I just ran my set of Phase V Amfleets and noticed that the wheels on the cafe were squealing horribly and it seemed to be causing the HHP-8 to spin its wheels in spots.

What's the deal with that coach included with the set?

I was thinking of using #6 switches anyway. I think a 22" curve will work with long-shank couplers on the cars. It's really the DDs that I'm replacing switches and curves for.

What switch should be used with the Walthers DD Commuter Cars? I'm planning to redo my curves and switches to handle these cars and better handle the regular streamliners.

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=750585&image=170945934&images=170945910,170945934,170945965&formats=0,0,0&format=0

Here's a pic of product 89013 off an ebay auction. Looks like you have Post-War cars to me.

Are the trucks and underbody a blackish color or a greenish color?

I assume that Walthers sells alot of passenger cars by supplying name and number decals? Yet, the recent announcements are priced in the same range as the Rapido cars.

Athearn made an SDP40 a while ago. Maybe they'll retool the mold for it and reissue it as part of the RTR line.

Pick an end and cut out windows on the sides. You'll need a cab car for them to run in commuter service.

Quote from: Frisco on August 21, 2008, 02:45:06 PM
I can see the point of view for those who do not want sound or DCC, but for those who run DCC there is no reason not to get them, because they cost pritty much the same price as comparibale sized BLI and Bachmann locomotives you can think of the extra functions as something that is thrown in for free that when the rest of the hobby catches up (more DCC systems offer 28 functions)  will be waiting for you, same for the smoke unit it is not costing you any more and can be turned off if you do not want it(myself I think it is one of their best items). I do wish they would offer locomotives just DCC ready so that I could just get one or two sound/DCC/smoke locomotives per set. I think the reason that they are not doing this is because of all the items you would be loosing with it for example the working mars light on the GS-4.

There can be a way to include a working Mars Light on DC. My P2K E8 has one and it's from the early 90s.

Quote from: WGL on August 17, 2008, 02:13:14 AM
Ken S, my IHC smooth passenger GN cars look the right color (dark green roofs, orange sides) to me & match the colors of my EMD SD-45 GN locomotive.  I chose IHC, because of the price & because their ad said that the cars work on 18"r, which was all I had.  However, I just got some 22"r & built a second oval outside the one with 18"r, & plant to run my passenger train on the outside oval with its wider curves.
  Gene, I'll check other sources for the wheels.  I'll look for birdshot.  It certainly would adapt well to the available floor space.

It depends heavily on the railroad. IHC chose one set of prototypes and released it in smoothisde and CS versions whether they were accurate or not. Mind you, Walthers released PRR, NYC, and PC dome coaches some years ago.

I'm wondering how well this new UP coach will sell with a price tag equal to a Rapido car. I'm also thinking about buying a Rapido car at some point since the EL is one of my modeling interests.

I don't have problems using two engines on a train. I often run my P32-8 and F40PH in push-pull mode on corridor trains and have no problems unless a coupling breaks lose.

As for dummies, good luck. Athearn's not making them anymore.

The current stock of IHC cars is very lacking in detail and some of the paint schemes look horrible or are wrong. NJT has a bare window on the coaches and silver trucks, the "Jersey Builders" never had silver trucks, Amtrak (P1) has the black roof (this is a Rivarossi mistake that IHC continues to make) and silver trucks. Of all the new IHC cars I've gotten over the years, the only one still in service is the DL&W HW Obs as a PV for the rear of my Amtraks or "my" business car. I'd rather find the Rivarossi cars at train shows, they look so much nicer.

Is there some reason the Amfleet I cars weren't made in the as-delivered Phase I paint scheme? I'm not really that picky about Amfleet cars. You can also put me down for Amfleet IIs and a cab car in both Phase III and "Phase V" paint schemes.

If anyone has had both the current B-Mann and the Walthers Amfleets. I hope yoou saved the decal sheets from the Walthers. I used mine to number the cars and replace the coach/cafe markings on a set of Phase III cars and as far as I'm concerned, the Phase III cars look much nicer with the Walthers lettering on them.