Looking at a few pics posted on the net with regards to the new FVM CSX ES44's, it looks to me like the lettering on the side of the cab is incorrect with regards to the loco designation. Can anyone who maybe has all 3 of them confirm and/or post pics. Locophotos shows #701 with designation below the number not fwd of it. Was gonna purchase but I can't believe Matt got it wrong. Thanks.
CSX and/or GE played games with this lettering location - the late units had the "lightning bolts" from the beginning and the model designation offset towards the front. I think 701 and other earlier units later got the bolts - but you're right, as far as I know the lettering is centered. Frankly, these are such nice models, I'd let this pass. Question for others - how did FVM get the blue paint - ie - is it close to the Atlas/Kato DF blue (both of them seemed REALLY close, which was unusually nice). I know that CSX and Dupont were very forthcoming in supplying model railroad manufacturers with the paint samples very early on.
My 2 did not. I have 827 and 724. I wish someone could tell me why these locos do not work well with Crest/Aristocraft remote controlunits. I have 3 and all take off like rockets on the remote but run fine on the wired units. Jeff
I have looked at 701, 724, & 827 on 3 loco photo sites. All of the locos (from the sites I looked) should have the designation centered low under the number. #827 also should have a lightning bolt.
The narrow handrails and and the number of dynamic brakes vents are wrong for a CSX ES44AC, so the class lettering being in the wrong places is the least of my worries. CSX has wide handrails and three vents for the DB.
I like the FVM ES44's, but I hope Kato addresses these issue on their release. Their drawings don't seem to reflect it though (handrails and dynamic brakes), but you never know. I was a little surprised that they seem to have gotten a similar detail wrong on the SD70ACE, namely the headlights on the BNSF units. Not sure this bodes well.
Yikes - BNSF went and changed the headlights to match the model!!! A zillion pardons - every BNSF SD70ACE I had seen was an early one and they have the headlights in the nose!!! Sorry bout that!
Kato does mention multiple body style on there webpage for the ES. But we will see when they come out later in the year. I did expect them to make compromise on the CSX ACE because there are only 20 of the proto and they were all preproduction units. Also the issued with the CSX is all in the rear of the loco. They also did not mention multiple body style when they first announced them.
Nscalesupply.com has some good shots posted... I did end up getting one of the FVM CSXT units and it is awfully nice, but I am holding off on anymore until we see what Kato delivers. I bought one CP unit - and plan to buy one more - they did the handrails (black, red, white) correctly... I plan to use these to power a unit ethanol or grain train with foreign power - replacing a pair of Atlas SOO SD60's.
I just finished putting all the detail parts on. The level of detail is the best from any model out of the box, the parts (lots of them) make it even better. The detail parts were a breeze to add if you have done them on others. The dimples make the hole drilling part of the process a snap. The handrail along the side needs to be 'tacked' to the body as it leans out after removal and replacement as you can see in this photo. I removed the outer posts on the handrails (which are not correct to start with) The stock setup just made it too cluttered to where you couldn't even see the CSX logo. I need to touch up the ditch lights and maybe add replacement posts on the outside of the boxes to match closer to the prototype (or get lazy and just leave it as is)
Really nice finish work and photos Smike. I hadn't noticed the rooftop radiator grills on these GEVOs before, but it looks like there is some really nice depth to them. Great tunnel and bridge scene in the last shot! Are there any more photos of your layout posted anywhere? -Gary
Umm its a bit silly to remove the outer stanchions on the pilot because putting new ones on isnt going to change a thing, the FVM GEVO has the 'narrow' end handrails while the CSX ES44AC/DC has the 'wide' end handrails. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=332613&nseq=1 CSX with the 'wide' handrails. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=332385&nseq=3 UP with the 'narrow' handrails that FVM used and most other RR's have the same setup. Sorry to bring up another error with the FVM model...
Anyway, i'll buy a few BNSF swoosh's and the 3 cn's when they come out. They're well paint, manufactured, great runners. And by buying FVM you support a smaller, smarter company!!!:thumbs_up: When you have your long train pulled by two or three GEVO's at a few feet of you, sneaking in this gorgeous scenery you've just finished...:tb-biggrin::tb-cool: Just think....that's nice ! what else!!??:tb-wink: BTW it's not the first and sure not the last engine that isn't 100% prototypical
Yeah apart from knowing my 2 IAIS GEVO's have the wrong dynamic brake section im still going to get 513 and 506 to give myself 4 and I'll probably grab another couple and renumber them.
Thanks all for the feedback. The layout is a 4' x12" module. It's freelance based on the appalachian coal region. (PA -VA). It started as something just to try my skills after not doing anything since I was a teenager. Mike
