Sunset models E1’s & EA’s

@Andrew B. posted:

Just got mine.

I ordered B&O late, but the B unit is listed as early on the box. Is there a difference, or all the B&O Bs "early?"\

@strugglinman was your "B" listed as "early" on the box?

There is only one minor difference on the late and early B&O B units.  The early B unit has a gray pinstripe just above the sill line level of rivets and the late version does not.  I would reach out to Sunset and see if you can get it straightened out.  Someone probably has a late A unit with an early B unit or the matching one hasn't been sold yet.

@Andrew B. posted:

Just got mine.

I ordered B&O late, but the B unit is listed as early on the box. Is there a difference, or all the B&O Bs "early?"\

@strugglinman was your "B" listed as "early" on the box?

Late

@GG1 4877 posted:

There is only one minor difference on the late and early B&O B units.  The early B unit has a gray pinstripe just above the sill line level of rivets and the late version does not.  I would reach out to Sunset and see if you can get it straightened out.  Someone probably has a late A unit with an early B unit or the matching one hasn't been sold yet.

Maybe the box was mislabeled. You're saying the early has a gray stripe above the lowest line of rivets? IE the first row above the trucks? Or, on the B unit, below the mid-body unit number?

The stripe is just above the lowest line of rivets in the early version.  It could be a mislabeled box for sure.  That does happen sometimes. 

@GG1 4877 Def mislabeled box. I was hopeful there wouldn't be the headache of tracking down the correct one. Thanks!

Great news!  It is a subtle difference.

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

What a masterpiece…what road number did people get?  I got #53

So, this is interesting . . . your early #53 has a black roof but the early #55 above shows a gray roof.  They both have the same (correct) early chrome nose ornamentation.

I seem to remember the horns on the restored #51 EA prototype at the B & O RR Museum are painted gray, without the sideguards on these models . . . can't remember the roof color but it's a restoration and every detail might not be as originally built.

FWIW, my late #52 arrived today with a black roof.

BTW, I am absolutely not complaining -- this is just an observation.  These are beautiful models and I'm thrilled with my set. 

@BlueFeather posted:

So, this is interesting . . . your early #53 has a black roof but the early #55 above shows a gray roof.  They both have the same (correct) early chrome nose ornamentation.

I seem to remember the horns on the restored #51 EA prototype at the B & O RR Museum are painted gray, without the sideguards on these models . . . can't remember the roof color but it's a restoration and every detail might not be as originally built.

I think they all have a black roof.  If you take a closer look at the photo of the #55 I think it’s black it’s just hard to tell in the lighting.

The B&O Museum restoration has a grey roof, which, while it looks beautiful, I can’t find any prototype reference for, except for some early B&O artwork showing the EA with a grey roof.  In reality, I think they all had black roofs.

@Catonsville Central Railway posted:

I think they all have a black roof.  If you take a closer look at the photo of the #55 I think it’s black it’s just hard to tell in the lighting.

The B&O Museum restoration has a grey roof, which, while it looks beautiful, I can’t find any prototype reference for, except for some early B&O artwork showing the EA with a grey roof.  In reality, I think they all had black roofs.

Yes lighting Can Be tricky !!!  Here’s a shot of #55 just a few moments later than my earlier picture from a different angle. The roof IS Black.

Video up!

https://youtu.be/xLTxO8WvBRk

My E1 set arrived here in Maryland late yesterday.  Terrific job by Sunset, extremely pleased!

Grabbed a couple of quick photos with cellphone (will have setup camera to get some better pictures).

The large side number dates the set to as early as 4/39 while the lack of the pilot uncoupling lever to as late as 1944.

Extremely pleased as it's perfect to go with my GGD 1938 Super Chief set!

We had a confab of B&O Experts. Some of which saw the early EAs. They had Black Roofs early on. That's why we painted the roofs them black on early and late.

Scott Mann

I just got mine! I love all that detail on the roof & the opening intake vents! I’ll test it out over the weekend. I might actually use smoke on these!

Word Of Caution on removing the Steam Generator Hatch to access controls and battery. My E1 B unit hatch was easily removed and held I place with magnets. However, on the E1 A unit, the hatch wouldn’t budge. When I opened the unit, I discovered it was held in place with two screws. two screws.

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

I just got mine! I love all that detail on the roof & the opening intake vents! I’ll test it out over the weekend. I might actually use smoke on these!

Great pics. I really like the steps on the pilot.

@dkdkrd posted:

Let me see if I understand this...

So, to access the switches you have to remove the body from the chassis, unscrew the hatch, manipulate the switches, screw the hatch back on the body, re-attach the body to the chassis?

Tell me I'm missing something...that it's really much simpler, isn't it?  Please tell me.

Ditto for the Beano EA?  Anyone confirm...or confound?

I haven't had time to unpack either of them.  Maybe just as well.

(It's waaay too early to head for the liquor cabinet.  And a cup of joe isn't gonna make this revelation go away.)

OTOH, a couple of neodymiums and clipped screws, and peace might return to the valley, Tex.

BTW...Is it the first day of April?  Didn't think I overslept by THAT much!

Mine are held on by magnets.... easy peasy.

Stunning, a word I usually don't use to describe my trains - but these are absolutely beautiful. Thank you Scott!

Paul

The E1s look to me like Scott Mann and his crew did Leland Knickerbocker proud!

@dkdkrd posted:

Let me see if I understand this...

