My Most Expensive Train Purchase Ever?!?!

After nearly three years of waiting, my Amtrak Viewliners and Superliners have finally arrived from Golden Gate Depot but, are they worth the price? Let's check them out and talk a little bit about why I decided to buy these cars, today on RJ's Trains.
Save $10 at Trainz.com/rjtrains with code "RJTrains"
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
1:42 - What Are These Cars?
4:32 - Why Did I Buy These?
8:12 - Are They Worth It?
10:10 - The Capitol Limited
12:15 - The Cardinal
14:56 - The Carolinian

[@Dadified86]

The trains are cool but your stories and ties to these are what make them really special. I’m admittedly lacking in Amtrak knowledge so thanks for the great lesson on these cars!!

[@rj.trains]

I won't hold your lack of Amtrak knowledge against you haha

[@danvargas4854]

Great video Owner Scott Mann 3rd rail and Golden gate depot is a Friend and He is so Great to be producing Our Wish list Trains and as long as there are enough requests and Orders he can Produce Any Train with all the Awesome details and functions. Great video and Story with history and actual Trains together in your presentation!

[@rj.trains]

I am very excited for the ALC42s, hopefully he gets enough orders to produce them. I know I am doing my part with three on order haha

[@rjshier9188]

The new passenger cars are stunning! Thanks for the history back ground on some of the Amtrak trains. A few years ago my wife and I rode on Amtrak from Lapeer, Michigan to Chicago. It was a nice ride and easy way in and out of Chicago. We also rode passenger train from Sarnia to Toronto. That was a nice ride with great countryside viewing.

[@jamesf791]

Nothing wrong with enjoying Amtrak. It's been around for a little over 50 years now. So most people it's the only thing they know. But RJ, I always enjoyed your videos. Don't mind if they are new out of the box or vintage either. Enjoy summer

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Glad to find another Amtrak fan. I was a Washington, DC Lead Service Attendant in the late 80s and 90s, and later a CSX locomotive engineer (qualified over the RF&P sub - I noticed the truck). Phase III paint is my favorite, and I miss the F40 "Screamers". I worked "The Cap" a couple of different times while I was there, both single-level and Superliners.

[@buffaloarearailfan9928]

Great Video! Those Golden Gate Viewliners look amazing!

[@solutions2exist556]

Great review. I could not afford to get entire set and add-ons. I wanted the Amtrak, Santa Fe, and GN cars so I just ordered the extra cars. This review and presentation is the best one I have experienced in several years. Thank you.

[@rj.trains]

Thank you very much!

[@exit6610]

Great video. The trains that Scott and his group produces are beyond fantastic. As you can guess by my name, I'm definitely an Amtrak fan 😊. Subscribed!

[@gavinsimmonsmccullum4219]

Great review and excellent points made! I ordered some Viewliners (both runs) and I also question spending so much, but we may never have an opportunity to find these modern cars again at $400/piece. Thanks for supporting and making all those Amtrak purchases and videos! It helps the manufacturers understand there is a market for modern, scale, passenger equipment!

[@rj.trains]

I am doing all I can on KZbin and behind the scenes to get as much Amtrak made as possible haha. I guess it is working so far.

[@scottstrainloft5965]

Nice video, RJ. Loved all the information and I must say those Viewliners are spectacular. Thanks for sharing

[@rj.trains]

Thanks for watching!

[@kiscofallsrailroad]

Great video and love the application and use in current rosters that Amtrak runs. Thanks for sharing.

[@rj.trains]

Thanks for watching!

[@Saltyglass]

I just got my view liner cars in the mail today, I’m very impressed with them very happy I got them! Those super liners look very nice to!!

[@rj.trains]

Yes they are!

[@BledsoeTrainsRC]

Congrats man! I ended up with several myself. I don't buy many passenger cars anymore from other manufactures, besides Atlas which you mentioned. I think if Lionel produced aluminum cars again they would be comparably priced to GGD. To me it comes down to if you just want some Amtrak cars (or other roads) there's other more inexpensive options, but if you want the best/most accurate passenger cars, GGD is the answer.

