I see Walthers has announced a second release of their new HO Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 diesel switcher model. They will do two road numbers, apparently both in red-orange/white - one is SLSF 270 per their web page. Don't know the other number. I hope they get the shade of red-orange correct this time. A hint to Walthers - somebody call Atlas and ask for advice. This is an entirely new model - not the H10-44 they released about ten years ago (which was not bad!). The first release of this new model is available about now - since we no longer have a decent hobby shop here in StL, I have not seen any of them yet. The second release, including the two Frisco's, will show up in early 2009. Walthers catalog numbers for the two new SLSF FM's are 920-47804 and 920-47805. There will also be the same two with sound. Hope they get the sewing machine sound the F-M's made correct! I remember well hearing a tape Doug Hughes played at the Memphis FMIG meeting long ago (1981?) with one of the Tulsa F-M's recorded. Sounded like a big version of my wife's Singer! It is very encouraging that the manufacturers continue to release Frisco models. I would prefer, however, that this be in black/yellow, but so be it. I'll probably get one to go along with the older Walthers F-M I have (undec, still in the box). I have suggested to Atlas that they do their ALCo S-2 in the Frisco delivery b/y color scheme. I assume they are happy with the strong sale of their several recent Frisco models. Ken
I have viewed the paint diagram used for the Walters H10-44 and it is very close to the mandarin orange used by Atlas. It appears to be a shade darker than the Atlas orange but not discernably different. If the model matches the paint diagram, I think Frisco fans will be hard pressed to see a difference and will be quite happy. The road numbers on the paint diagram are 270, 273, 274 and 279. Not sure which ones are sound equipped and which are not. I talked with Brandt May, a retired SLSF employee, who (worked in Tulsa, Memphis and Birmingham) indicated that the H10-44s were very unreliable and were a maintenance nightmare. If I recall correctly, the FMs were restricted to the Tulsa Terminal due do their maintenance issues. I don't even model Tulsa but I am going to get one, maybe two. Ship IT on the Frisco! Rick
Just found the url at http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-40805 The color on this side elevation drawing is really close to the Atlas orange on the B30-7s and the GP38s. Ship IT on the Frisco! Rick
FYI ..... There is an excellent review of the new HO Walthers Fairbanks-Morse H44-1000 switcher model in the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical society's excellent on-line publication "The Keystone Modeler". See the September, 2008 issue, Number 62. The H10-44 model reviewed is a PRR version, of course. The announced SLSF versions should be available in February, 2009 per Walthers. See http://www.prrths.com Click on "National Society" and look for "The Keystone Modeler" link. The Keystone Modeler is a terrific publication (on-line only), and is by far my personal favorite of all the railroad historical stuff I get. It is well worth reading even for those who are not fans of "The Standard Railroad of the World". PRR locomotives were seen in half the US, and their freight, passenger and express cars roamed the entire country. Ken
As has been the recent practice on this forum, would someone post a review of this model as soon as they get one. Areas of interest to me and I hope others would include: (1) Color of Orange as compared to what has become the standard (Atlas) (2) Accuracy of detail including handrails, fans, add-on parts, etc. (3) Running characteristics (4) Sound quality of units equipped with such I hope everyone agrees that all of us are benefitting from everyone sharing thier evaluations of products as they become released. With the unfortunate continuing demise of local hobby shops it becomes more and more important for all of us to be good eyes and ears (sound) for each other. Several of us are working closely with manufacturers to bring out better and more accurately detailed models and I for one feel it is starting to reap positive benefits. Respectively submitted: Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
FYI, I've read a review of the new Walthers H10-44 which noted that it is very light in weight, which could affect its pulling tractive ability. Don't know for sure - haven't seen one in person. This is opposed to the previous Walthers H10-44 of 10-15 years ago, which weighs a ton and will pull your automobile out of the garage! I have one of the new ones on order with my on-line "pusher". I'll post some impressions when it shows up. Ken ps - It's great seeing all these Frisco locomotive models coming along!
There's a man in my train club who has worked for the Frisco in Springfield, MO and is currently working for BNSF in Ft. Worth, TX. He and I were conversating about the very orange that we Frisco modelers are so picky about. He said that if you get down to the nitty-gritty, as long as they don't make it TOO red, that a locomotive at any given time was almost any shade of orange. Some weathering may be needed to make it correct, though.
