Sunset Anniversary Series D&RGW L-131 Arrived Today - Pictures

Bill,

Beautiful. Scott sure knows how to build quality models at a value price.

who would have thought we'd be able to get decoders in 2R from the factory?

love the model. Let's see video when you get time.

Bill,

As beautiful as is your picture, one needs to click on the photo where it expands and blossoms into even more glory like a butterfly opening its wings.  Simply a magnificent looking engine.

Using different references shows the Allegheny was designed (two per consist, one on the point and one as a pusher) to power 11,500 ton coal trains on a 0.57% eastward climb from White Silver Springs to the top of it's namesake, whereas the DRG L-131 hauled 3,300 tons on the east side of the Continental Divide over a max 1.42% grade, and 1,400 tons on the west slope where the max grade is 3%. It certainly illustrates that far more motive power is used for lifting than running level.

As for color, the green certainly strikes my fancy.  You just  caused me to order one in 3R. 

Whoah!!!!    Simply outstanding... not to mention tempting!!! 

The best part, that new train smell!!! Beautiful loco, aint it nice to have it run top notch right out of the box. Its always a pleasure to get Scott's models

The DCC equipped from the factory model: can one also run the engine on straight DC?  That is, is there a switch on the model that one can operate to switch between the two ?

Steve, I believe it sould be similar to the Sunset diesels wherein the electronics will sense whether you are running on DC or DCC.

The QSI Q2 Titan Magnum can definitely operate in both DC and DCC modes for steam and diesel decoders.   There is a CV which can be set to enable or disable DC operation.  If it's enabled as RHEIL says above the decoder will sense whether you are running in DC or DCC mode.  All of Sunset's engines to date including the L-131 are loaded with this Q2 production firmware.

The last time I checked the newer Q3 ET firmware for steam engines is still in beta and the DC operation is not available.  I think the Q3 ET for diesels has both modes. 

Your best bet is to read all about it in the status updates and manuals found on the QSI Solutions website. 

I don't model 2 rail but I agree that this is a great engine - typical of Sunset 3rd Rail's best output. 

I'd be interested to see the inside of the cab!

Hancock52, as you know there is also a 3 rail version of the L-131.  The DCC vs DC discussion clearly should be over on the 2 Rail forum.

Austin Bill posted:

Hancock52, as you know there is also a 3 rail version of the L-131.  The DCC vs DC discussion clearly should be over on the 2 Rail forum.

I've nothing to contribute to that discussion although broadly I understand the issue and why it's important. (My only interest in the wider subject is why sound and lighting effects under DCC are so often superior to what the main AC manufacturers offer. But that's not a hobby horse for this thread either!)

As far as my own inquiry is concerned, I assume that the main detailing of these models will be the same whether they are powered by 3rail AC or 2rail DC. I decided I could answer my own question by checking up the 3Rail brochure from which I have extracted this image of the cab area:

Nicely done, IMO.

Thanks to all who contributed to my inquiry.  I'll be looking at the QSI Solutions website for more information.

Steve

Hancock52.  Since the overhead cab light is on in the picture.  (It and the light in the dog house automatically go off a couple of seconds after the engine starts to move) you can't really tell but with the cab light off the gauges are individually back lit with just the right amount of light to really look good and the details in each gauge are enhanced.  Awesome.

Steam Guy.  If you don't find the info you need in the QSI on-line info suggest you do a topic over on the 2 Rail forum since it's more appropriate and there might be more answers over there.  Again, my apology for introducing DCC content on the 3RS forum.  But, my final words to all over here are -- one of the main reasons I changed from 3RS to 2 Rail (along with 2 rail track)  is the vastly increased number of options available from many competing DCC and decoder manufacturers in the NMRA DCC open architecture vs. the TMCC/Legacy/DCS proprietary closed offerings.  Wide selection of whistles, bells and engine sounds, lighting and motor control performance.  Parting thought on DCC.  No mas. 

Back on topic.  The L-131 3 rail and 2 rail versions are identical from the wheels up.  In addition to the 3 rail wheel flanges being deeper the 3 rail wheels have a much wider tread.  And of course blind flanges are on the 3 rail versions on some wheels as needed to negotiate the sharper curves in 3 rail.  Sitting on the track and from 3 feet away I have to look really hard to tell the difference - except for the big stock pumpkin coupler on the tender which 3RS modelers often convert to a scale coupler -- while doing the same to rolling stock.    It's all good.  This engine is outstanding in both formats.