So, to access the switches you have to remove the body from the chassis, unscrew the hatch, manipulate the switches, screw the hatch back on the body, re-attach the body to the chassis?

Tell me I'm missing something...that it's really much simpler, isn't it?  Please tell me.

Ditto for the Beano EA?  Anyone confirm...or confound?

I haven't had time to unpack either of them.  Maybe just as well.

(It's waaay too early to head for the liquor cabinet.  And a cup of joe isn't gonna make this revelation go away.)

OTOH, a couple of neodymiums and clipped screws, and peace might return to the valley, Tex.

BTW...Is it the first day of April?  Didn't think I overslept by THAT much!

It's a very easy fix and the hatch fits snugly without magnets. I'll add magnets later. These are absolutely beautiful pulling the 1938 Chief.

these two engines might very well be the best diesel engines ever produced in 3 rail--they check all the boxes

@20centuryhudson  - Agreed.

- Mike

@20centuryhudson posted:

these two engines might very well be the best diesel engines ever produced in 3 rail--they check all the boxes

Ditto.

@20centuryhudson posted:

these two engines might very well be the best diesel engines ever produced in 3 rail--they check all the boxes

A bold statement and a true statement!

I have had many of Scott’s past production items thru at one point or another and he has made some incredible works of art over the years but the E1/EA production tops them all!!! Absolute top notch! It is a true testament to the first class buisness he runs that in the midst of all the worldwide craziness, particularly in shipping and in US/China relations, that he is able to not only deliver, but continue to raise the bar of excellence!

I'm glad to see such happy modelers. I was happy to assist Scott with the Santa Fe E1s, even though I didn't need a set. My Key Model Imports is simply the ultimate E1 in any scale. And, much of what you got is thanks to that production reference.  At any rate, 3rd Rail's E1s turned out fantastic and they are an absolute gift from Scott!

The images below are from Key's as delivered E1s.

My Second Lightweight Super Chief being pulled by a pair of Key's E6. Models by Key, Protocraft and Golden Gate Depot. The L-105 is 3rd Rail, of course.

GGDs 1938 Super Chief!

I don't know how you guys are ranking the best diesel in 3 rail.... but it seems to me that the Krauss Maffei was beyond anything recent... The GP7s? Who knows who was in charge of that!

I remain partial to my Rrrrocket!

Anybody want scott to remake the columbian passenger cars so the colors match the EA? The capitol limited set scott is making looks like such a jumble of car types and in my opinion doesnt do the EA justice

My SF Early will be here Tuesday..I cant wait!! this my 1st 3rd rail model and looking at these pictures i wont be disappointed

@20centuryhudson posted:

Anybody want scott to remake the columbian passenger cars so the colors match the EA? The capitol limited set scott is making looks like such a jumble of car types and in my opinion doesnt do the EA justice

I have the Colombian and I remember how long it took Scott to get reservations on that set. I don’t think it would do well today especially with today’s price points but A 1930’s Capitol Limited announcement might do well.... or try the Royal Blue again now that the correct engines have been made.

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

GGDs 1938 Super Chief!

I don’t mean to go off topic here but what kind of paint did you use on the trucks & the roofs of the Pullman cars? They look fantastic with that flat finish.

You know what would be very nice to go with the early E1’s.... GGD 5-car 1938 El Capitan & San Diegan sets......

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

You know what would be very nice to go with the early E1’s.... GGD 5-car 1938 El Capitan & San Diegan sets......

I like smaller than 8 car sets (I only have an 8x12 layout) and 4-6 cars works very well for me. However, GGD tries to offer prototypical consists and 8 usually gets closer to that than not. The current 6 car 1937 SF Super Chief offering will work nicely for me / be great with the E1.

Well, does anyone have a black they recommend to touch up the roof. I'm the captain of bad luck it seems- checked to see if the roof hatch had the issue mentioned above and it was stuck into place pretty well... The hatch went flying and put a nick into the roof paint. Not bad, but the gray shows through pretty noticeably when close to the model...

Looking to match the color and sheen. Know it won't be perfect, but it'll be better than nothing.

Tru-color brushable engine black should give you a nice satin finish. Do use their own thinner.

@SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Tru-color brushable engine black should give you a nice satin finish. Do use their own thinner.

Thanks!

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

You know what would be very nice to go with the early E1’s.... GGD 5-car 1938 El Capitan & San Diegan sets......

Ok, Ill bite, what's the consist for the San Diegan set?

San Diegan with a PA reissue would be lovely ❤️❤️❤️

@Dj'sOgaugetrains posted:

You know what would be very nice to go with the early E1’s.... GGD 5-car 1938 El Capitan & San Diegan sets......

Yes they would.

But what would be even better would be the availability of E1's nos. 5-9 in A units, only, to go with such sets.  That's how they were purchased from EMC/EMD, and that's how they powered the first San Diegan and El Cap streamliners. 

I had hoped the E1's would be available in those numbers as A units, only, in this historic release.  I'd have bought a singleton...or two...more if offered as such.  Maybe they'll be offered as such in the sure-to-follow 2nd runs!?

But I'm ecstatic just to have my treasured, long-awaited EA and E1 pairs.  I haven't posted an assessment of my own pairs.  I'm still speechless.  After 77 years and 9 months of life in this hobby, I can, however, truthfully say the missing icons of my personal collection have come home.

Thank you, Scott!