[@rj.trains]

Thank you! Lionel's plastic cars are almost GGD price at this point. I agree with your point, that is why I bought these and ordered more. I love Amtrak and they will not get better than this.

[@vahanyazarian5582]

Even little people How real can it get! Thank You!

[@rj.trains]

Thank you for watching!

[@SignalLightProductions]

Great video RJ! I bought 8 Superliners and 6 Viewliners between the two runs. Hopefully they'll do Amfleet IIs at some point. I love riding Amtrak and these cars help me relive the memories of my trips, so while they are pricey I couldn't pass them up.

[@rj.trains]

I agree, I really hope Scott does Amfleet IIs in the future. My Amfleet Is will do just fine for now.

[@ColoradooscaleOrg]

Please take note: Overland Models Inc. OMI of Muncie Indiana produced brass 1/48 Superliners, both the first versions (1980s) and later (1990s) by Ajin in Korea in “o scale” 2 rail not toy tin plate 3 rail. Viewliners, no, Scott is the only game in town and we thank him. Great looking models

[@prrhorseshoecurve]

Note the O M I Superliners did NOT have any interiors. Ok for the time they were made but outdated since the new Century.

[@DenverOScaleClub]

@prrhorseshoecurve .....make your own; I 3D print my interior parts. Oh wait since yiu cannot build anything I agree these models are absolutely, not for you. New century, hahaha 😆 modern brass since 80s through through the 00s will never be matched again .. mostly because you can't afford it. Wasatch California Zephyr cars 2024 made to the same standards as brass not these extruded inexpensive methods like GGD are 2k a car. Grow up.

[@ColoradooscaleOrg]

Hi @prrhorseshoecurve 👋 never mind that crabby guy. Haha 😄 Anyway, yes, models have made a lot of innovation over the years. The age of model has very little to do with its fidelity and quality as a miniature. In brass, model accuracy has been on standard since the late 80s and one by one the addition of level of finish was brought into production such as factory paint or interiors. To keep costs down in the 00s, the last run of OMI Superliners were sans interiors, which kept them under 650 a car then! Most O scale modelers are just that; we are modelers and scratch builders and we all have varying levels of skill or desires. The OMI Superliners are far better detailed than the GGD cars, photo etching and full underbody and plated instead of painted. As Scott would tell us the number of "hits" on the model in production greatly determine it's price. I call Scott [GGD] the miracle worker. How he keeps these models as inexpensive as they are 400-600 a car is incredible. If OMI produced these cars in 2024 at Ajin to the same standard as the 90s-00s brass they would be 1200 a car and still likely be missing an interior; they are far more labor intensive than extruded bodies like Scott's and I have brass made in 1993 by Wasatch Model Company [Ace PM] of the 1950s Union Pacific cars that are the absolute high water mark for detail and accuracy, easily 300 times the fillegree of GGD cars but they were 500 a car in 1993 and didnt have interiors! I make my own to far beyond GGD interiors due to costs, Scott produces us beautiful models that are affordable for those of us wanting 11-12 car trains or in my case trains that will NEVER be produced in 1/48 due to excessive cost. My most recent acquisition from Scott[GGD] the Colorado Eagle MoP sets are absolutely fabulous, especially considering they are only 3k a set. In brass this would have been far better detailed yes and likely more accurate but also 15k! Wasatch Model Company is doing the 1948-1971 California Zephyr in brass now, Fall delivery. Full interior and not just interior but finished interiors, decorations, accuracy like colors, china patterns like Coach Yard has been doing in HO since the 90s. These 11 car trains are 30k. I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled to have GGD produce models like these Superliners that are nice, 80% and look great for fraction of the cost. Before you assume a model produced in 1988 is bad simply because it's made in 1988 and is missing interior partitions and seats and or unpainted is very very niave. You obviously need glasses because where GGD stops detailing the brass model produced in 1988 blows it away. I have both the new GGD cars and both runs of OMI and I would never give up my brass cars however I am thrilled to add the GGD to my collection as well. Scott is the miracle worker. And he produces us some beautiful stuff. Sometimes his models to keep the costs down have discrepancies and those of us with modeling skill can correct them. I give GGD, a big 2 thumbs up, it seems a bit funny how I've turned the topic on this video from "expensive" to "inexpensive" GGD models are inexpensive compared to high end brass regardless if it was made "in the last century or this one" model detailing and authenticity has been at the mark since the 70s, if you know what to look for. Looking at the Tyco catalog is a country mile from Pacific Fast Mail hand made brass from Japan. That other guy was rude but he's right, gaining some experience helps and trying to avoid being naive before passing erroneous judgment. Brass models, especially the good ones are rare and not commonly found at hobby shops or train shows. Do investigate and learn about quality 1/48 brass its phenomenal, I am 48 and still learning. There is a lot to learn buddy! Keep buying from GGD so he keeps making us these beautiful models.

