Who can tell me about Freedom Train Engine--2012 Sunset?

Anyone?  Were the 2012 engines conventional or QSI DCC?  Good runners or just OK?

My three rail GS4 runs fine. Same except for wheels and electronics. Can’t help with the electronics question. They had DCC, no idea whose.

Pete

Andy,

One thing you can always try when getting NO info. is search the board. Click on the 3 bars at the top left of forum pages and you will get a list of stuff, among which will be a "search" option.

I searched : Sunset Freedom Train and got quite a few results:

https://ogrforum.com/...Sunset+Freedom+Train

Good Luck!

ECI

I have the black GS-4 from that run. Mine did not have DCC installed. If any did have it from the factory, it probably would have been QSI. To the best of my knowledge, all Sunset 3rd rail two-rail locos, steam and diesel, that had DCC, had QSI until a year or so ago. Most of the steam locos did not have DCC and most of the diesels do have it. The newer runs, like the most recent run of GP7s and 9s, have Loksound.

Jerry

Thanks Pete  @Norton  I just want a good runner along with a good looking engine.

Thanks @EastCoastIron  I did do a search and found many many threads on the AFT from Lionel, MTH, etc, but nothing about the 2012 Sunset Brass model.  I will search again though, I may have missed something.

Thanks Jerry @Jerry Davis  I have had QSI diesels from Sunset and a new loksound equipped diesel, but no steamers.  How does yours run?  Is it smooth? 

My loco runs okay but it will not pull as much as other Sunset locos do. It gets out of the yard with a 12 car train but starts slipping as soon as half of the train is on a 2.5% grade. A Sunset MT-5 (4-8-2) will handle the same train with no problem (smaller drivers). I have not yet tried adding more weight to the GS-4.

I searched on Sunset and 3rd Rail GS-4 to see if anything was said about that 2012 run.  The few posts I found were all about the 3-rail version. For what it is worth I run 3-rail and my Sunset/3rd Rail engines run well mechanically.  I would think the innards would be the same.

NOTE.  The GS-4 pulled the privately sponsored "American Freedom Train", or AFT.  There was a government sponsored "Freedom Train" that ran from 1947-49.  It was pulled by a PA-1.

Here is the link to the catalog announcement in 2011 (courtesy of the Internet Wayback Machine).  Scroll halfway down the page for the GS-4 listing.

Bob

Thanks guys...now I need to decide if I can't live without one.  I love how it looks, but already have more shelf queens than I need.  However, I think only a few were made in brass from Sunset/3rd Rail...25 maybe...so sometimes you have to buy when you see it.

What about getting one decorated for Daylight and having it painted?

ECI

@EastCoastIron posted:

What about getting one decorated for Daylight and having it painted?

ECI

I have thought about that, but I am not a good painter.  I'd have to find someone to paint it for me.  I know my limitations.  If I went that route, who made a good GS-4 in 2 rail?

Note the Sunset/3rd rail GS4 is a one time production made from brass. Sunset models/3rd rail has never rerun their brass locomotives and cars. With the current price of brass high up in the stratosphere, chances are good Sunsets policy of one run brass locomotives  will continue.

Wile the o.p. thinks the 3rd Rail with Tmcc and Railsounds maybe high now. Wait as time marches on. While Lionel and MTH made over a thousand of these in scale die cast in several runs, for the rare collector the 3rd Rail locos with all the fine details are getting  harder to come by.

And if you think the GS4 is high. Try getting the ultra rare T&P version in the AFT scheme! A shocking Less than 15 models were factory painted in the AFT scheme!

Good 👍 Luck on your choice

Good info @prrhorseshoecurve.  Thanks!  I sent Scott an email with a few quick questions.

@roll_the_dice posted:

I have thought about that, but I am not a good painter.  I'd have to find someone to paint it for me.  I know my limitations.  If I went that route, who made a good GS-4 in 2 rail?

If my handle was WestCoastIron, I might be able to help. I'm guessing PSC and Key imports probably did, but that's your baby. My immediate suggestion would be go to the March Meet in Chicago and O Scale West and talk to people. Other than that, comb the Net.

I have seen plenty of GS-4s in Daylight, but have NEVER (that I can recall) seen one in the scheme you want, which is why I suggested painting.

Being handy with the computer is a plus!

Good Luck!

ECI

A solid performer in 2 rail brass for the GS4 would be the KTM ( Japan ) sold under the USHobbies importer…..I believe Max Gray also did a GS4 import, but not sure the overseas builder. Sometimes KTM GS4’s show up, especially unpainted models,….pretty much anything KTM is built like a tank….of course, you’d have to get it painted, or paint it yourself….

Pat

Another suggestion, …..MTH did a very nice AFT GS4 in die cast. I believe all were 3 rail, ….( don’t quote me on that ) ……however, a quick look at our inventory at mthpartsandsales.com reveals we have all the goodies in stock to perform a 2 rail swap. The scale wheel GS4 drive block is readily available, …..This would be a direct bolt in swap. MTH 2 rail stuff are solid performers,…..

Pat

What happen to the one that was on eBay when you started this thread? Wasn’t it exactly what you were looking for?

Pete

@Norton posted:

What happen to the one that was on eBay when you started this thread? Wasn’t it exactly what you were looking for?

Pete

It sold.  I had a deal worked out with the guy and I told him I wanted to think about it (3-4 days ago).  I was going to send him a message this morning to buy it and it was SOLD.

I was dumb...Sometimes the time to buy it is when you see it.  I should have emailed Scott from the beginning, but I didn't think about it and I don't like bothering him when it's not about a current model.

Andy:

3rdrail/Sunset was the only O Scale 2 rail GS 4 factory painted in Freedom Train colors. I believe MTH sold one in diecast but not 2 rail O. MTH also has made matching cars in 3 rail. There are no matching cars in 2 rail as yet but would be a good project for Scott since he did the engine.

I have both the 3rdrail Daylight and Freedom Train engines and they are excellent models. One of my engines did have a bad driver that had to be replaced. Otherwise they are excellent runners. The factory engines did not have DCC installed.

The KTM/US Hobbies engine would be my recommendation if you can not find the 3rdrail Freedom Train. I have one painted in the Freedom Train scheme and it is impressive and a good runner.

Dan

Thanks @dan mason!  Since I choked on this one, I will be on the lookout for a KTM/US Hobbies GS-4.  The hunt is part of the fun.  I guess I know what I will be looking for in Chicago in March!  I do prefer brass over diecast.

According to Scott, only 5 were made in 2 Rail...so it is indeed rare!

I might have to get Pat @harmonyards to paint it for me...once I see my Southern Crescent he is painting now.

The price on that eBay one was really cheap, given the rarity.  Getting a USH and having it painted will likely cost more than that Sunset sold for.

@Bob posted:

The price on that eBay one was really cheap, given the rarity.  Getting a USH and having it painted will likely cost more than that Sunset sold for.

I realize that now.  I didn't know the rarity until this morning after it sold.  Live and learn.