Walthers recently put on their website that they will be releasing yet another F7 in the Proto 2000 line for their new GN “Empire Builder” passenger train. Here’s a link showing the whole announcement:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/empire_builder
The entire set retails for about $1,103, so I guess I won’t be buying it.[:O]
Have you seen this set advertised by any internet retailers? I’m interested in purchasing it but don’t want to pay the Walthers list price if I can get it at 20% off (the typical discount offered by an internet hobby shop). However, I haven’t seen it anywhere yet.
Just a note that while the whole set totals out at that 1100, the cars will be coming out one a month so you don’t have to buy it all at once, they will be coming out over the next year or so like the Super Chief cars did.
As for the internet shops selling this series, don’t forget to check with your LHS if you have one in your area. I know of a few shops around the country that are selling this series for 20% off the MSRP. Just an FYI.
But the things don’t come in Big Sky Blue, and Undecs aren’t offered. 
Everyone just wants to make my life difficult.
James.
You mean like these:?
Don’t throw in the towel so easily. They are making the cars in Big Sky Blue, so I don’t know why they wouldn’t eventually make the locomotives to match. They will probably be in a 2nd run. Good things come to people who wait.
Walthers are doing GN passenger cars in Big Sky Blue but the Empire Builder they’re doing now is the 1955 version. Didn’t someone relatively recently offer F units in BSB - maybe Athearn??
BTW I’m only about a half mile from where that pic was taken, can go by there on my way home from work. [:)]
Firsthobby has the Empire builder cars listed at a discount. I did not check for the F7’s, but I buy many items from them and they usually give a fair price. They will probably be at most of the shops.
I was concerned about the Walthers cars not having tinted glass inthese like they left out of the Super Chief Cars, which I purchased and had to install the tinted glass to make them look good.
I was also wondering if Walthers is going to screw up the Empire Builder run like they did with the Super Chief.
And where did you get the tinted glazing for the Walther’s cars?
Railway Classics makes tinted glazing for windows - check their parts section:
http://www.railwayclassics.com/
BTW just a note about the nice EB pic in the earlier post in St. Paul MN - anybody else notice that isn’t the Great Northern Empire Builder?? [:O]
Most hobby shops can get sheets of tinted glass. You place it inside the other glass and the effect is great. The domes were the hardest, but if you cut the proper size, and place it in a one half inch piece of plastice pipe, then use a blow dryer for a few seconds, the round shape can be made perfect with a little pratice.
I actually used the tinted glass from one of the importers, I believe it was Railway Classics. The Whistle Stop in Southern California has it in stock, but it is not cheap. The part number is below.
| PG01 | Proto Correct tinted glass sheet (1 sheets - does 15 cars) | $15.00 |
|---|
It was worth the effort.
Your right. It is an Amtrak train 8, and the lead loco is now BN 9736. I believe the EB and NCL are already combined into this “Empire Builder”. Also, that is not my photo either, it came from the RailPictures.net archives.