HO kitbashed Amtrak Cascades Talgo train w/OMI F59PHi, Bachmann SC44 Charger and Rapido F40 NPCU.

Reposting with fixed (?) video color balance
It was intended to be a teaser video since I still have to work on specific bistro cafe and prototypical F40 NPCU with Cascades livery. The Talgo set was kitbashed by me from two ETRL/Electroten Amtrak sets. The "shark fin" end cars were entirely modified with stock styrene shapes. No 3D printing. I am not going about specifics of how I did it. Rapido NPCU and Bachmann Charger just received mild reprogramming. The F59PHi received custom DCC installation with Loksound 5 decoder, Zimo "Dumbo'' speaker and full LED lighting. I plan to release another video once I finish these other projects related to Cascades. Enjoy the video and subscribe.

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

That is the best looking and sounding HO Amtrak Cascades train I've ever seen!

[@truebras]

Still I want to do a F40 NPCU in Cascades colors. Finding the me is the problem.

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

I understand. Maybe buy an existing Amtrak NPCU and then try painting it into Cascades Scheme. Nevertheless, at least you have the Bachmann Charger and the Brass F59PHI, and it just looks amazing!

[@truebras]

@@user-TheBestRailfan, They never really ran with this configuration locomotive. Only occasionally when they were testing Chargers.

[@farmerdave7965]

Beautiful !

[@devoncantrell3311]

I’d do anything for one of these with the green and brown. EMDF40PH on one end and an F59 on the other. I used to ride that train every single weekend as a kid to the history museum in Tacoma to check out their layout. I’d spend hours there every weekend and I’d fall asleep on the train back. I took the cascades so so often as a kid and have so many very fond memories of that specific train set.

[@truebras]

I myself only took the Amtrak Cascades with Talgo VI “Shark Fin” only in 3 round trips from Eugene to Seattle and to Vancouver BC. It took me almost 10 years to get to the consist that you saw in this video. It takes about 6 months to make a consist. After make a couple of them, I was burned out. So, for more than 7 years I run it too little and without decals. When Rapido released the F40PH “Cabage” about 6 years ago, I started to get motivated again. Then, Bachmann released the Siemens Charger locomotive in Cascade colors. I was really surprised that they did it in the first run. Bachmann will make the Siemens Venture cars and it is very likely that they will make for new Cascades consists. Regarding someone making the Talgo VI model in HO, I am afraid that will have to wait a long time. I noticed that it takes about 40-50 years for a model train manufacturer to a vintage consist considered to make into HO model. I didn’t know that was a layout in Tacoma. I was trying to see a train club in Seattle that was started by employees from Boeing, but that never worked out in my trips. Portland has a great layout near the city’s Rose Garden. I highly recommend to check it out.

[@devoncantrell3311]

@@truebras that’s a lot of work and dedication if I were to put that much effort into any consist it would be this one though. F40ph on one end and F59 on the other. It was an awesome layout! It was at the industrial history museum and always had 4+ guys running the trains. The whole museum shit down sadly. One of the best museums in the area. The maritime museum in Seattle was awesome too.

[@Ken-vz9ko]

Superb

[@devoncantrell3311]

You could tell me 3:45 was a real video and I might believe you.

[@truebras]

Thanks!

[@devoncantrell3311]

@@truebras the background looks like a socked out sky. Just looks like a foggy day at first glance.

[@Hgshelby]

This is just amazing, lots of time and effort. Well done. I'm taking my best shot at making a series 8 trainset. Been doing CAD drawings for about 3 weeks now. Did you happen to do the interiors of these cars or just use blacked out windows?

[@truebras]

Hi, these are not 3D printed. These are Talgo 6 models made by Electrotren. I kitbashed the bat wings HEP and baggage cars. Coach and diner come with simple interiors. I will be interested in a “school bus “ cab control car. Keep me posted if you are working on it.

[@truebras]

Hi, I will be highly interested if you make the “School Bus NPCU” . Keep me posted.

[@wolfen216]

I've got 10 cars and a dream to do this. Would you happen to know where I could find plans or dimensions?

[@truebras]

So, about 15 years ago when webpages looked very different from now, someone posted elevation drawings of Talgo VI generator and baggage cars. I think these were reproductions or prototype manufacturer, Talgo. That was how I roughly started cut shapes on styrene sheets. That site is gone now. I also downloaded as many pictures of Talgo VI trains. So, a lot was done by eye. I no longer have any interest in making another set because it takes too much time to do it. Someone is offering the shark fin roof and also complete generator and baggage cars in 3D printing. However, I noticed that is not correctly done because the sides doesn’t conform with curved sides of car nor the arch of fin shape doesn’t look right. Anyway, that is me, I am extremely picky about correct details. You may find these 3D printed parts at Shapeways.

[@kennethgraham3661]

Where does one even get one of these talgo trains let alone the second car behind the engine can you explain what they are

[@fredrick5152]

Is that a brass F59phi?

[@truebras]

🧐

[@waldolahr9726]

That doesn’t even look kitbashed. That looks official

[@oehttheidiot]

I require the talgo set

[@devoncantrell3311]

You could tell me 3:45 was a real video and I might believe you.