Third Rail/Golden Gate Depot under the radar?

I have read very little about the GGD Alco PA units here on the OGR Forum. I would have expected much more chatter about
roadnames, design and such. Are any of you ordering? Does anyone know if the side panels on the Warbonnet Alco PA/PB units
were stainless like the new Atlas F7 units about to be delivered?

I have also read nothing here about the NYC R motors GGD will produce. All of the locomotives I have purchased from GGD
are gorgeous and, given the angst I am experiencing over how much and whom to buy from, I think Scott Mann is rising as
far as I am concerned.

Scrappy

All these questions are addressed in the 3RS forum.  This is where Scott Mainly posts!

https://ogrforum.com/t...il-update-from-china

https://ogrforum.com/t...t-announced-sd40-2-s

https://ogrforum.com/topic/sunset-pas

If 3rd rail had the electronics and sound that Lionel has then they would be the gold standard.  I'm a little gun shy on the locomotives because of the fragility, but there is no doubt they are beautiful.  I have a couple and have spent plenty of time online drooling over others.     

Scrapiron Scher posted:

I just took delivery of my ten car three rail El Capitan set from GGD last night and I am reflecting on how good their products are and why I should spend more time considering purchases of their locos and cars. I have the brass US Army hospital, surgery, and communications cars on order and, coupled with my troop sleepers, those cars will make an incredibly exciting train. 

I just discovered this morning that GGD will produce two Southern Pacific Hospital cars, also in brass. One is yellow and the other silver with a red stripe. I will order the yellow.

I have read very little about the GGD Alco PA units here on the OGR Forum.

Apparently you have NOT been reading the right forums. You should visit the 3-Rail SCALE and 2-Rail SCALE forums more often.

I would have expected much more chatter about roadnames, design and such.

There already has been.

Are any of you ordering?

Yes indeed. I just received my SD7 EMD Demonstrator #990, earlier this week.

Does anyone know if the side panels on the Warbonnet Alco PA/PB units were stainless like the new Atlas F7 units about to be delivered?

Yes, someone knows!

I have also read nothing here about the NYC R motors GGD will produce. All of the locomotives I have purchased from GGD are gorgeous and, given the angst I am experiencing over how much and whom to buy from, I think Scott Mann is rising as far as I am concerned.

Scrappy

I'm awaiting the GGD Harriman cars and literally can't wait for their arrival. Those cars are long overdue in affordable O scale and will set the standard by which other passenger cars are judged. Of course, that can be said about GGD in general.

 I'm searching for some of the earlier GGD/3rd Rail UP brass passenger cars and they're darn hard to find. Those who have them don't want to sell because it's a great product and uniquely accurate.

Great stuff!

I just got my first 3rd Rail Diesels a set of C&NW SD9's and man they are beautiful I will set up some track in my basement this weekend to run em and I cant wait. I have a set of SP Daylight PAs on order as I have buidlers plates off one that I want to display with them and of course I will run the heck out out of them. I also have 2 3rd Rail steamers both of which are incrdeibly well done an beutiful models a mC&NW H1 and an SP AC9. I love them both. As for GGD cars, I have the El Cap 8 car set and another 5 cars on order for with an extra lounge car as this is such a cool car it woudlnt hurt to have 2. So far I love all of my Sunset models and look forward to getting my Alcos and the Empire Builder.

It may be the most spectacular and awesome piece ever constructed in the history of model railroading, but if doesn't have DCS, I'm not buying it--Legacy may entice me to add that system into my existing DCS.

I have seen several examples of their work.  AWESOME.

John C. posted:

It may be the most spectacular and awesome piece ever constructed in the history of model railroading, but if doesn't have DCS, I'm not buying it--Legacy may entice me to add that system into my existing DCS.

I have seen several examples of their work.  AWESOME.

With such a narrow minded approach to model railroading, you are surely missing out on a LOT of VERY fine models from both Sunset/3rd Rail/Golden Gate Depot and Lionel. I suggest you IMMEDIATELY add Legacy/TMCC to your layout, like many, many, many other folks have. We are able to operate all three control systems, i.e. DCS, Legacy, & TMCC, on our layout at the same time!

banelson posted:

If 3rd rail had the electronics and sound that Lionel has then they would be the gold standard.  I'm a little gun shy on the locomotives because of the fragility, but there is no doubt they are beautiful.  I have a couple and have spent plenty of time online drooling over others.     

It has been reported that 3rd Rails GS4 has the correct horn and the Lionel Legacy engine does not. New 3rd Rail engines now have quality sounds sets but without the variety of Legacy.

As for NYC R motors I think Scott said due to low pre orders he is trying to figure out a price given a limited run.

Pete

banelson posted:

If 3rd rail had the electronics and sound that Lionel has then they would be the gold standard. 

In my opinion, they ARE the "gold standard", since all the Sunset/3rd Rail products now come with ERR cruise commander AND Lionel RS5 sound chips. Plus, they do their homework to insure that their locomotives have the correct prototype whistle, which sometimes Lionel doesn't do.

