New Tooling for older Spectrum Heavyweights?

[Rickenbacker 325]

At the last train show (1-7) I pickup up a six pack of the Spectrum series PRR heavyweights and I think they look great with my Bachmann 1361. However, when I saw that Trainworld had a sale on GG1's with sound for $89.99, I just had to jump on it. After watching the demo video of it on Bachmann's Youtube channel, I noticed that the announcer stated that the GG1's were running with newly tooled heavyweights with 4 and 6 wheeled axes per the prototype. But the Spectrum ones I have are just that. So I guess my question is, is this updated tooling or completely brand new tooling? The heavyweights in the video look identical to the ones I already have. I looked on the webstore and see that there are now sleepers that I do not have in PRR.

Another question then lies. If these are a brand new run of the heavyweights, will the colors match the previous run of the older Spectrum's? I would like to get them to complete the set and I am hoping they will match.

Thanks.

[J3a-614]

I can't say for certain if the paint colors will be a perfect match; it's possible something might be a bit different.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, though, as long as the colors were close.  It would not be unusual to see different shades in the real world, even in the old days, due to differences in weathering, age or fading, and even paint batches.  For some reason this seems to have been more noticeable on the PRR to boot!

So, to repeat, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

http://bcoolidge.com/ANG%20Pix/ANG-PRR-Sleeper-Mineral-Brook_11_28_64edited.jpg

http://bcoolidge.com/ANG%20Pix/ANG-PRR-Sleeper-Lancaster-County-Lightweight-Diner_11_28_64.jpg

Check out in particular the differences between the B-unit in the foreground and the two passenger cars behind it!

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/574755/

http://www.railpictures.net/photo/424402/

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/09/7a/66/097a665ba12c08d6af89211da8b61135--train-room-pennsylvania-railroad.jpg

[Len]

If you put the .jpg URL's between [ img ] [ /img ] tags, without the spaces, the pictures will show up directly in your posts. You have to right click on the "railpictures.net" pics and select "Inspect Element", then search for "PRR" to find the the actual .jpg URL.

Then you can make the pics show up in your posts like this:

I can't say for certain if the paint colors will be a perfect match; it's possible something might be a bit different.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, though, as long as the colors were close.  It would not be unusual to see different shades in the real world, even in the old days, due to differences in weathering, age or fading, and even paint batches.  For some reason this seems to have been more noticeable on the PRR to boot!

So, to repeat, I wouldn't worry too much about it.





Check out in particular the differences between the B-unit in the foreground and the two passenger cars behind it!

Len

[Rickenbacker 325]

Still wondering if they are updated tooling or completely brand new so they match. Want to get them before the sale ends next week.

[J3a-614]

Was looking more closely at the product photos with the listings, and one thing that seems different in "new tooling" is that like the steam engines, the detail has been simplified.  What used to be free-standing wire grabs have been replaced by molded on ridges, something we wanted to get away from.

[Rickenbacker 325]

Less detail for almost double/triple the price of the spectrum ones? Looks like I will pass and just use the 6 pack I got for $100. 2 for $100 is crazy.

[Bucksco]

The newer heavyweight coach car is later tooling that was done to go along with the Doodlebugs. It features separate handrails upgraded couplers and LED lighting. The Pullman car is also upgraded. I suspect that the colors should be very close since the colors are specified from previous art work. As far as cost is concerned you need to take into consideration that the "Sets" of cars you are referring to were issued over 10 years ago and prices on everything (including model trains) have increased since then. Hope this helps.