EMD F59PH - Rapido pending release

[mmie353]

Not sure if anyone is interested in this model here in the US, I think it is a limited release but Rapido are releasing a model of the EMD F59PH in all liveries, for me the one that interests me is the Chicago Metra - https://www.trainworld.com/rapido-19512-ho-scale-f59ph-metra-w-blue-vignette-99-rapido-19512.html

[connollystn]

Lots of fanastic models of American railroad prototypes being produced in recent years. There was a time in the distant past I wouldn't give them a second look. There are a few interesting soon-to-be released models which have taken my fancy, namely, Scale Trains' SDL 39.

[mmie353]

I know, I was in my local store to get some track and I saw this - http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH71528, it haunted me for a whole week so the following weekend, I went back and picked it up for $135, I thought it was a beautiful loco, this and the F59PH as my eye is on that loco. I already downloaded the ESU file that matches a Norfolk Southern SD40, all I need to do is get a sound decoder and we are off. 

I was informed that Rapido do not release the F59PH often so it is case if you want one, better get on this release or you could be waiting a long time before they may do it again.

 

[K801]

I ordered the TRE as it runs thru my back garden here in Dallas

[mmie353]

@K801 I have one of the Chicago Metra ones on order, just waiting on that call that I can go and pick it up. The TRE looks nice, there only a handful up here that run for Metra. 

[mmie353]

The phone call came today, soon as I could, off to pick up my F59PH Metra loco, lads, step lights? Track inspection lights? Even the manual can give a laugh:

 

 

If you collect US models, you may want to consider this model, I am only running mine in at the moment but I love the loco, packaged similar to the IRM A class. 

Edited April 30, 2022 by mmie353

[connollystn]

@mmie - Was looking at Rapido Trains Inc. video on YouTube with all the variants of the F59PH and they look very impressive. I bought a few Scale Trains SDL39s and the detail and quality of American models is certainly up there with the best of them. The SDL39 as it was mainly designed to operate on short lines so ideal for a small layout, similarly, the F59PH is ideal for a small layout as it can be operated with few bi-level coaches. Love the Metra colour scheme on your Rapido model - have you got stock to operate with them?

[mmie353]

I have a couple of Kato coaches for it to run with:

https://www.katousa.com/onlineshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71_75_89&products_id=1193

https://www.katousa.com/onlineshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1195

I would like to get a couple more coaches for it, but nothing else is available at the moment, I am waiting to see if Kato releases a new coach as the 2 I have are a few years old since they were released. I got them for my F40PH Walthers loco, not sure if I will replace it with a Kato model or not. 

[connollystn]

The unmistakable Pullman bi-level driving trailer with the iconic Metra paint scheme on the cab. Are Kato the only manufacturer who produce those passenger cars? I see that Bombardier are going to be building bi-level coaches for Metra, I'm surprised that company [Metra] isn't buying new locomotives.

[NorthWallDocker]

12 hours ago, connollystn said:

The unmistakable Pullman bi-level driving trailer with the iconic Metra paint scheme on the cab. Are Kato the only manufacturer who produce those passenger cars? I see that Bombardier are going to be building bi-level coaches for Metra, I'm surprised that company [Metra] isn't buying new locomotives.

You could always go with a larger scale:  https://ozarkmountainrailcar.com/railEquipment.php?itemId=2525&category=Passenger Equipment

[mmie353]

Kato are I think based out of the Chicagoland area, hence maybe why they have Metra stock. They seem to be more towards N gauge than HO, if you check out their website you should notice this. As the 2 passenger cars were the last released by Kato a few years ago, in HO, that I mentioned on my last post, when I picked up this loco almost a week ago, I was asking about more passenger coaches but I think he mentioned that Kato maybe doing something. I could be wrong, as I want to expand on my Metra coaches. Keep an eye on the Walthers website for new releases, a lot of all the manufacturers that sell over here, their products you should find on their website also, https://www.walthers.com/manufacturer-name . Apparently something seems to be announced over here almost every month.

Walthers at the moment themselves do not have coaches for Metra, but they did do a loco a few years ago, the EMD F40PH, which I have. It is a decent performer, cheaper than a Kato but the Kato is better quality. https://www.walthers.com/emd-f40ph-standard-dc-metra-128-city-of-evanston. I googled quickly and they did at some stage have a Metra coach - https://www.walthers.com/pullman-standard-commuter-cab-metra-chicago-1984. Maybe ebay to keep an eye out to see what comes along. 

He of course drew my attention to another model, there is a Bachmann Amtrak SC-44, which of course he put on the track and showed her off, https://tonystrains.com/product/bachmann-67901-ho-charger-sc-44-w-tcs-wowsound-dcc-amtrak-midwest-4618. Apparently from what he said, Bachmann models over here have improved a lot and worth while taking a look at. To be fair to this model it does look nice in the flesh.  Slowly the US locos are growing on me. 

[connollystn]

5 hours ago, mmie353 said:

Apparently from what he said, Bachmann models over here have improved a lot and worth while taking a look at. To be fair to this model it does look nice in the flesh.  Slowly the US locos are growing on me. 

In general, the quality of American HO model railroad stock has improved immensely. Bachmann seems to have a poor reputation over in the U.S.A. where their models aren't highly regarded , however, I'm sure the Charger will change opinions. The Bachmann model of the AmTrak SC-44 looks very impressive and has been given rave reviews. I'd like to get into modelling more America stock but the models are prohibitively expensive. For example, the Bachmann SC-44 in the link above costs €430 ($453) over here in Europe. I'm very happy with my ScaleTrains SDL39, just have to get some wagons to go with them. Anyway, I'm sure Kato will produce another batch of the Metra coaches as there will be a lot of demand following the release of the Rapido locomotive you have.