I'm a little gun shy on the locomotives because of the fragility,

I currently own 20 Sunset/3rd Rail steam locomotive models, including articulateds, and have not found any "fragility" issues. But then, I don't operate the trains on our layout at 150 MPH nor crash them together. Please remember that the Sunset/3rd Rail steam models are of brass construction, and should one bend or break something, it is easily repaired, unlike diecast which generally can NOT be soldered back together.

but there is no doubt they are beautiful.  I have a couple and have spent plenty of time online drooling over others.     

I will take the fine/extra details over stuff like whistle steam or depleting coal load any day. ERR gives you the fine slow speed control and the single horizontal motor is far surperior to the dual motor china drives. After getting the GGD Super Chief, El Capitan, and Daylight sets.... I sold my Lionel and MTH cars.

I have 2 Santa Fe Big Domes on order, as well as an ABA set of PAs and 2 As Nd 2Bs from the E8 reservation list.

And YES the Sunset G4s have the correct whistle, mine sounds awesome.

Are the 2nd run El Capitan cars shipping already? 

Hot Water posted:

banelson posted:

If 3rd rail had the electronics and sound that Lionel has then they would be the gold standard. 

In my opinion, they ARE the "gold standard", since all the Sunset/3rd Rail products now come with ERR cruise commander AND Lionel RS5 sound chips. Plus, they do their homework to insure that their locomotives have the correct prototype whistle, which sometimes Lionel doesn't do.

I'm a little gun shy on the locomotives because of the fragility,

I currently own 20 Sunset/3rd Rail steam locomotive models, including articulateds, and have not found any "fragility" issues. But then, I don't operate the trains on our layout at 150 MPH nor crash them together. Please remember that the Sunset/3rd Rail steam models are of brass construction, and should one bend or break something, it is easily repaired, unlike diecast which generally can NOT be soldered back together.

but there is no doubt they are beautiful.  I have a couple and have spent plenty of time online drooling over others.     

 

Please Hot Water, a little clarification.

Are you saying 3rdrail are getting different sound sets?  Thought RS5 in 3rdrail engines is what Lionel will let the license vendors use?

But back to 3rdrail,  Love their steamers and would purchase more if they made more NYC/B&A.  Right now I have:

Mohawk, Hudson, and a Niagara.

Laidoffsick posted:

..... ERR gives you the fine slow speed control and the single horizontal motor is far surperior to the dual motor china drives. ......

This is a real-life fact? Not just theory?

Because of the single horizontal motor, today's production 3rd Rail diesels have superior slow speed control ..... compared to Atlas and Lionel?

Thanks, Matt

Matt01 posted:

Laidoffsick posted:

..... ERR gives you the fine slow speed control and the single horizontal motor is far surperior to the dual motor china drives. ......

This is a real-life fact? Not just theory?

Absolutely, positively YES!

Because of the single horizontal motor, today's production 3rd Rail diesels have superior slow speed control ..... compared to Atlas and Lionel?

Again, absolutely positively YES! No matter WHAT the folks at Atlas state about their twin "China Drive" vertical motors.

Thanks, Matt

I have a number of 3rd Rail PRR electrics and I am delighted. Conventional and 2 rail dc included. 

Lou N

Matt Makens posted:

Are the 2nd run El Capitan cars shipping already? 

Not yet. Scott's last update makes me think we will have them Jan or Feb at the latest.

Unique, Accurate, First Class...

I have many GGD passenger sets and love all of them. They are impossible to find on the secondary market because those that own them don't want to sell them. I can't wait till my 15 car Sunset Limited is made. It will look great with the SP PA's I have on order. Sunset Models/Golden Gate Depot is the best kept secret in O scale railroading. The work that their relatively small company does puts ALL of the big manufactures (with the exception of Atlas) to shame. 

Here are just a few of their incredible products...

https://youtu.be/SwiZZepuiwk

https://youtu.be/nNe087SQ_58

https://youtu.be/xbVol59LRrk

https://youtu.be/Zt7U3thVeds

https://youtu.be/9dJKDfrqlng

https://youtu.be/cx2RhgCr1ag

I just had some emails with him. He said January til they are here. I still owe some money so id like to have them paid up by the time they get here.

Plus ive got at lest a year til the Empire Builder gets done.

All I Know is that GGD's customer service is excellent. I have several of there products including the GN Mike 08. The highlight of my layout. Kudos!!!

Matt Makens posted:

Plus ive got at lest a year til the Empire Builder gets done.

Having seen that the production schedule indicates it will be coming almost 9 months after the Sunset Limited, I am now thinking about ordering one. If Scott continues to keep such a detailed production schedule, he will no doubt see more of my money as I will find a way to fit in additional orders.

I don't know of any company whose customer service includes personal contact with the owner. Alwasy get the personal touch and its always above and beyond. I will continue to be a Sunset Models/3rd Rail Trains/Golden Gate Depot customer. They're quickly becoming my builder of choice

Great responses. Thank you all.

Jack, thanks for the heads up. I need to spend more time on the other boards.

Eliot

Hmm Jan. Isn't that the time China shuts down for a month long holiday? In any event, I too want to P.I.F. my Amtrak El Cap b4 delivery! I also have to worry about the Lionel AFT set as well! Oy Vey!

Scrapiron Scher posted:

Does anyone know if the side panels on the Warbonnet Alco PA/PB units were stainless like the new Atlas F7 units about to be delivered?

Scrappy

Yes, indeed, they were, and the roofs, too.