[@ColoradooscaleOrg]

Great video! Scott is getting a great following now 👏 keep up the great work I enjoy your videos very much. ❤

[@rj.trains]

Thank you very much!

[@gavinearl5705]

Really loved your video. I’m no guru in Amtrak so I learned a lot regarding the different types of cars and what trains use what particular cars. The different paint jobs on your locomotives is cool too to see the varieties. Nice job explaining everything. Too cool man 😀🚂

[@rj.trains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tomrogers5516]

Thanks for this very interesting and informative review of what's new in Amtrak couches. These new Viewliners and Superlines sound pretty dear in price right now, so I hope that another model maker will make a great set at a reasonable price soon. Your background details are always worth noting for future reference, RJ, so thanks for your work behind the scene.

[@rj.trains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jameslanders4819]

Great video RJ. I really like your description and history of the amfleet cars. I took a roomette trip on the Cardinal from Chicago to Washington last year and loved it. And a couple years ago I drove to harpers ferry on my way to york train show. It's a great town to visit.

[@rj.trains]

glad to hear you were able to enjoy the Cardinal, A lot more Harpers Ferry talk will be coming to my future videos.

[@kevinsmith5288]

While I have several GGD sets, I recently purchased the new Lionel Amtrak Phase 1 E8s, to go with my 21-inch K Line and Atlas Heritage fleet cars. You have a great looking layout!

[@rj.trains]

I thought about purchasing those Lionel E8s but I am holding out for the black legacy ones from the previous run. Thank you for the kind words!

[@awp2902]

It's rj, of course. He's gonna go broke buying amtrak 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Steven_Williams]

Great video and backstory. " Big ups 👍 from Chicago!"

[@rj.trains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ARMYVETT]

I ENJOYED THE VID ESPECIALLY THE COMMENTARY. I LIVE IN NY AND NEVER RODE ON THE ACELA ALTHO I'VE SEEN IT EVERYDAY AT PENN STATION. I WRKD FOR VERIZON AND HAD A ROOM ON TRACK 18. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. 🙂

[@rj.trains]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Shaken_AND_Stirred]

Excellent video on the explanation about Amtrak’s cars. I did not know this about the different sizes, even though I always wondered why they are different. Pleasant to say, I have ridden on all of them, first starting in 1998. Wow! $400 a car! That’s amazing, but I’m with you; when it comes to a hobby such as model railroading, if one is passionate about it, I say it’s worth it. And most likely (in some cases) it will all appreciate in value. I know that is true in one of my Overland Models that I have. My wife and I board Amtrak in downtown Houston. It has to be one of the worst stations in the world, considering that Houston many, many decades ago had two first class stations. Minute Maid Park (where the Astros play) is the second majestic station that Houston had, but wasn’t used when I started working in downtown Houston in 1990. However, it was used for the freight lines to back their business trains into, (prior to the stadium being built) but the station itself had been abandoned for decades. Houston destroyed the majority of its historical heritage starting in the 1960’s - 1970’s, but that’s another story. Great video, thank you, Sir!

[@rj.trains]

Thank you very much! Hopefully one day Houston has more than 6 trains a week and a proper station.

