Excellent point Timberley!! The Phase I's spent only a few years with the "Minuteman" heralds and starting around 1958 they got the first McGinnis treatment (which they wore for many, many years), matching the Phase II units.
Another spotting note, only a handful (the last order) of B&M's Phase II RDC's came from the factory with end mounted illuminated number-boards, and NONE of them were RDC-1's (Rapido modeled all of their B&M Phase II RDC's with them regardless of type or road number). According to photographic records, The last four RDC-3's (6303-6306) had them as did the last RDC-2 built for them (6214). These units were delivered in 1958.
And ALL of B&M's Phase II RDC's regardless of type had side illuminated number-boards (just like the Phase I's) on both ends of the letter-boards on both sides. No other railroad bought Phase-II RDC's new from Budd with them.
Also, on the B&M's Phase-II RDC-3's, the baggage door was replaced with a non-opening flush-mounted plug.
They're small detail points, and I understand it would've made a difference in molds and such, so I accept them as they are, as they are spectacular models (and I actually like the looks of the number-boards on the end sheets)!! As far as the side number-boards, they can easily be replicated (albeit not illuminated) by using the sheet of replacement number decals (in the perfect shape as they are to fit in the side number-board cut-outs) Rapido provides with each model. I had contacted them about the number-board discrepancy prior to the second run being announced,
but was advised it was too small a discrepancy for them to address.
I was slightly disappointed to see with this second run, the Phase-I's still are decorated by the "Minuteman" heralds. Not that I don't like them, but, like Timberly, I was really hoping for some McGinnis-decorated Phase-I's to go with my Phase-II. But, again, I understand Rapido's position and am just thankful these incredible RDC's were released at all.... now if they could only get the HEP-equipped Metro-North FL9's in circulation.....