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Available HO Amtrak Models
There are many models available in HO scale that bear Amtrak paint schemes; however, many of them are not correct models of real Amtrak equipment. This list will attempt to document all of the available plastic models that are correct, or close, for Amtrak. If you have any questions about modeling Amtrak, feel free to email me.
The new Acela Express is available as a partial trainset, with track and power pack, from Bachmann Spectrum. The locomotives and cars are also available as separate pieces. This model is simply superb, and is fantastic straight out of the box. It sets a new standard for Amtrak models, one that I hope will be met by other manufacturers!
Some of the models have anumber next to them in sub-script. See below the tables for the corresponding notes.
Locomotives
Passenger Cars
Notes
1 - The F40PH as offered by Walthers is a late-run (Phase 2 and 3) F40, representing Amtrak nos. 230-415 with reasonable accuracy. For a model of no. 329-400, Q-type radiator fans should be installed. Walthers offers this unit in Phase II paint, but the roadnumbers offered represent Phase 2 F40s. Thus, they should have the rearmost (fourth) rib on the rear sides removed. I recommend studying a photo of the engine you are modeling to determine exactly which details it has. Most F40s have Prime-type air conditioners on the cab roof in place of the molded plate. Another note: While the truck spacing on this model is correct, the chassis is mounted about a scale foot too far forward. The front truck should be centered under the cab steps.
2 - Life-Like's F40 is very toylike and should only be purchased for a kitbash. It has a decent body shell, save for some concessions to make it more toylike, and it represents an early (Phase I) F40PH, nos. 200-229. If a new chassis is made, and the body shell's flaws are corrected, a very nice model can be made.
3 - Walthers' model is really a B40-8WH, a freight locomotive. However, the differences are negligible and this is a very good model.
4 - Bachmann's representation of the Phase III paint scheme is inaccurate. The one good thing about this model, as compared to the Walthers version, is that the shape of its body and the style of its upper carbody vents (found in pairs near the ends) is correct. An excellent model could be made by combining a Bachmann shell with a Walthers underframe and window glazing, followed by a new paint job.
5 - Con-Cor's somewhat crude model of a 10/6 has only one favorable detail: the upper-side fluting. Some of Amtrak's 10/6s have a smooth letterboard area, while others have fluting. The Con-Cor model represents the latter, but has too many windows on the left side. Three of the six aisle windows need to be plugged.
6 - Walthers' Heritage coach will represent an ex-Santa Fe style. Amtrak does not have very many of this type of coach, so don't confuse it with a similar ex-Pennsy design that is used in the Northeast.
7 - American Model Builders' coach kit contains only the sides, and represents an ex-Union Pacific smoothside design. Eastern Car Works' no. 1200 car core kit is necessary to finish this car.
8 - Brass Car Sides' dining car represents an ex-Northern Pacific car in Amtrak's 8550-series. The brass sides are designed to be overlaid on a Rivarossi car body, or you can construct a frame yourself.
9 - The ex-Great Northern sides from Brass Car sides represent Amtrak's 9300-series lounges. However, the door on the side must be filled in/removed. The stock Bachmann model that these sides must be overlaid on represents an ex-Santa Fe car type that was used in Auto Train service.
10 - The ex-UP baggage car represented by this kit is just one of the many types of Amtrak baggage cars. Make sure you find a matching prototype car before selecting a roadnumber. This kit requires the Eastern Car Works no. 1200 car core kit.
11 - The Athearn baggage car is free-lanced, but overall it comes reasonably close to one type of Amtrak baggage. However, Athearn's paint is not correct. See my article for how to kitbash this car into a close facsimile of an Amtrak baggage.
12 - Con-Cor's smooth-side baggage car is almost a dead ringer for one type of Amtrak baggage - the 1000-series. All that really needs to be added are some vents on the roof and a new pair of trucks.
13 - Rivarossi's smooth-side baggage car, which was at one time marketed by AHM and then IHC, is supposedly close to an ex-UP type of car. However, I cannot confirm this.
14 - The Model Power baggage car, which I don't know a whole lot about, appears to be a generic Budd car. It seems close to some types of Amtrak baggages, and could probably also be modified following my article.