[@williamkolina3988]

Great purchase Not everyone has Golden gate cars.

[@rj.trains]

Thank you!

[@dennisford5913]

RJ, Great video on Amtrak, your new Amtrak cars are beautiful. I am also an Amtrak fan, however my riding experience on Amtrak is limited compared to yourself. Do you have any plans to do a trip on Brightline in Florida? We have a new Brightline Highspeed Rail being built between Vegas and LA; and can't wait to try it out once completed. Also planning a trip on the Empire builder from Seattle to Chicago and back.

[@rj.trains]

I actually got the opportunity to ride Brightline in Florida back in January. It was alright. I am excited for when Amtrak can get their own equipment like that.

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice! They are fine looking cars, for sure and the interior detail is quite good. They look real good running on your layout. They are huge, though. A full-sized passenger train would take-up a good stretch on any layout. Either way, I hope that you learned to always take a sleeper on long-distance train trips. I prefer the Viewliner sleepers over the Superliners. They have a tad more room and they have a lavatory in each roomette. An excellent video, as always.

[@rj.trains]

Yes, I learned the lesson to always take sleeper. I have spent two nights in coach on Amtrak and that is more than enough. I agree, Viewliner II sleepers are my favorite.

[@lawnmowermanTX]

I thought it was HO scale but it’s for O scale.. HO scale is more popular but Lionel three rails began in the 1930’s? I’m not sure? My Granddad had an ancient wind up spring powered train set. Wind up key, a steam locomotive, box car, tank car and caboose.

[@rj.trains]

Yes it is O Scale. HO is more popular but Lionel was first invented in 1900.

[@davevan8864]

I have a set of Williams Superliner cars. I little short maybe but LOTS cheaper. I bought mine because I ride the SWC to LA often. I also ride the Cardinal and while most times it is a short train it can grow much bigger if needed. thx

[@rj.trains]

Very cool!

[@Craiggg12345]

Got mine couple weeks ago. Got the phase 3 superliners

[@rj.trains]

Phase III looks awesome, enjoy!

[@buildintotrains]

If you live in the DC area, I'd love to give you a flight from Leesburg VA to fly around over Harpers Ferry! I got my PPL this Spring and fly out that way all the time. Let me know if you're interested

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Good to see you again RJ! I don't know much about Golden Gate Depot but I DO know they're absolutely top-of-the-line. AND with limited-run production the demand's always high for hobbyists who can afford them. I understand they hold their value quite well so you've most likely got a good long-term investment with those cars. And don't passenger cars look great with the room lights off? A passenger train in the night always has an air of mystery about it. Fun video as always, and thanks for posting!

[@rj.trains]

Thank you Wayne!

[@CityOfGravella]

Living close to the Northeast Corridor has also influenced my collection as it’s mostly Amtrak and commuter rail. And my subway system is based on the Washington Metro. I’ve got videos on KZbin if you’re interested in them.

[@rj.trains]

Just checked it out and I am so insanely jealous of your ho scale WMATA system. I lived in DC for 6 years I would kill for an O scale version of those models

[@buecomet831]

Honestly if Lionel, MTH and Atlas do make those cars, be sure I will def hop on the amtrak hype.

[@johnathanfuell6820]

Isn't that the battle cry for ALL us model railroaders... "I just spent TOO MUCH Money on Something STUPID...!"😅😅😅 (AND it probably doesn't even fit with my era or geographic area🤦‍♂️)

[@rj.trains]

You're exactly right, that saying can but used anything related to buying model trains haha

[@DelHudson1]

Love it

[@rj.trains]

Thank you!

[@Craiggg12345]

Scott is doing a second run.

