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Post by backshophoss on Dec 23, 2013 2:44:38 GMT -5
We might get lucky and they do the "blister pack" version,that rebuilding started under PC
and Amtrak,basicly they moved the resistor grids to the roof in an attempt to improve
overall performance.
Hopefully Walters will do the cab car conversion (unpowered) down the road.
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Post by acelaphillies on Dec 23, 2013 10:07:46 GMT -5
Haha, that is the one thing about these cars-they look really great but they will empty your wallet in a hurry. And it's not like you can have a train of one car. If an Atlas AEM-7 will be able to pull a standard 6 car metroliner consist from the 90's then I am really in trouble as I have 9 AEM-7's LOL. OUCH!! We may see Amtrak modelers selling off their family cars soon. LOL |
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Post by acelaphillies on Dec 23, 2013 10:09:38 GMT -5
I'm still disappointed that Walthers had chosen not to offer these units in the Penn Central scheme which, ironically, is the railroad that started them in revenue service until Amtrak eventually took over them. Add to that, a number of Metros soldiered on under the Amtrak flag, still wearing Penn Central worms as late as 1983 ( I have the photos that prove it). But of course, Walthers reps are likely hanging on to the cliche' that "Penn Central doesn't sell"....  Just don't tell that to Penn Central or 1970s-era northeastern modelers. It's too bad these won't be available "Undecorated" as they would be a very fun Alclad project. I know that you had mentioned that you may repaint some of these yourself as soon as they came out. Are you still considering this? |
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Post by acelaphillies on Dec 23, 2013 10:10:15 GMT -5
We might get lucky and they do the "blister pack" version,that rebuilding started under PC and Amtrak,basicly they moved the resistor grids to the roof in an attempt to improve overall performance. Hopefully Walters will do the cab car conversion (unpowered) down the road. I'm hoping for a cab car as well. |
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Post by mgwsy on Dec 23, 2013 15:42:13 GMT -5
We might get lucky and they do the "blister pack" version,that rebuilding started under PC and Amtrak,basicly they moved the resistor grids to the roof in an attempt to improve overall performance. Hopefully Walters will do the cab car conversion (unpowered) down the road. I'm hoping for a cab car as well. Cab cars would def be nice and thats another car sorely needed. Considering my future layout will model part of the Boston Line and the Springfield MA station I can use around 6 cab cars alone for the SPG-NHV shuttle trains and Vermonter. |
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Post by pilpro on Dec 23, 2013 17:01:26 GMT -5
I'm still disappointed that Walthers had chosen not to offer these units in the Penn Central scheme which, ironically, is the railroad that started them in revenue service until Amtrak eventually took over them. Add to that, a number of Metros soldiered on under the Amtrak flag, still wearing Penn Central worms as late as 1983 ( I have the photos that prove it). But of course, Walthers reps are likely hanging on to the cliche' that "Penn Central doesn't sell".... Just don't tell that to Penn Central or 1970s-era northeastern modelers. It's too bad these won't be available "Undecorated" as they would be a very fun Alclad project. I agree. The Penn scheme on these was great. PZ |
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 23, 2013 17:51:36 GMT -5
This is just a suggestion,start by making 1 train the "star"  and get the cars needed to model it as the $$$ permits. As you get the cars needed,take the "replaced" cars and move them to the "role" player("background") trains, Basically,if the Vermonter (train #'s 54-57) is the "star", use the cars on hand to create the consist,then over time, upgrade that consist with the new models,then the older cars become part of the "background" shuttle fleet. The Lake Shore Ltd(Train #'s 448-449) is a secondary "star" consist,but you can still use Heritage Equipment on it (Lounge,Sleeper,a coach or 2,Baggage) and have the option of the "surprise" Dome or Private car. If it means using a Bachmann ph I Amfleet I as a place holder for a coach on the Vermonter consist for a couple of months, THATS OK!  Rome was not built in 1 day,it takes time to create a decent car fleet. Remember, it's your Model Railroad,you don't need to keep up with the "Jones" |
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Post by mgwsy on Dec 23, 2013 19:34:00 GMT -5
Oh I am keeping the older walthers cars for my long distance trains but I only have a few Amfleet 1's and mostly amfleet 2's so I know I need Amfleet 1's. Thing is with the older Walthers amfleets is an AEM-7 had a tough time pulling 6 around so I plan to get 6 of them as a test and if they work good then slowly get more as time and money permits. IF they will be available long term as knowing Walthers they will be discontinued within a month or two and not in regular stock.
As for the Lake Shore Ltd. thats were the older cars will stay as I dont have any of the plated cars in my fleet so the new plated cars wont mix right with the older cars. Also the Shuttle trains are simple as most are 1 Amfleet 1 and a Cab car which I am sure will be made in the future.
I keep mentioning AEM-7's as I model NEC trains too and one of the long distance trains I am working on is a Silver Star from the 90's which will be a mix of Heritage and Amfleets. Same for my Boston Line trains which will have brand new P40's and F40's along side them.
