Fox Valley GP60M's

[Seligman Sub]

These look FANTASTIC!  But I have to ask why, like every N scale loco, do they not paint the truck side frames? Drives me nuts

[Philip H]

These look FANTASTIC!  But I have to ask why, like every N scale loco, do they not paint the truck side frames? Drives me nuts

Truck sideframes are often made of Delrin or another, similar "slippery" plastic.  Only a small number of solvent based paints will adhere to them.  So it becomes a cost issue since the manufacturers want as few set-ups for finish as possible.

[Seligman Sub]

Oh I know, just wish there was a more economical manufacturing process so they can be painted.  Oh well, more for me to do I guess 

[VonRyan]

Matt has used the 6-pin Euro plug-ins on his previous production, and used the same "easy DCC" language on the announcements for the GP60's. Maybe I possibly jumped the gun, but I ordered TCS EUN651 decoders to be shipped with my order. Pretty safe assumption, I think.

Dave, they're gorgeous. Glad I ordered a set. Thanks for showing them in a great setting.

The TCS EU 6-pin decoder are fine as all 6-pin decoders match the NEM standard. (what NEM means, i'm not too certain, but it is used to refer to the couplers used on UK stock and a few other things)


-Cody F.

[Leggy]

It looks as though the fuel tank on the M isn't set back toward the resr truck like on the prototype, FVM must have used the same mech for both the M and B.

[C855B]

... (what NEM means, i'm not too certain, but it is used to refer to the couplers used on UK stock and a few other things) ...

European NMRA, more or less. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normen_Europ%C3%A4ischer_Modellbahnen

[dave n]

Man, I can't wait for mine...

Dave, do they come with the painted grabs to be applied by the owner?  Looks like it from the photos.

Yes, they come with a little bag with a bunch of painted grabs, lift eyes, etc.  Nice touch (these are my first FVM locomotives)!

[davefoxx]

Oh, man.  I am soooooo close to pulling the trigger on one of the Santa Fe GP60Ms.  I have no need for one, nor does it fit my era of 1983-86.  But, who cares?  I have always liked the GP60M since that locomotive debuted somewhere around 1990.  Double the coolness when AT&SF brought back the silver and red warbonnet.

Rule #1, right?

DFF

[jagged ben]

Oh, man.  I am soooooo close to pulling the trigger on one of the Santa Fe GP60Ms.  I have no need for one, nor does it fit my era of 1983-86.  But, who cares?  I have always liked the GP60M since that locomotive debuted somewhere around 1990.  Double the coolness when AT&SF bought back the silver and red warbonnet.

Rule #1, right?

DFF

1990 is correct.  And really not so far from 1986.

[VonRyan]

European NMRA, more or less. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normen_Europ%C3%A4ischer_Modellbahnen

I figured as much since I've seen the term used with UK and Continental products.


-Cody F.

[w neal]

I think I still have my copy of "Great" Model Railroads circa 1991? that talks about the dash 8s (and I think) GP60s as being some of the newest power on the prototype.

Ah the 90s. That was my personal golden era of railfaning. So many fallen flags since.

[wmcbride]

Beautiful units and mine should be here today.

I was looking at the photos and trying to think what made the noses look so plain. Then I realized i am used to seeing these with the black anti-glare paint on the top of the nose.

[Leggy]

I did some digging and....according to http://www.qstation.org/atsf/antiglare.html
113 didn't have antiglare.
129 did.
147 did.
152 didn't.

Tho the antiglare was added after delivery so these are correct for as delivered condition....

[jereising]

I did some digging and....according to http://www.qstation.org/atsf/antiglare.html
113 didn't have antiglare.
129 did.
147 did.
152 didn't.

Tho the antiglare was added after delivery so these are correct for as delivered condition....

Good to know, Mitch.

And for those of us modeling "today" you need to be aware that 113 is now in H2 and 152 is off roster.

129 is still in silver and appears to have been repainted with a large BNSF on the long hood...and

147 still runs as a warbonnet with only a patch under the cab number.

ALL the B units are in H1.

[mcjaco]

I think I still have my copy of "Great" Model Railroads circa 1991? that talks about the dash 8s (and I think) GP60s as being some of the newest power on the prototype.

Ah the 90s. That was my personal golden era of railfaning. So many fallen flags since.

That was the era that really got my blood pumping for ATSF.  Once the Warbonnets came back, and the GP60s and the Dash 8's started rolling off the line, I was hooked again.  I believe the 8's were a few years down the road......