[@rj.trains]

Yep! I have another Superliner Sleeper on order

[@meanmetalmike666]

Should try to do a Amtrak Broadway Limited

[@paulw.woodring7304]

Amtrak's "Broadway Ltd." ended in 1995, so you're looking at modeling a train that was mostly equipped with Heritage Fleet cars up to the end of service, and would also have had mostly F40PH locomotives for power, all in no newer than Phase III paint, but also going back to the beginning if you wanted to portray Phases I and II, as well as EMD E units and SDP40Fs. It also carried quite a few MHC head-end cars near the end, and it was a long train, combined with a Washington section, that later became the separate Capitol Ltd. in 1986. I have to explain that further, up until 1983 it was a section of the Broadway that combined with the NY section at Harrisburg, then ran as "The Capitol Ltd." separately from DC to Pittsburgh after '83, which is when they added the dome cars (9400 series Budd slab-sided, ex-NP dome coaches - good luck finding those in any scale, I'm looking in HO). You could selectively represent a sampling of the types of cars on it to make it shorter, but at times it was an 18 car train with up to three locomotives. It would look great on a club modular layout.

[@michaellindsey8769]

Nice trains

[@rj.trains]

Thank you very much!

[@doubleutubefan5]

I got four of them. $1,600... But you know what worth every penny and I want more now. I'm ashamed I didn't get more. I want the full set and I don't know if they're going to do another run or not

[@rj.trains]

Well they are doing another run of Superliners later this year, I ordered one more sleeper.

[@doubleutubefan5]

@@rj.trains really I didn't hear about this cuz I asked and they put me on a standby

[@raymondleggs5508]

Wait till he sees the Price of a Marklin Gauge 1 Big boy or a KM-1 BR-01 or a Micro-metakit Wehrmacht loco. 💸

[@rj.trains]

Oh I know, I have started looking at German O Gauge locomotives for my collection and it is insane, I cannot even imagine what Gauge 1 is like

[@remsterrailroading2679]

From someone who lives in California I’ve got the Amtrak California, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Amtrak Southwest Chief, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder. I’ve also been on and seen the Amtrak Cascade trains too. I’ve seen a few east coast Amtrak trains and maybe the auto train 1 time but I run quite a bit of Amtrak in N-Scale. The manufacturers need to hurry up and make the Amtrak California, Pacific Surfliner and Cascade trains in N-Scale already! They’ve only done very few locomotives but no cars/trains sets! I’ve got the Auto train, a couple east coast trains, Midwest one and the coast starlight! I really want the Pacific Surfliner and cascade trains in N-Scale and been telling them nonstop to do it but no one has! 😭😭 P.S. nice wine train picture in the background. I work there

[@rj.trains]

Well at least N Scale is getting ALC42s, we are still waiting for them in O Gauge!

[@remsterrailroading2679]

@@rj.trains true but the Pacific Surfliner and the cascade trains are the ones we really want in N-Scale because there’s a huge demand for them and they’re missing out on a huge opportunity!

[@remsterrailroading2679]

@@rj.trains that’s true! I’m surprised they’re not doing a lot of Amtrak stuff in O-Gauge which they should. GUESS WHAT?! One of my prayers has been answered! I went to my hobby store this past Friday and found out KATO is doing the California Pacific Surfliner in N-Scale!! 🥳🤩🤩🥳 I was so happy and told them to call me right away once they hear more about it. They said KATO might have it by December 2024!

[@annaparker9722]

At the end of your video, the night time shot, shows proper modelling of Amtrack. I didn't see many passengers in the cars, thus making appropriate for a Government subsidized Rail. Our expected waste. If it weren't for my distaste of Amtrack, you had a nice set-up just the same. I like passenger cars, too bad it has gotten too be a far gone !luxury I. The last many decades. Keep it up, we stil! Like our trains.

[@rj.trains]

I would say that it isn’t an actual representation of an Amtrak train considering Amtrak is serving records numbers of passengers nationwide, and they expect for the train operations to be profitable by 2027. Thank goodness the government doesn’t subsidize privately owned airlines… oh wait…

[@cathrynm]

Lionel should make more Amtrak. I think younger people would have more interest in Amtrak, just because that's what they may have actually ridden on.

