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Post by backshophoss on Oct 4, 2017 15:50:03 GMT -5
Believe Walters,did a generation of Amfleets,improving on the American GK designs,before diving in and retooling the entire model.
The E-60 had been allowed to die,due inpart to the Bachmann model.
Both the Bachmann and Walters/GK models did coexisit,however Bachmann's Amfleet was aimed at the "train set" crowd,as were their
Metroliner models
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Post by antoniofp45 on Oct 10, 2017 19:43:10 GMT -5
Hi, Not yet. I have a friend that will let me experiment on his Bachmann Amcans. Just have to find the time to do it. However, I'm 100% convinced that the results will look nearly identical to that of the Bachmann Metro shells in the above photos that I posted. They have the same, inaccurate fluting pattern. I'm assuming that the Bachmann Amcans were likely tooled from the same molds & dies used for the Metroliners. Believe the ability to make better molds/tooling now than what was done back in the 1970's,Bachmanns e Antonio,Have you tried to apply a plated finish on a bachmann Amfleet bodyshell? While the Metroliner bodyshells are not quite accurate,the plated finish will allow the Bachmann shells to "pass" in a set of Walters Metroliners. Believe that would also work for Bachmanns to "pass" in a consist of Walters current production plated Amfleets |
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Post by sd80mac on Oct 14, 2017 19:02:44 GMT -5
Believe the ability to make better molds/tooling now than what was done back in the 1970's,Bachmanns Amfleet I's has held up as a model while not quite accurate,it did fill the "need" of a modern passenger car for the Amtrak models that were available at that time Antonio,Have you tried to apply a plated finish on a bachmann Amfleet bodyshell? While the Metroliner bodyshells are not quite accurate,the plated finish will allow the Bachmann shells to "pass" in a set of Walters Metroliners. Believe that would also work for Bachmanns to "pass" in a consist of Walters current production plated Amfleets
I have about 15 or so Bachman Amfleets, and only 3 of the new Walthers cars (an Amcoach and Amcafe in phase 2, and an Amfleet II lounge in phase 3). I regrettably missed out on the new Walthers Amfleets in phase 3, and by the looks of it, Walthers retired the model, so we may not see them again for some time, if not ever. So, I am stuck with the Bachmann cars, not that it's a bad thing because I had planned on using them long before Walthers offered the new cars anyway. In fact, I can use the two cars that I do have as a pattern to upgrade all of the old Bachmann models; the goal ultimately being to have two complete San Diegans trains, one in phase 2, and another in phase 3.
I believe I have enough decals, but that pain is what's going to make all the difference. So Antonio, I'll be paying close attention to what you come up with!
Donnell |
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 14, 2017 20:00:56 GMT -5
There are 2 things to do from the get go to improve the "look" of the Bachmann Amfleet I's, 1, paint the wheel centers rail brown or rust,
the prototypes never had shiny wheel centers(not even at the factory at Red Lion PA).
2. GET rid of the truck mounted couplers! Going to body mounts might be a bear,but if you plan to model the San Diegan or Keystone
push-pull consists,pick 1 end of the car to use a KD-118 (shelf)coupler to keep the couplers overriding each other in push mode!
sd80mac,Do you a Metroliner bodyshell to do the Cab Car?
The Metroliner shell fits on the Amfleet underframe.
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Post by sd80mac on Oct 14, 2017 23:42:31 GMT -5
There are 2 things to do from the get go to improve the "look" of the Bachmann Amfleet I's, 1, paint the wheel centers rail brown or rust, the prototypes never had shiny wheel centers(not even at the factory at Red Lion PA). 2. GET rid of the truck mounted couplers! Going to body mounts might be a bear,but if you plan to model the San Diegan or Keystone push-pull consists,pick 1 end of the car to use a KD-118 (shelf)coupler to keep the couplers overriding each other in push mode! sd80mac,Do you a Metroliner bodyshell to do the Cab Car? The Metroliner shell fits on the Amfleet underframe.
Hi backshophoss,
I do have several Bachmann Metroliners that are slated to become San Diegans cab cars. I may try and pick up a Walthers Metroliner to use as a pattern to modify the Bachmann cars. As for the trucks, these will either be substituted with the Walthers Amfleet trucks, or I'll use the Walthers truck as a pattern to scratch-build copies as they are $15 a pair from Walthers. I most likely will go this route so I can utilize Intermountain's 36" Semi-scale Code 88 wheels.
The windows will be CNC cut on a mill/router or laser; I haven't figured out which yet, and I hope to have the window gaskets photo-etched. The couplers will be body mounted and adjusted for close-coupling.
Donnell |
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Post by backshophoss on Oct 15, 2017 1:24:25 GMT -5
You might be out of luck at Walters,They had a truck sale back in Aug,that had the Amfleet truck at a decent price,may be
discontinued by now(DSO'd)along with the trucks for the Superliners,Viewliners, and Heritage Fleet cars(the current run).
Have had success with LaBelle grease on the bachmann trucks and the early Walters/American GK trucks.
There's a "fix" for the early walters trucks in the general info board,using metal tubing,could use metal "C" channel
instead of tube stock.
Be careful when stripping the factory paint,91% alcohol might loosen the Cab from the bodyshell at the joint on a Metroliner shell.
The sideframes are held on by 2 pins,take the metroliner side frames off and move them to the Amfleet trucks if you swap out the underframes.
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Post by backshophoss on Feb 22, 2018 19:47:48 GMT -5
Bachmann has brought back their Amfleet I car,now with a Cafe car and Business Class car all in ph IV scheme and now tagged as
official Amtrak licensed products. They have lighted interiors.
Might need to see how this model stacks up with Walters and the original Bachmann model run.
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aem7
Member
Posts: 32
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, B&O, Chessie
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Post by aem7 on Mar 1, 2018 16:38:15 GMT -5
Comparison Photo of new and old Walthers Amfleet I cars and the newer (2010) and older (1990s) Bachmann Amfleet I cars New Walthers release is on top followed by the older Walthers car with inaccurate shape and vents it was used for the Amtrak 40th Anniversary model series which this sample is part of, 3rd from top is Bachmann Amfleet in car in Phase IVb from around 2010 the colors and stripes are somewhat off, and finally on the bottom was the older Bachmann car which I acquired in 1995.  |
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aem7
Member
Posts: 32
Primary Railroads: Amtrak, B&O, Chessie
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Post by aem7 on Mar 1, 2018 16:49:40 GMT -5
End view of the cars from left to right: newer Walthers, older Walthers, newer Bachmann (2010) and older Bachmann (1990s). The 2010 Bachmann release did have lights and markers that lite up on both ends so they are not directional  |
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Post by backshophoss on Mar 1, 2018 20:52:22 GMT -5
That car reminds me of that"Acela Regional" Bachmann Amfleet I I have,interior and markers were lit up,need to put in a resistor to dim them down,
and become less of an "AMP Hog" to the DCC track power.
However that car came with the wheelsets blackened out,not shiny.
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