Good news regarding Amtrak models!

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi guys, got this from the Yahoo group I’m a member of. It’s unofficial but being that it’s from Davis, he’s reliable and this would not be vaporware. Here’s the info below:

…15 NEW AMTRAK RELEASES!

Hey guys,

Amtrak and Walthers have teamed up in honor of Amtrak’s 40th Anniversary to bring us devoted Amtrak modelers the ultimate release! After dozens of e-mails us modelers have sent Walthers, they and Amtrak have seen the demand and have come through to provide us with all of the equipment you could possibly need for a modern Long Distance train. And they didn’t stop there, read on below to see every piece equipment they will be releasing: (information manually rewritten from the promotional pamphlet)

I wouldn’t try searching these product numbers yet on the site, Walthers has not yet added them, you will just get redirected to a search screen:

2

Thats good news.

One question about the F40PH. I was told that the Walthers Trainline F40PH represents a mid-production F40, where as the KATO F40 represents the late production of that model. Walthers numbered their earlier release in the #300,303 and forget the 3rd number - I have it at home. KATO correspondingly numbered their’s in a higher series #371, 375 and 400. Wouldn’t Walthers using a number higher than 400 be too high for their version of F40?

3

This is awesome!!!

Pre-order these models and read all about them at http://store.amtrak.com/ProductList.aspx?did=5552!!!

4

My layout is set in 2008 but AMTK 822 is really too nice to look at. I’m slowly putting together an Phase IVb Capitol Limited and 822 would sure look nice on the headend.

5

Good news for sure, but I cannot confirm nor deny if these cars will have the newer “plated” finish.

The IVb baggage car (Part #932-15170) is a must and would go nicely with the new plated Superliners…if the baggage itself is plated.

And this is not one we can plate ourselves since no decals are available for IVb passenger cars.

6

The Amfleet 1 Cafe will include a Northeast Regional Decal!!!

7

As I recall, the finish on the real ones isn’t the same. The Superliners are stainless steel but the older baggage cars are painted to look like stainless. I could be wrong. I was planning on having a closer look on Friday, when I’m down at the station for travel.

8

I believe fluted Amtrak baggage cars are stainless (shiny) while the smooth side baggage cars were painted platinum mist. I’m not sure if any of the smooth side baggage cars are still on the active roster. The new Walthers Budd 73’ baggage cars should be plated…if they want to do it right.

Here’s a prototype:

The baggage doors, however, should be platinum mist with a single window. Easily done with Train Station Products item #505 (Walthers 732-505)

9

That does have a certain shine to it. I guess all the ones I’ve been seeing are just dirty. The baggage cars always look duller to me than the rest of the train.