VGN EL-2B

We have started production on the VGN and N&W EL-2B. These will be delivered in Nov/Dec of this year. We are preparing a sample to bring to York in October.

I have prepared a video outlining the design of this monstrosity.

It boasts some of the best detail we have ever produced for an Electric. Including interior details never before seen. One change we have made is that this model is constructed like our diesels with an ABS Body, Brass detailing, horizontal motor and all wheels powered using gearboxes and ballbearing supported axles.

We are producing only 50 2R and 50 3R Pairs of VGN versions, of which we are only making 5 each of the N&W version, which is really the VGN with added grab irons and numbering on the sides. This is how they were when they were acquired by the N&W.

Please relax and see our new design video of the VGN EL-2B and be one of the few that has the opportunity to own one. Only a few reservations remain.

https://youtu.be/cNsLEUuZKJw

Scott,

You need to fix the reference to "dual steam generator interior detail" in your video. Those are air compressors. I seriously doubt if The Virginian equipped engines which were designed for coal drags with steam generators.

Ken

This is one of the engines I have always wanted. It's going to be a great model. Unfortunately there are no funds to make a purchase this large at this time.

Scott Smith

Ken, good eye. Figured that out after I published the video. They are air compressors. Edited the comment out.

We've never added interior detail in the body of a diesel before. Perhaps this will be a trend. Very cool to see when the rear man door is opened.

Scott

I can't wait for these to arrive!  This is one of the engines I had in HO brass when I was into small scale, and it is impressive in motion.  In O scale this thing will be as big as the UP big blow!  Impressive indeed!

Rolland

Here's a picture of those HO Models courtesy of BrassTrains.com.

Nothing like scale pantographs.

scott.smith posted:

This is one of the engines I have always wanted. It's going to be a great model. Unfortunately there are no funds to make a purchase this large at this time.

Scott Smith

Start selling! Your in luck that da bay is moving and people are buying! If you sell enough, ya just might make it!

The N&W did get the EL2Bs from the VGN when they merged. The only things there were changed were the units were split up to run independently and the N&W added the road numbers to the sides of the locos. The VGN men didn't want to give their diesels and some of the electrics "souls" by painting the numbers on them. The N&W added the numbers.  

Not all were split up after the merger of VGN and N&W. Just a couple units ran independently. Here is 226 and 222 paired up. Notice the VGN logo is missing, but the "VIRGINIAN" lettering is still intact.

Oh nice! I've never seen that photo. Thank you for the update

Here's the tool for the body. Very heavy. I was told the project of 100 sets need 46,000 brass detail castings.

Gents in the picture are: Factory Owner (Left), Production Manager (Center), Tooling Factory Owner (Right).

Here's a cut-away view of the 3 Rail Unit. Each Unit has full electronics included.

Thanks for continuing to keep us informed. Look forward to seeing the sample at York.

We will be coming to York next week. The factory has shipped a sample of the VGN EL-2B. Here are some pictures of that sample:

There are 10 reservations left in 3R so don't wait too long. Models will be completed in November and Arrive in December. Come and gettem.

http://www.3rdrail.com/reservation.htm

Some More Pics:

Switches and Battery Are Under Hatches on the roof. Held on with Magnets.

Pantographs are Manually Operated:

Loads of accurate detail as we had accurate drawings from NWHS. Thanks!!!

As a Virginian fan I'm super excited to see these at York!

Scott,

Looks very good. I am looking forward to getting mine. A couple of questions:

In the pictures it looks like the trucks are grey. Shouldn't they be black?

Will the 3 rail versions come with 2 rail pilots or do they need to be ordered?

Ken

We wouldn't paint the trucks grey if they weren't grey. 

2R Pilots, I'll be working on that. Since the pilot moves prototypically, we don't need to make a bigger hole for 3 Rail couplers. So 2 Rail couplers can be mounted without replacing the pilots.

Scott,
The trucks appear to me to be a little darker shade of gray than what the sample shows.

Awesome!!!!!!!! Wish I had the dollaz to get one. To those of you that ordered. Enjoy!!!

Everything looks darker when it’s dirty 

We wouldn't paint the trucks grey if they weren't grey. 

 

The grayish trucks in the actual locomotive pictures look to me like black trucks weathered with road grime. Is there an original painting diagram for these engines that specify gray rather than black trucks?

Here's a picture of a black Virginian EL-C with heavy road grime. Most of this engine looks grey.

