Beautiful model, Dave. Thanks for posting. Exclusively available on the Amtrak store along with an HO version, too.
Ding, ding, ding, ding. We have a winner!!! Here's the first shot of the 90208 that I have found on the web... not a good one unfortunately... http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4320452
Thanks for the information! No electrification in my western themed layout, so while cool, will pass on the ACS-64 version, but am all in on the F40!
When we returned from 'Nam we were spit on in Oakland, CA. Draft dodgers who fled to Canada were praised while Vietnam veterans were despised. We were called all sorts of names but I don't recall veteran being one of them. We weren't welcomed in a VFW (personal experience of mine). Too many old guys who were in the "Big one" looked down their noses at us. The Korean War vet didn't get much better treatment although many of them served in WWII also. Later on, as a result of the Gulf war, people had a change of heart. Following the Gulf war I was asked to march in a Memorial Day parade but I declined. The war was 25 years before and that was too long ago. To this day there are Vietnam veterans living under bridges, suffering as outcasts because of a government and a society that didn't care about them then and could care less about them now. Society wants to forget but we can't. I am still trying to have my name added to the honor roll in the community where I lived. You would think it should not take this long but then they only added the Vietnam War wing to the memorial fairly recently. So I won't be buying any tribute to veterans locomotive.
As far as a scale model, the P42 is the only one so far. Don't know as for future ones planned in scale models. Would like to see one done in a F40ph
Inkaneer, Thanks for your service! The treatment of the Vietnam Vets was absolutely horrible. Here at Maxwell AFB, we have Vietnam Vets visit us all the time, usually those who spent a great time in the "Hanoi Hilton." We honor their service and treat them as royalty. I wish that could have been and currently be your experience as well. I really like that companies like Amtrak are aiming to hire tons of vets over the foreseeable future (40% of all new hires at Amtrak will be military). That is one of the reasons they introduced these locomotives. They are doing their part to honor those who served and cultivate a place where vets can find jobs and not end up homeless. Hopefully future generations won't suffer the way you and your's did. My uncle served as well and came home with a two Purple Hearts. Although he was hated for his service, he is one of the lucky ones who got to go on and live a great life. He was my inspiration to join the Air Force. God bless you Inkaneer and thanks again for all you did for our country!
So, does anyone make the F40 with the door? I myself am a painter and not a kit basher. I can say though that I do have the Amtrak logos and the Veteran's logo from when I did the P42's up before KATO decided to do them. So this one should be easy (except for the door) scaling everything to fit.
