made in future projects.

D-A-M-N they look sweet!

Scott, before I die I hope to see some Seaboard Silver Meteor cars, if that's alright with you Just in case, I'll start saving my pocket change now

Erik,

That SP Sunset 3/4 dome/observation car is an absolute 'killer' and the quality of your detail photos are excellent. I'm assuming its (HO Scale) and never previously modeled in O scale. The folks at 'Bayshore Car & Foundry' have been promising to do this car for the last couple of years but given their current financial difficulties it unfortunately won't be happening anytime soon. What a real shame!

If Scott ever decided to import this car and or the complete SP Sunset passenger consist I'm sure it would be an immediate sellout - especially for SP fans.

Again, one can only dream........

Dare I thought you were talking about the real lark trains. We own the heavy weight  SP Meadow Lark car,1929 pullman, and are restoring it currently. I would love any photo's that anyone might have of it.

 

Jamie