[@rj.trains]

Lionel is trying to. They made Amfleets recently, but at a ridiculous price with no cafe car. They bought the railking genesis tooling, which looks ridiculous, only costs $100 less than the Atlas Premier Line one, and sold terribly. The Acela didn't sell well. I have a hard time believing Lionel would make the necessary investment to produce actual Amtrak equipment after their last three products flopping.

[@greyfoxtrains3244]

It is sad that Lionel hasn’t made a better effort at this. The prices Lionel has been charging lately has been, to say the least, high. They are far exceeding inflation rates, but that’s another story for another time. If Lionel could come out with a good Superliner set that is reasonable in price ($250-$300) when compared to Golden Gate Depot, they might have a hit. Now, of course, they would need modern power to pull these cars and they don’t have a scale Genesis. Charger maybe? We could use a new diesel Legacy for the 2025 catalog.😊

[@kevinbatzle1966]

What about making the ACS 64 sprinter engine in o scale

[@rj.trains]

I would love that, doubt it will ever happen but it is nice to have hope

[@RailRide]

Nobody's announced O scale Sprinters yet. But 3rd Rail/GGD did announce a Siemens Charger diesel in a number of (prototypical) paint schemes. They're taking reservations now. TMCC with sound, about $800 each.

[@kevinbatzle1966]

@RailRide Atlas an mth are alot better in prices then lionel an third rail

[@CedarLakeRailfanner]

Im just waiting for walthers or kato to make an Ho scale viewliner because older ones cost a fortune

[@rj.trains]

Yea I wish I did HO so when they are made I could actually buy a real train's worth of viewliners haha

[@CedarLakeRailfanner]

@@rj.trains yeah

[@joeyBirskovich]

are they in still use? the Amtrak Viewliners

[@rj.trains]

Yes they are.

[@keithjackson9141]

I just purchased three and I have Kline 21 Amtrak cars

[@rj.trains]

How do they look together?

[@keithjackson9141]

@@rj.trains they haven’t arrived yet in the mail to me now

[@keithjackson9141]

Did you see my Kline Amtrak 21 inch cars on KZbin Illinois Central Fan

[@RailRide]

I bought five Viewliners in the first run (two sleepers, a baggage, crew dorm, and diner). Still a big spend at $300 each (and $120 shipping) Like you, I'll use the MTH amfleets in conjunction with them to recreate the _Pennsylvanian_ (I'll be on it for Independence Day), as well as the _Crescent_ , which I've rode NYC-Atlanta and back a number of times. Didn't order any Superliners, as I've got a whole mess of MTH, K-Line and Lionel ones during my attempt to re-create the Auto-Train. ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4K3nqSaorN3q5osi=atHWCXAEA1V_yxqQ ) This last one now has MTH power, and enough additional cars since the linked video to place 15 Superliners and 21 autoracks in it...if I had the space. Atlas O has the Premier MTH Superliners, as well as the Amfleets. What MTH still has in its possession is the RailKing versions of both, since when Lionel bought the RK Genesis tooling, I believe they use their own 18" Amfleets with it. Prototype note: I'd be hard pressed to call Superliner sleepers "traditional" American sleeper cars...that honor would go to the Heritage Fleet sleepers, which the first run of Viewliner sleepers replaced. Another height restriction on the NEC is the Baltimore tunnels. Capitol Limited and Auto-Train are the only Superliner trains that touch the east coast.

[@rj.trains]

Yes I realized afterwards that I misspoke when I called the Superliners the traditional American sleeper car, but then again it has been the default Amtrak sleeper car design for over 40 years now.

[@gloomed8888]

Don't most superliner trains run with two engines?

[@rj.trains]

Most do but the Capitol Limited usually only runs with one locomotive

[@frankbruno9499]

It's OK,it's an investment.That's what I told my X wives. Luckily I still have my trains.

[@Loso1131]

Would you consider working for a railroad?

[@rj.trains]

Maybe. It might be cool

[@Loso1131]

@@rj.trains apply for Amtrak you’ll get hired I’m out of DC

[@raymondleggs5508]

Expensive express

[@mslickstrains]

Don’t let my mom see this video

[@rj.trains]

Same