If the Amtrak California Zephyr includes a Phase 3 F40PH and Phase 2 Passenger cars, why not make a Phase 2 F40PH?
The Amtrak California Zephyr pack for TS2015 is a marvellous add-on for the Donner Pass route and for any Amtrak lover out there. The F40PH was the workhorse of Amtrak in the days before the P40 and P42. Many F40 locos are still out there as museum engines or on display. Amtrak #406 is still working with Amtrak but as an NPCU unit.
The California Zephyr winding through Utah, possibly on Soldier Summit. The California Zephyr is also included with the Soldier Summit route as well.
The CZ pack for TS2015 includes a Phase 3 F40PH engine and one with no driver. The Passenger cars include a Phase 2 and Phase 3 Baggage Car, Heritage Baggage Car, Coach, Diner, Sleeper, Transitional Sleeper, Sightseer, Cafe and Lounge car. If the cars are in Phase 2, why not make a Phase 2 F40?
The Phase 2 livery was applied to Amtrak in 1977 and continued for the next 3 years until Phase 3 was released. One might not see a difference between the two unless looked at very closely.
A Phase 2 F40PH leading two older Phase 1 SDP40F locomotives.
The F40PH Phase 2 re-skin seems perfect for the Cali Zephyr because it can match the existing Phase 2 Cars or can be towed behind the Phase 3 F40PH to show that some still wear Phase 2 liveries.
Should this pack be made, it should include a Phase 2 F40PH with and without a driver in a clean and weathered variant. Even though the Cali Zephyr ran in 1983, this re-skin can work with the F40PH on other trains on other routes with trains like the Southwest Chief, Empire Builder and more.
A perfect example of Phase 2 and Phase 3 working on the Cali Zephyr. Photograph copyright and reproduced courtesy of James R. Griffin
Phase 2 was the less popular Amtrak scheme before Phase 3, but it would look nice to have a re-skin like this for TS2015, especially if some people like making trains that are in certain time periods. Phase 2 was 1977 - 1980. Phase 3 was 1980 - 1993.
I hope this re-skin gets considered for TS2015! Thanks for reading and I enjoy comments below.
Frisco (SLSF-1522)