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Post by acelaphillies on Dec 23, 2013 22:42:11 GMT -5
This is just a suggestion,start by making 1 train the "star" and get the cars needed to model it as the $$$ permits. As you get the cars needed,take the "replaced" cars and move them to the "role" player("background") trains, Basically,if the Vermonter (train #'s 54-57) is the "star", use the cars on hand to create the consist,then over time, upgrade that consist with the new models,then the older cars become part of the "background" shuttle fleet. The Lake Shore Ltd(Train #'s 448-449) is a secondary "star" consist,but you can still use Heritage Equipment on it (Lounge,Sleeper,a coach or 2,Baggage) and have the option of the "surprise" Dome or Private car. If it means using a Bachmann ph I Amfleet I as a place holder for a coach on the Vermonter consist for a couple of months, THATS OK! Rome was not built in 1 day,it takes time to create a decent car fleet. Remember, it's your Model Railroad,you don't need to keep up with the "Jones" Great ideas BSH and also a great reminder to us all that we don't always need the latest and greatest stuff. We should learn to enjoy what we have a lot of times. For me, these new cars look great. However, at this point in my life I just don't have the kind of $$$ needed to get train-worth of these. Hopefully I will be able to get them on discount eventually. I also want to light a fire under myself to get some of those projects on the workbench done before I am investing in any new cars. You guys also point out a downfall with these new cars. In the past you could mix and match Amfleets between manufacturers, and runs reasonably well. Now, a plated Amfleet next to a non-plated Amfleet will look a little wierd. |
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Post by mgwsy on Dec 23, 2013 23:19:22 GMT -5
This is just a suggestion,start by making 1 train the "star" and get the cars needed to model it as the $$$ permits. As you get the cars needed,take the "replaced" cars and move them to the "role" player("background") trains, Basically,if the Vermonter (train #'s 54-57) is the "star", use the cars on hand to create the consist,then over time, upgrade that consist with the new models,then the older cars become part of the "background" shuttle fleet. The Lake Shore Ltd(Train #'s 448-449) is a secondary "star" consist,but you can still use Heritage Equipment on it (Lounge,Sleeper,a coach or 2,Baggage) and have the option of the "surprise" Dome or Private car. If it means using a Bachmann ph I Amfleet I as a place holder for a coach on the Vermonter consist for a couple of months, THATS OK! Rome was not built in 1 day,it takes time to create a decent car fleet. Remember, it's your Model Railroad,you don't need to keep up with the "Jones" Great ideas BSH and also a great reminder to us all that we don't always need the latest and greatest stuff. We should learn to enjoy what we have a lot of times. For me, these new cars look great. However, at this point in my life I just don't have the kind of $$$ needed to get train-worth of these. Hopefully I will be able to get them on discount eventually. I also want to light a fire under myself to get some of those projects on the workbench done before I am investing in any new cars. You guys also point out a downfall with these new cars. In the past you could mix and match Amfleets between manufacturers, and runs reasonably well. Now, a plated Amfleet next to a non-plated Amfleet will look a little wierd. Thats the problem with new and old and I have an 8 car train of Bachmann Amfleets to run with the HHP I have and they also stay together as they dont mix well with the Walthers cars. As for the new Amfleets I am interested in the rolling qualities and undeframe details. The wheels still look off but I wont comment to much until the final cars hit the shelves. I will slowly get what I can as even quality freight cars are reaching the $50+ mark lately. I still run Athearn BB cars next to the higher Quality cars though as I am not to worried. I would love to see Walthers redo the Commuter Comet cars to have more detail and maybe some RR specific details too but I doubt they will do that. |
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 23, 2013 23:25:45 GMT -5
You might want to check the slots where the axle rolls and try to smooth out any burrs found,put some LaBelle grease in the slots after clean up. The Walters Amfleet cars I have needed a little bit of help at first,but now roll fairly well. Worse Case: You run 2 meatballs(AEM-7) on a train 6+ cars  or 2 hippos(HHP-8) Break out the coupler height gauge,start checking the coupler heights,GET RID of the plastic spring McHenrys!!!  |
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Post by mgwsy on Dec 23, 2013 23:50:34 GMT -5
LOL I only use Kadee Scale couplers on my cars and get rid of the plastic ones. I also found out that the best oil to use is made for RC car shocks as its very slick and helps out a lot as its 100% silicone. I am working on something to modify the trucks and axles on some 36" intermountain wheels to get better performance too but other projects have taken over for now. I even have mini bearings and made a jig to drill out the walthers trucks but its still a work in progress
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Post by backshophoss on Dec 24, 2013 0:18:21 GMT -5
In the past,both Walters and Bachmann put "chrome" wheelsets with their Amfleet cars,to put a damper on the look,paint the wheel centers rust or rail brown. This is a spare Bachmann metroliner truck with the painted wheelsets ;D Attachments:
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Post by mgwsy on Dec 24, 2013 13:40:22 GMT -5
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Post by antoniofp45 on Dec 24, 2013 18:18:41 GMT -5
I considered it but realize that to strip and metalize the Amtrak versions would involve a lot of work; especially considering the amount of "fragile" detail parts that must be removed.
The best scenario in this case would be to acquire the Pennsy units and simply replace the Keystone heralds with Penn Central worms. Unfortunately the price tag of the "Deluxe" 4-car Pennsy set at almost $1200 puts it beyond the financial reach of many modelers that would otherwise enjoy these models.
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