Train Modeler The one thing about the "cheapy Bachmann", which I own is that it can make it to a prototype speed, unlike most new passenger locos which are too slow. I look forward to finding out if this one has prototype speed. BTW, I "MU'd" my Bachmann set and it works great--lights and all. Richard
The one thing about the "cheapy Bachmann", which I own is that it can make it to a prototype speed, unlike most new passenger locos which are too slow. I look forward to finding out if this one has prototype speed.
BTW, I "MU'd" my Bachmann set and it works great--lights and all.
Richard
The Walthers Proto Metroliner can reach a top scale speed of 99 mph @ 12 volts.
I have NO catenary (no space for it) but it doesn't prevent me from primarily modeling the NEC.
If the model is available, I'm getting it. I'm not going to let my space constraints dictate what model I buy. As long as a have a layout that can support the train itself (all of which can be powered through the rails), I'll get what I want. It irks me every time that argument is made about modeling the NEC. If I waited until I had catenary before I bought a single peice of NEC equipment I'd be screwed trying to find an AEM7, E60, amfleets, etc. by the time I was able to install catenary.
(sorry for the rant)
Thanks Walthers for making these available! Although these are out of my particular era, I am thrilled for Metro fans out there. Since I likely won't be a participant in this release (if I had more disposable income I'd contribute to the cause), I'll make up for it with the re-tooled amfleets .
Thanks again! This is awesome!
~Kyle
The Mary Lindsay Railroad - Featuring Amtrak Model Trains Your HO Rail Journey Starts Here.........
www.marylindsayrr.vze.com (Last Update: 5/31/12)
Looking forward to this release but really would like to see a Phase IV unpowered cab car with wiring for a function decoder.
I guess this announcement was timed for National Train Day because this flyer was being handled out at the National Train Day event at Grand Central Terminal in New York.
Not to diminish Walthers efforts, but a suggestion I wish they would consider:
The Pennsylvania and Penn Central versions are basically the same paint scheme: Stainless Steel finish with white cab sides and red stripes on the window row.
Walthers........offer the decals separately! For the Pennsy version, it's the Keystone Herald while for PC, the worms.
I understand that by selling the "Pennsy" version as a limited edition set Walthers will recoup on its investment, but as a service to customers it seems that offering the decal option would generate quite a number of sales as well.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Very nice move from Walthers and it makes sense. Modelers have been wanting retooled Amfleet cars for some years now and logically, Walthers will be able to tool Amfleet units from the Metroliner dies. Additionally, some of us "seasoned" guys (ok, over the age of 40) have been hoping that someone would eventually produce the "Metros".
The prototype Budd Metroliner came first, introduced in the late 60s. Units were "tested" on the Pennsylvania Railroad, but by the time they went into revenue service it was on the Penn Central. Amtrak took them over in 1971.
Amfleet cars, IIRC, were introduced in 1974. Smart move on Budd's part in reusing the Metroliner shell to create cars designed for medium distance service. Years later Amfleet II units were introduced to supplement Amtrak's rebuilt Heritage cars for long distance service.
I've been a fan of the Budd Metroliners since my teen years and have a collection of the HO Bachmann versions. When produced in the 70s, we viewed them as very nice looking units. They're crude by today's standards, but look decent once you hop them up. These are a few Bachmann Metro shells that I metalized with Alclad a few years ago. Here they have not been toned down with clear yet.
I think Walthers' management may be concerned that units in the Penn Central scheme might not sell, inspite of the fact that a good number of Metroliners stayed in the Penn Central scheme well into the Amtrak era. But that's just my assumption as perhaps Walthers may be planning to issue units in PC afterwards, especially if enough modelers request it.
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Noticeably absent are any Penn Central painted cars.
Makes since IMO.
Wouldn't modeling the metroliner basically be an amfleet with a cab, pantographs, and a few other detail changes?
Vincent
Wants: 1. high-quality, sound equipped, SD40-2s, C636s, C30-7s, and F-units in BN. As for ones that don't cost an arm and a leg, that's out of the question....
