Actually 3rd, the first sold out that day, they got a few more within a few days of that. Then this group that showed up recently.
Been meaning to ask this since the thread started. Is the Amtrak "souvenir" store a Trainboard paid advertiser? They don't seem to be included on the official list: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/forumdisplay.php?245-Advertisers If not, why wasn't the link that was posted censored as are those to M-B-you-Know-who? Does Amtrak (or the OP) rate some special dispensation?
Well, I'm the OP and I can assure you that I don't rate any special anything. That said, as our national, non-profit, rail service; I think Amtrak warrants all the support us railfans can provide. It is highly unlikely that these cars were intended or expected to generate any meaningful "profit" for Amtrak. They are a PR move intended to generate support for Amtrak continuance. I'm probably not alone in having the chatter here and elsewhere motivate me to take "one last trip" on the Coast Starlight so I can again enjoy these wonderful cars. I suggest we ignore the word "store," as it generally refers to a competing, for-profit, retailer. None of that applies with Amtrak.
On top of what Jack explained.. From "E-8" ...'Charlie'...The owner of TrainBoard In his post regarding... "TrainBoard Policy on Posts About Retailers" http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?106711-TrainBoard-Policy-on-Posts-About-Retailers " Some exceptions to the policy will be made, at our discretion, in regard to specialty products, special runs, items that are only available in one place, items of great interest, etc. " If there is still confusion...click on the contact us. and ask the Boss... ;-)
Back to our regular programming...... I finally got mine on the track today. Had to first buy some Phase IVb superliners and a couple Phase Vb P42's to make a train (still need matching baggage and transition sleeper, but that's another thread). I also decided to spring for some replacement silver El Capitan trucks from Kato to make the car look "right." Bottom line is that I am delighted with this Parlour car. It looks great in the middle of the consist and with my eyes, viewing her on the track in a train where she belongs (versus under bright light on the workbench) I have no concerns with the less than perfect paint job or the corrugated vs. flat panel. Thanks Amtrak! (and of course Kato)
Clearly there is a loophole. However, periodically B-L-the-guy-in-neW-jersey has MTL produce cars exclusively for him. No doubt that they qualify as "special runs" and are "items that are only available in one place" and could well constitute "items of great interest". One wonders if links to such items would pass censorship and a thread about them would be allowed to run 10+ pages?
I guess we're not all ready to get "back to our regular programming." Maybe the requests for clarifications would be better sent directly to Charlie (as mtntrainman suggested)? Did I mention how nice these look with an upgrade to silver trucks?
PICS!!! I'll probably keep mine in IVb, even though I model mid 90s, therefore pre-Pacific Parlour timeframe. If I could figure out how to use both the Microscale Pacific Parlour and Phase III superliner decals to combine into something "different." Until then, it will stay Phase IVb. Basically thinking Phase III stripes with Pacific Parlour over them.
These are the ones that match the originals on the car (and those on the El Capitan lounges). Kato part number 800121.
Norsemanjack, Looks good with silver trucks, but Kato's PPC is correct for truck color. Their phase IVb Superliners are wrong. Trucks are to be black. http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3592478 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1361428 So I'll be paint all my trucks black.
I've seen a few silver trucks on IVb cars. If you do a Google search you see a few... but I painted mine black too.
Good comments on the prototype. I mainly went with the silver trucks so the car would blend in more seamlessly with the Superliner IVb's. I didn't like the crisp contrast between black and silver on adjacent cars. On the prototype, whether silver or black they tend to migrate towards "weathered," so things blend together a bit better.
No I agree 100% they look good with the silver trucks. I even ordered a set. But I'll be painting my Superliners black. But I'll be checking the numbers of the cars. And painting accordingly to road number.