That has seemed to be pretty much the sentiment of most modelers in recent years. Everything faded in the sun and if it was red it tended to go pinkish which is NOT good for Frisco modelers. Orange just seems to fade a lighter shade of orange. Some think the GE Units looked lighter or faded faster than the EMD ones. I really can't attest to the FM ones as I never saw one in person. It might be important to note that all of them (FM and for that matter ALCO units that were repainted were done by the Frisco and not delivered in O&W new). Not sure that that even matters. Recent concensus has been that Atlas has the acceptable standard as far as the color goes. This does not include the GP7 as it was too red for most of us. Hope this helps! Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
A few of points to add to Bob's excellent post above: - I agree the recent Atlas red/orange color, on their HO GP38, B30-7, MP15 and GP38-2 models, is the best I have seen, to my eye at least, for the correct shade the Frisco used ..... when new, fairly new, and clean. - I also think the early Athearn (GP38-2, SD40-2, SW1500 pre-Horizion Athearns) were darn good, close to the Atlas color. The post-Horizion Athearn's are a shade too red to my eye. - The other early attempts ..... AHM GP18, Atlas GP7, Walthers H10-44, Walthers GP15-1, Walthers bay window caboose, etc, etc, were all way too red. - As the Frisco o/w units weathered and got dirty, all sorts of shades of lighter, dirty, chalky red/orange appeared. The wash rack detergents also left a film after a few years. - I'm not sure the same paint system and color was uniformly applied to the units when new, or when repainted to o/w by the Frisco. For example, I recall looking at the brand new, as delivered GP40-2's at Lindenwood and thinking they were "way too red"! - The GE's did appear to be a bit lighter. Don't know if this was because of a different system used by GE, or because the early 4-cycle FDL U-boats ran a bit "dirtyer" than the EMD, and hence the color weathered heavier. - As we discussed in earlier posts, the commercialy available shades of Frisco Red/Orange, or Chevy Engine Block Red, are fine. Or, make up your own blend to suit your eye. Just don't lose the mix recipe like I did! Ken
For those of you that own one (I assume about everyone does or they probably should) look on page 98 (bottom photo) and then on the two photos on page 99 and compare the color and you will see what Ken is referring to. Also, how the color seemed to fade (or appear to) somewhat when the locomotives got dirty and grimy. Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
Woops, I was referencing Marre's "Frisco in Color" book in the previous post. Sorry about that! Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
Ken: Walther's catalog says March 4th. They show the non-sound ones as #270 and #273 and the sound ones as #274 and #279. Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
Has anyone received one of the Walthers HO Frisco FM H10-44's yet? My on-line "pusher" has notified me that the one I ordered is packed and ready to ship. It's a bit more costly than I expected. Will post some comments after it arrives. If any others have seen one, let us know what you think. Crossing my fingers that the red/orange is a correct shade! Still, I'd far prefer this thing be in b/y. Now, need to get some $$ from somewhere. Ken
Ken, I heard from a very reliable source that Walthers will produce a black/yellow H10-44 but I do not have a date. Frisco Faster Freight! Rick
Hmmm - If your source is correct, will likely be six months, nine months, or a year before Walthers does a b/y Frisco H10-44, if ever. Wonder if I ought to pass on the o/w unit and wait it out? Gotta make a decision! My "pusher" is asking for his money. I'll probably go ahead and get the o/w, order a b/y when available, and decide if I want to keep the o/w after I receive it. Ken
MAN-OH-MAN ... I had to see what all the talk was about on this thread, so I looked at the Walthers website. HOLY H10-44 BATMAN ! $279 for an HO diesel? I can see that the world has passed me by. Sorry, I was just shocked .. that used to buy a Brass O Scale Diesel. Maybe I better crawl back into my hole for another 30 years.
It's not that bad, but expensive none-the-less. My cost for a non-sound equipped (I've not allowed myself to venture into sound, I spend enough as it is) H10-44 will be $140 if I go ahead, which includes shipping and insurance. Still, that is pretty expensive for a piece of plastic from Walthers, even if it is painted in Frisco colors! On the other hand, the detail will likely be much better than a brass H10-44, and it will run better. Ken
I received word today that my Walthers SLSF H10-44 has shipped. We'll see what we get. For $140 (includes s/h), I sure hope Walthers got the red/orange close to correct! Has anyone else received the new Walthers Frisco H10-44 yet? Ken
