Athearn made the F59PHI’s, why hasn’t a company come out with the matching cars???
Sean
althought i dont plan on buying either the F59PHI or the cars any time soon i would like to see them modeled. i live right down by san jose and we always see these trains going through. i would be nice to see a model for them =)
Con-Cor had planed to bring the Surfliner cars in late 2003 using its Superliner Shells, but nothing happens until now…
i have my F59PHI’s in the cali and surfliner scheme sitting in boxes waiting for their train to arrive!! right now, Overland brass is the only source for these cars…and you can have them for the low low price of only around 300 bucks a piece[:D]
i was hopeful when con-cor announced surfliner cars in HO, until i found out that they were just throwing the surfliner scheme on their superliner cars. other than being bi-level and the same length, superliners arent anywhere close to looking like surfliner cars.
The California cars are beautiful inside and out. I thoroghly enjoyed my trip on them and would love to see them modeled.
It’s amazing how y’all want all these models in plastic, yet won’t take the riske in buying brass if that’s all thats available. I too would love to see some of these models be made in plastic but it’s unrealistic to have some of these types of models made as so few people would buy them, hence brass is the only option. May cost more, but thats the price we all pay. Because of what I model, brass is my only option as the cars I need wouldn’t be cost effective or desired by the modeling population
Ch
psngrtrn, Did you get the Overland Surfliner Cars?, Also, I’m only 15 so I dont have the money to get the brass models, and believe me, if I had the money I would get a set of the Overland Surfliners in a heart beat! With interiors, interior lighting, headlights and ditch lights on the cab car, I bet those brass models are very nice.
Sean
I think the price for the OMI Surfliner´s is to high. A normal 5 car set will cost 2500 $ !!! I´m not sure but I think that I payed not more than 60$ for my F59PHI.
A friend of mine packed the cars at Seattle at the last day - don´t ask why, he helps the OMI staff - He said that they are perfect. Then the good but not real perfect Athearn F59PHI doesn´t look good in front of the train… [:D][:D][:D]
I’d definately like to have Amtrak California passenger cars. I got the Athearn Amtrak California F59PHI, but it doesn’t look too good pulling freight or my UP passenger cars.
I model So. Cal and I have a set of Metro Link cars to go with my F59PHI and i’m waiting for the Surfliner cars so I can buy the Surfliner F59PHI. Come on Athearn, play the game, if you produce a passenger loco, do the cars to go with it.
I don’t model anything that would require those cars, but if there is an engine, there should be a train to pull behind it.
if all the manufacturers followed that system, then why did Walthers release the Chicago area and SP commuter cars? one would think that there would be as big or bigger of a market for the surfliner and california cars. yes, i do buy brass if thats all that is available, but i cant see myself spending that much on a passenger car. (unless someone, some day, releases a brass model of the American Orient Express[:D])
It’s frustrating to buy an RTR F59PHI and not have the cars in a price range that most of us can afford. For now I’m running my Amtrak Ca. loco with a set of West Coast Express simply because they’re close to the same colors.
I too agree that there is a market for these cars as there is obviously a market for the locos. I have just bought three Cali Cars in Brass and am still searching for a fourth one. Five would be nice but the extra expense isn’t worth it. I have paid much more for the cars than a US resident too as I’ve had to pay tax, customs and extra shipping etc… to the UK.
I still think its worth it. Even if plastic RTR ones do get produced, I’ll be happy that I have a brass set.
Rug
I don’t model today’s passenger trains but for the sake of the modelers that do model modern “varnish” yes, it would be good for these cars to be produced.
Be patient. The manufacturers constantly study the market potential for new models. The production costs today, unfortunately, are very high so they want to make sure that they will be able to “Recoup” on their investment.
The very best thing that you all can do (the more, the better) is to contact the manufactuers and let them know you want to see these cars produced! It might take a few years but it will likely happen if the demand is there.
High Greens!
BTW:
One of you should E-mail this topic to Athearn. Whoever does, post it here so that 50 people don’t do the same thing!
Peace!
One has to wonder if Amtrak is holding things up based on licensing issues…
BC
I have called concour 3 times to find out the release date for the superliners painted as surfliners only to be told that now the cars will not be produced due to lack of interest. I found this hard to believe since so many of the engines have been sold. Hopefully some company will step up and make the correct model.
Check out Absolute Scale Models on the net. They claim to be taking orders for the Amtrak California and surfliner cars individually or in 5 car sets for $300 bucks.