FVM Standard Cab GP60s - November 2016 Announcement

[James Costello]

Posted to the FVM Facebook page over the weekend:

Norfolk Southern as delivered in three road numbers plus the Operation Lifesaver unit. These locos have the late dynamic brakes, twin firecraker antennas and ditch light casting on both ends (non illuminated).

Cotton Belt units with three road numbers. These locos use the early rounded dynamic brakes, long blower duct with appropriate handrails, flush mount brakewheels and numerous top side details (antenna, air conditioner and beacon (non illuminated).

Each of these locos have a MSRP of $130.00 and in most cases are limited to under 100 units per road number (a few more on the Op Lifesaver unit).

Nice to the see the A/C conduit on the roof of these:

[Leggy]

Non illuminated ditchlights is a step backwards.

[Scottl]

CN GEVOs    Between the new run of Kato, that is five new numbers of this model coming to market.  Pretty sure the GEVOs will have ditchlights.

[wmcbride]

Non illuminated ditchlights is a step backwards.

Well, the initial run of GP60Ms were this way also. 

Actually, the ditch lights were illuminated but so poorly they might be mistaken for being not lighted.

That said, they were beautiful models and ran very well. Jim Reising has some useful posts about brightening up the dim ditchlights with SMDs.

[phil55]

I agree. No highlights is a bummer.

[phil55]

I meant ditch lights. Damn spellcheck!

[jagged ben]

Sweet!  One SSW for me   

[jagged ben]

Non illuminated ditchlights is a step backwards.

True, but consider that except for the Kato 'mid production' SD40-2 no one has produced a standard cab model in N scale with ditchlights. 

[Philip H]

True, but consider that except for the Kato 'mid production' SD40-2 no one has produced a standard cab model in N scale with ditchlights.

And even there they are just light tubes.

[cjm413]

Non illuminated ditchlights is a step backwards.

Given that a substantial number of GP60's were built without ditchlights, I'd consider them to be more of a "road/era-specific detail" rather than a standard, but non-functional component on any given GP60.

Between the Life-Like GP60, Atlas SD60, Atlas B40-8, or any other N scale locomotive built around the same timeframe with or without ditchlights, I'm unaware of any manufacturers that are a step "ahead" of FVM by offering operational ditchlights as road/era-specific details.

[bnsfdash8]

Even with the non functioning ditch lights, I usually get rid of the light pipes and replaces with SMDs anways, I'll still be buying the NS ones. I see a future GP59 builds using these as well.