I just purchased 5 Amtrak Superliners and 1 Athearn AMD-103 Locomotive, the AMD-103 doesn't have good performance, so I will be going back this friday for a F59 Locomotive, Now I need to know if anybody owns a F59 Loco in the Surfliner Pain Scheme and How well does it perform and is it powerful? Also IS there any decals or anything that I need to attach to the Locomotive? And does anybody have the same problem with the AMD-103 Locomotive? Thanks [ 10 July 2002, 15:45: Message edited by: AcelaExpress2036 ]
Hello AE2036, The AMD-103/P40/42 and F59PHI are standard line releases so naturally they have the old Athearn set-up. The difference is that there is considerably more weight in the F59PHI chassis, thus it has better tractive effort. You can actually increase the pulling and slow speed performance of the AMD-103 simply by adding more weight inside the locomotive. Just look at the LifeLike P2K SD60. It weighs somewhere between 1 and 2 pounds! Whe addin weight, just be sure not to over-tax the motor. Another option I'll suggest is to repower the AMD-103. There are several chioces available when it comes to repowering locomotives with a new motor and drivetrain. Just find the one that suits you and go with it.
SD80mac hit the nail on the head--I have two Athearn Genisises and they run as well as any other Athearn. I have an Amtrak California F59 and it runs slightly smoother, which is probably a product of its weight. MR did a review on both locos at some point, I forget which issues. Derek
Ok Thanks for all the Information, Now I need to know if the F59 Loco is the same height as the Walthers Superliner Cars? If don't know, Can you measure the height of the F59(If it's not to much trouble)? Thanks!
Hi AE2036, From rail height, both the locomotive and car stand at just over 16 scale feet. They are a very good match, especially if you are planning to use them to stand in for the California Cars. If you are REALLY bold you can try scratchbuilding sides or commisioning some firm to produce some etched brass car sides or overlays for your Walthers Superliner cars!
Actually I am gonna use the F59 to pull my Pacific Surfliner, I need to repaint my Superliners into Surfliners. So let me see if I am correct, The Walthers Superliners are the same height because I want my Train to look just like the real surfliner, Thanks!
By saying "California Cars" I'm speaking of both the Pacific Surfliner Cars and Amtrak California cars, more specifically, since they are the only types of this car in revenue service. They both fall under Amtrak West. Trust me, you will be just fine with the Athearn F59PHI and Walthers Suprliner Cars. I have two F59s and frequently bracket my Superliner cars simply because it looks cool!
I have a Acela Express Trainset (2 Powered Engines & 5 Passenger Cars), 1 AMD-103 (soon to be a F59PHI) and 5 Superliners (soon to be Surfliners). I plan to take my Superliners to a Custom Paint Shop and have them made into Surfliners to match my F59. What Trains do you model?
I model mainly Western roads, more speciafically SP (my favorite next to BN and C&NW!) Actually, I am currently building a 2'x4' Free-mo module that will depict a stretch of SP mainline somewhere in the Southwest United States! Anyway, back to the trains. I model mainly the modern era at times going back to the late 60's/early 70's. This way I can run Black Widow F7s with SD45s and a BN A-B-B-A lashup! I do have some Amtrak equipment, 2 F59PHIs, 1 P40, and 4 Walthers Superliner Cars. I still need about 6 more Superliners, 2 or 3 Material Handling Cars, 4 Walthers F40PHs, 2 Athearn P42s, AND I need to finish three DA/TSP ex-ATSF Hi-Level coaches to run with the Superliners.
Oh Ok Kool! I just exchanged my AMD-103 for a F59PHI in the Pacific Surfliner Paint Scheme, it runs great! And it is the same height as my Walthers Superliners, I just one question, How do you put the Gate Guard on the Back of the Loco on? Thanks!