2. An end to the limited-production and other crap that makes models harder to get and more expensive.
I bet a lot of Metroliner fans will be thrilled. Way to new for me as well, but given Walthers usually does a good job with passenger car models, I see them selling quite a few and many people hopefully being happy with the models as a whole.
Alvie
Why not? I don't think they've really been done before, other than a cheapy Bachmann model. And something Penn Central that actually worked. Too new for me, but hey.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
FROM WALTHER'S WEBSITE:
HO scale, $169.98, not currently in stock at Walthers, Expected: 28-Feb-2013 (Limited Run)
Snack Bar Coach Standard DC Amtrak #863 (Phase I) Walthers Part # 920-13800
Parlor Car Standard DC Amtrak #886 (Phase I) Walthers Part # 920-13820
Coach Standard DC Amtrak #822 (Phase I) Walthers Part # 920-13840
Coach w/Tsunami(R) Sound & DCC Amtrak #823 (Phase I) Walthers Part # 920-14841
Flashing by at 100+mph, Metroliners symbolized American high-speed rail service for over 25 years, serving business travelers on Penn Central and later Amtrak as the fastest scheduled trains in the western hemisphere! Now these history-making trains are back in authentic HO Scale as only Walthers can, with the all-new WalthersProto Metroliner. Just as the prototypes broke new ground in style and technology, so do our Metroliners! Completely new from roof to rails, we've captured the unique shape of the Coach, Snack Bar Coach and Parlor Car in all-new tooling. Each comes fully assembled with Walthers real metal stainless steel finish complimented by ultra-sharp Amfleet Phase I paint and lettering now including factory-printed car numbers too. Fine details, from a full underbody to installed grab irons, from prototypically tinted windows to sprung General Electric or Westinghouse pantographs as appropriate, are all included. Powered by the proven technology of WalthersProto locos, each car has its own high torque motor, driving a powered truck with helical gears, and comes in dual mode Tsunami Sound & DCC (sound operates on DC) or Standard DC versions for every layout. * Based on Equipment in Service 1968-1995 * All-New Tooling for 3 Prototype Car Styles * One Helical Geared Power Truck & Skew-Wound High Torque Motor in Each Unit * Working Headlight, Gyra Light, Reversing Red Marker Lights, Number Boards & Interior Lighting * Classic Amfleet Phase I Scheme on Standard Edition Cars * Detailed, Spring-Loaded GE or Westinghouse Pantographs per Prototype * Real Metal Finish Simulates Stainless Steel * Correct A & B End Details * All Grab Irons Factory Installed * Factory-Printed Road Numbers * Prototypically Accurate Window Tinting * Available with Factory-Installed Tsunami(R) Sound & DCC (Sound operates on DC) * Proto MAX(TM) Metal Knuckle Couplers PLEASE NOTE: As these cars are the correct prototype length and feature full underbody detail to match the prototypes, a minimum 24" radius is recommended for operation.
Snack Bar Coach w/Tsunami(R) Sound & DCC Pennsylvania #850 (Test Scheme) Walthers Part # 920-14819
Parlor Car w/Tsunami(R) Sound & DCC Pennsylvania #882 (Test Scheme) Walthers Part # 920-14839
Coach w/Tsunami(R) Sound & DCC Pennsylvania #800 (Test Scheme) Walthers Part # 920-14858
Available while supplies last, with production strictly limited to just 350 four-car sets, Deluxe Edition models for this one-of-a-kind release are factory finished in Pennsylvania paint and lettering, used on cars delivered for testing just before the Penn Central merger was approved. The cars were quickly modified before entering revenue service, making it the rarest of all Metroliner schemes. The Deluxe Edition consists of four cars (two coaches, a parlor and a snack bar coach), with factory-installed LED lighting and a set of Preiser EST team engineering figures inside. Sold only as a four-car set (each car ships individually in the same month as the standard version), Deluxe Edition cars will not be sold separately. * Rare Pennsylvania Delivery Scheme * One-Time Production Run