Ken

This was the image that convinced me that trucks should be painted grey. If you want to weather them with grime or darker colors, that's a simple airbrush job. We are delivering her as the builder did.  Scott

How many of you guys that are griping about the gray trucks bought the model?

We bought one and we are not griping. Actually, we trust Scott to do it right.

Looks great Scott. Look forward to seeing it next week. Thanks for doing such a nice job and for keeping us informed.

Bill Webb

Wow. That model looks amazing! I don’t model the Virginian, but now I’m really wishing you would make one of the PRR demonstrator electrics.   

Matt Makens posted:

How many of you guys that are griping about the gray trucks bought the model?

I not griping. I have the model on reserve and have every intention of purchasing it as its a model I wanted and did not think any O gauge manufacturer would ever make. The detail and lettering look fantastic. Thanks to Scott for having it made.

After I get it if I feel the truck color is not prototypical, repainting the truck sideframes is not a big deal. I've repainted trucks before and have no problem doing it again.

Ken

Just a question, I’d be willing to bet that a lot of people who complain publicly about things aren’t even customers. If you got your reservations in, ask all the questions you want

Wow, looks like a great execution of such an unusual, impressive machine!  I'm sure a lot of us are looking forward to seeing some video... 

Matt Makens posted:

Just a question, I’d be willing to bet that a lot of people who complain publicly about things aren’t even customers. If you got your reservations in, ask all the questions you want

Matt,
I am not a buyer of this particular model. The reason is 1.) I don't have a use for it and 2.) I can better use the money on something [ N&W ] that I could use. That is not to say that I don't like it or that I wouldn't like to have one, it is just not on my list of things that I need.
Also, what you don't know is that I sent Scott information (and he knows this) about the VGN EL-2B that I found in my library. I did this in the hope it would help him get the details correct in order for the folks that are Virginian fans would get the best possible model.

Let me offer up some photos that were in the info that I sent Scott and I will let the forum be the judge:

*Note the name on the bridge [ East Erie Commercial RR ]. That makes me confident that this is a photo of the as delivered EL-2B. Note the color of the trucks.

Note the high gloss finish of the overall loco.

Now for a bit of education. Companies were known to enhance their public relation photos. They would colorize black & white photos and liven up color photos.
Witness the photo below.

Hmmm, looks just like this one. Only the one below is more vibrant, as if someone in the photo department pumped up the color to make the Forty-Ninth Annual Report look good.

It is pretty clear to me that the trucks in the bottom photo are very gray, while the trucks in the top photo are...not very gray.

I'm not complaining, I'm just offering up the information.

It sure seems like the trucks should be black and that the photo with gray trucks looks retouched.  It sounds like it is too late to fix that for production?  I guess people could repaint the trucks, but that is a pretty high priced model to have to be repainting things out of the box.

Hmm... That picture does looked touched up. But why would they touch up the trucks to look more grey if that isn't what they were originally? I see many other pictures of the trucks looking grey, albeit grimmy grey.

Perhaps we should darken the grey / half way between grey and black.

Scott

Scott,

The models look great. December will make for a nice Christmas present!

If I had to guess I would bet that the photo on the annual report cover was retouched to make it “wow” the stockholders. I think the trucks were black and any grey tint is due to road grime. Sort of like painting locomotives grey for builders photos and then back to black for delivery.

Either way I will be happy.

Now if you really want to make a bunch of VGN folks happy how about a set of the EL3 a’s or the MB 2-8-2.

Again many thanks,

George Lasley

Hi Guys,

Here is a photo from the book "When the Steam Roads Electrified"   It shows the trucks a light color. 

Scott; a magnificent effort on Sunset's part.

I have one of the n&w sets reserved. I’m very excited! 

Those two comparisons are not the same photo.

The one odd thing that I noticed searching through most of the photos of the EL-2B was that while the car body was kept reasonably clean, the pilot was left to weather to the point of dullness. Here the pilot looks to be about the same color as the trucks. 

One thing to remember is that there was probably a lot of sand used hauling the heavy trains out of Mullins over the mountain. The photos pretty much show the effects of that below the car body. Even in this photo you can see the effects on the car body between the yellow stripes.

As for why the annual report photo was retouched to make the trucks look so light? It is anybody's guess, the answer to which we may never know. However, it does look totally conspicuous [look it up]. And, I must say, the trucks on the sample model do too.