The latest 3RS model from Sunset/3rd Rail arrived about two weeks ago. After a quick break-in around the layout, the "in service, 1954" version #841 went out for some minor paint detail correction and weathering. Full runs with a 13 car UP passenger train, for over an hour, on the Independent Hi-Railers, Midwest Division modular layout, (set up at last week's IHobby show) went off with no issues.

For some close-up photos, here she is after handling an advanced section of a an extra passenger special ( thus the green class lights). Typical of the bad water across Nebraska on UP's Overland Route, she has the mineral deposits on the turret and on the tender sides.

Rear end as she arrived for water & fuel.





Pulling on to the turntable.





Some close up views while on the table.













UP #844 also arrives after handling a PFE reefer block, and needs servicing also.

Hot, Nice photos and weathering. Because I have the Today version I'm about to weather her up shiny. Congrats and enjoy, they are great models!

Thought about putting an apron on that switch?

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Water:

Thanks Michael! I forgot about that switch. I'll just take the screws out, take the name plate off, and paint the whole thing grimy black.

I love the weathering job

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.....Hot Water, she looks fantastic. Really like the water stains.
Looks like a fun engine to run.

I'm surprised the tender deck is so much higher than the steam engine deck? Is something not sitting correctly?


Other wise..WOW. Nice

Whose UP passenger cars do you run behind this engine? Which manufacturer/importer?

That weathering really improves the look of the FEF. Ed

fantastic looking engine. Thanks for the photos. I had orginally committed to getting two of them, but losing a couple clients the last 6 months ended that. So far all my 3rd Rail engines are great looking engines.

I do like the weathering on it. How does it sound and pull?

Jack, She looks great all weathered up. I need to get mine into the booth and dirty her up. Thanks for posting the shots.

quote:

Originally posted by TSU Sam:
How does it sound ?

Like a NYC Hudson, just like every other non-articulated 3rd Rail steam locomotive.

Sure looked good pulling Hot Water's UPRR passenger train last Sunday at i-Hobby.

Regards,
Jerry

That is truly impressive! And six spikes per tie looks pretty good!

Nice weathering. Not overdone as I am prone to do at times.

Put a smile on my face, thanks!!!!

Hotwater,
Your locomotives and layout settings are outstanding! Thanks for sharing the great pics!

Matt

Beautiful pics and amazing weathering details. Thank you for sharing. Always nice to see such devoted modelers like Hot Water's.

Tom,

That might be the case. Mine sits perfectly flat, the deck plate matches the tender with great precision.

In the photo below I'm on a curved section of track so its slightly off but levels perfectly when straight.

quote:

Originally posted by TAG18:
I'm surprised the tender deck is so much higher than the steam engine deck? Is something not sitting correctly?

Must be the difference between 3-Rail and 2-Rail wheels. I'll have to work on mine, after checking with Scott Mann. I already "fixed" the two switch plates.

Hot Water,

Awesome pix great weathering.

I have both a gray FEF-3 837 and a black 844. Both 3 rail. The decks on both are totally flat as in pitogo's 2 rail 844 picture.


Pitogo,

Great job on the close coupling between Your FEF-3 844 2 rail engine and tender. I'd like to do the same on my FEF-3 and others. My minimum radius is 45 inches (090) with no troublesome S curves.

Is it a custom drawbar? Would be a big help to me if you would post a couple of shots showing the drawbar detail and a few words about fabrication.

Thanks a Bunch,
Austin Bill

Hi Bill,

She is bone stock 2 rail. I am using the inside pin hole for the closest coupling possible from the factory. No running issues on a 60" minimum radius.

Thanks Michael,

Looks like they're now useing different drawbars on 2 rail and 3 rail versions.

Most of my other 3rd Rail 3 rail loco's have the drawbar like yours.

I'm gonna do something to improve it. At the very least cut off some of the hook and paint it black.

By the way, while stationed on the Jersey Shore in the mid 1970's I had the good fortune to visit the NYSME layout several times. It was awesome then. Must be even better now.

Bill

Looking at the great pictures again it looks to me that the wheels on the trailing truck and maybe the drivers are off the track.

Nope. She ran onto the turntable and then backed back off the table, backed out thru the inbound track & switch and out onto the yard lead without problems.

Hot Water,

My mistake. I mistook the bridge railing for a track! Well, they're absolutely great shots and the weathering is top notch and so is what I've seen of your layout.

Thanks for the postings. They're inspiring.

Bill

HotWater: Thats a really beautiful engine! Bring it to Tennessee and we'll give this beauty a work-out! Congratulations on a really nice engine! Later, Leapin larry.

Thanks, but no thanks. Been to Tennessee; Lynchburg! Very disturbing!!! Produces the finest sippin' whiskey in the world! BUT,,,,YOU CAN"T BUY ANY OF IT!!! What the devil is wrong down there????

Those are great shots of the engine and tender and beautiful weathering. The only issue I have with 3rd Rail and all the others (Lionel & MTH, ETC) is why the "gumby type engineers"? Beautiful details by all the makers on these engines, but no decent engineers or firemen? I mean I even have one BEAUTIFUL NP Z6 by 3rd Rail and the engineer has a white shirt and tie on!

Just change them out! Arttista, Woodland Scenics, and MTH all offer some pretty nice Engineer/Fireman figures. Just this morning I picked up another MTH Engineer for my 3rd Rail CB&Q S4 Hudson #3007. The Engineer "fell out" someplace along the way and, surprisingly no one even noticed during three days of running it a Trainfest last weekend! So much for the highly detailed cab figures I've been installing.