That engine variant has been in development for two years. It also has a revised cab. I hope it hits the catalog soon. When I last talked to them I asked about another run of the streamlined Hudson. They said it was under consideration but no decision yet made.
New 4-6-2 coming from American Models.
Back in Mid-April I ordered some parts from American Models. Since I live in Jackson MI, and they’re located in Whitmore Lake- which is about 45-60 minutes from me, depending on highways or the scenic route-I opted to pick up my order.
They mentioned they had something new in the works . The gentleman who assisted me showed me a number of things I hadn’t seen and then this little gem:
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he described it as a “4-6-2 with a Vandy Tender”. I asked about price, he said between $600 and $800. He said it was different than the USRA Heavy they made previously.
He didn’t give me a date on release , but soon. Seems Ron Bashista had been working on it when he died.
I don’t recognize the prototype, but I like it. I want one.
They mentioned they had something new in the works . The gentleman who assisted me showed me a number of things I hadn’t seen and then this little gem:
he described it as a “4-6-2 with a Vandy Tender”. I asked about price, he said between $600 and $800. He said it was different than the USRA Heavy they made previously.
He didn’t give me a date on release , but soon. Seems Ron Bashista had been working on it when he died.
I don’t recognize the prototype, but I like it. I want one.
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One thing I would hope AM corrects on the new 4-6-2 is the location of the main rod on the crosshead. Since the beginning, the main rod is secured on the outside of the crosshead. It should be on the inside. The crosshead part is actually designed to have the main rod on the inside.
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If not, well it's a pretty easy thing to change. After removing the rod and valve gear assembly, carefully punch out the rivet, move the rod to the inside, reuse the rivet and flare it over with a center punch. I've done this to my four AM 4-6-2s, both scale and hirail. It doesn't affect operation one bit.
Rusty
If not, well it's a pretty easy thing to change. After removing the rod and valve gear assembly, carefully punch out the rivet, move the rod to the inside, reuse the rivet and flare it over with a center punch. I've done this to my four AM 4-6-2s, both scale and hirail. It doesn't affect operation one bit.
Rusty
The answer is: It depends. If your running AC or Legacy, without a doubt the Lionel/Flyer Pacific at $699.99 is the better value, even before discounting. You'd be hard pressed to find the AM Pacific at a discount.
However if your looking for Scale operation, the AM model is "it" as there are no scale wheel conversions for the Lionel/Flyer Pacifics.
Detail wise, the Lionel/Flyer Pacific wins hands down. It is a very good representation of a USRA light Pacific. This is the TMCC version from 2007:
The AM Pacific is almost Mantua-like (HO) with its minimal detail. However, the AM model is a good "blank slate" for detailing if one so desires.
That said, at $600 for the projected price for the (I assume conventional DC) AM model seems a little high. But I guess you have to put it in perspective, it's not 2008 anymore when the DC model sold for $300.. I don't think even Lionel would be able to maintain the current $699.99 asking price if they do a following run of Pacifics or Mikados.
And of course, AM doesn't offer a command version and the TMCC/Legacy sounds are far superior to the Ott (last I heard) sound board AM uses.
Rusty
To add to what Rusty said, the Legacy Pacific is far more detailed plus has fan driven smoke, an electrocoupler, operating classification lights, outstanding quality sounds and communicates with Sensor Tracks for operation control as well as programming. Legacy engines also run on DCC. When Scale Trains releases their S gauge engines (several years out?) they will be DCC so being able to use their engines and Legacy with the same controller will be nice.
The best running engines on conventional power are Legacy engines. They have excellent speed control, can creep along when needed and most sounds are available with just the whistle and bell buttons. I bought three of the new Legacy Pacifics for $630 each, Santa Fe, NYC and Great Northern.
I think $600+ for a new AM Pacific is not competitive when it has no electronics in it. Under the shell it is basically an updated Gilbert engine with a piston driven chugger and smoke unit. AM makes the best available Northern but I spent another $450 to have mine converted to run on Legacy with a fan driven smoke unit, Railsounds and electrocoupler.
Pictures of the three Pacifics.
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The best running engines on conventional power are Legacy engines. They have excellent speed control, can creep along when needed and most sounds are available with just the whistle and bell buttons. I bought three of the new Legacy Pacifics for $630 each, Santa Fe, NYC and Great Northern.
I think $600+ for a new AM Pacific is not competitive when it has no electronics in it. Under the shell it is basically an updated Gilbert engine with a piston driven chugger and smoke unit. AM makes the best available Northern but I spent another $450 to have mine converted to run on Legacy with a fan driven smoke unit, Railsounds and electrocoupler.
Pictures of the three Pacifics.
In defense of the AM Pacific, as I've stated above it's a good blank slate for detailing. The other saving grace of the AM Pacific is they run beautifully. This one will eventually become a Santa Fe locomotive of a fictional 3601 class:
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Right now, it's currently on a very crowded back burner.
And here's the other side of my redetailed Pacific done in 1998:
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As for the upcoming offering: The jury's out. While I have some ideas, I need another locomotive project like I need a hole in my head. (Just where is my drill, anyway?
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Rusty
Right now, it's currently on a very crowded back burner.
And here's the other side of my redetailed Pacific done in 1998:
As for the upcoming offering: The jury's out. While I have some ideas, I need another locomotive project like I need a hole in my head. (Just where is my drill, anyway?
)Rusty
The newest FlyerChief engines with BT are pretty nice. Legacy engines are a step above in details, electronics and features, performance and price. Some engines are made in both configurations, some are only FlyerChief and some are only Legacy.
Here are some pictures of the first release Legacy Y3's and the latest release with whistle steam added. The two small slots in the track in front of the uncoupler is a Sensor Track for issuing preset commands to Legacy engines at that point on the layout.
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Here are some pictures of the first release Legacy Y3's and the latest release with whistle steam added. The two small slots in the track in front of the uncoupler is a Sensor Track for issuing preset commands to Legacy engines at that point on the layout.
Interesting job. That a freelanced/fictional railroad? What’s the story on it?In defense of the AM Pacific, as I've stated above it's a good blank slate for detailing. The other saving grace of the AM Pacific is they run beautifully. This one will eventually become a Santa Fe locomotive of a fictional 3601 class:
View attachment 604850
Right now, it's currently on a very crowded back burner.
And here's the other side of my redetailed Pacific done in 1998:
View attachment 604852
As for the upcoming offering: The jury's out. While I have some ideas, I need another locomotive project like I need a hole in my head. (Just where is my drill, anyway?
Rusty
Yes, the Seattle Tacoma and Portland is a fictional railroad. It's but one of several fictitious railroads I've done. I came up with the ST&P in the mid-1970's when I was in HO. It actually was a little earlier when it was just initials without a name. I though I could use STP oil decals for a herald. I put them on one locomotive and it looked just plain silly. I eventually came up with a triangular herald and had Miller Engineering run decals in yellow and white so I could do both steam and diesel. The Pacific is the only ST&P S Scale steam locomotive, although there are four steamers in HO. After Miller gave up the custom deal business, I had Rail Graphics make decals suitable for S Scale.
I've also done a pair of FP7's and a GP9 in S plus a handfull of freight cars:
The ST&P is in "retirement." The new railroad will have a new name.
Rusty
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