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Yes, I agree, I should build it myself if I want it. However, since I've only advanced to deforming primitives in 3D Canvas that would be a long time. However, since they are essentially the same shape as the Amfleet cars, it shouldn't be that much of a task. And now that NALW has released the cab control car in their MTBA sets, it wouldn't require breaking new ground. These cars were fixtures out here in California for years on the San Diegan's and I believe were used in the Mid West and the East.I'm posting a URL for the work a guy did on an HO Bachmann Amfleet car to get the conversion. Lots of nice details. Can somebody tell me if these cars had cut outs on the roofs for pans? The model shows them at the rear on a platform. <www.trainweb.org/asamtrak911/model/cabcar.html> Here's a URL for the roster of cab control cars with a good front shot. <www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/locoshots/locoshots.html>
Actually, I built that model from a Bachmann Metroliner car - essentially following the process Amtrak used to rebuild them. There were no cutouts on the roof; there were several insulators the pantograph sat on top of. That model is pretty accurate to the prototype, and I included some photos of an unmodified Metroliner model for comparison.I too am just getting started in Gmax, and though I sure would like to build a replacement Amfleet (and other similar cars, such as the Metroliner/Cab Car and SPV-2000), it'll be a long time before I'm that good with 3D modeling. Also, more than likely someone will release an excellent one right about the time I get started. But if someone out there with more experience is working on such a project, I'd be glad to give advice for details and things, because I've studied the prototypes a lot.Alex Stroshane Amtrak Prototype & Model Photos, Train Gifs, and more! http://www.trainweb.org/asamtrak911
When push-pull operations showed up on the SP's Coast Line they were pretty exotic for this California boy. The cab cars would pull in to Santa Barbara bell ringing, "whistling freely, watching for men and equipment" as the dispatchers say and the locomotive's plant would be running full throttle to keep the HEP power up. Got this narrow gauge bigot interested in passenger train operations. With the very nice NALW F40's, one heritage baggage, a couple of Amfleet coaches and the Metroliner cab car, you would have a train. The bi-levels are nice but the sewer pipes on wheels were passenger operations for quite a while.Let's hope you're right and somebody takes up the challenge. Really liked the conversion you did. I've had it book marked for quite a while.Mike Woodill
Check out this site! http://lib2.clark.cc.oh.us/Amtrak/amtCONTROL.htmlFrom these shots it looks like some did and some didn't. It's hard to say! I too would like to see these. Especially in there original Metroliner role. These were the first Amtrak trains I rode when I was 9. From NYC to Washington. My father took me for getting good grades in school!
