 |
 |
F40PH Diesel Locomotive
Amtrak
No. 675 -1978 Release
No. 41-645-05 -1982 Release
Bachmann's Amtrak F40PH was produced for the company's standard line in at least two variations.
The model is introduced in Bachmann's 1978 catalog, but only artist illustrations are used and these only include the
red and silver Santa Fe F40PH. The first time an Amtrak F40PH finds itself pictured in a Bachmann catalog is the 1979
edition and the model is listed as NEW that year, though it was cataloged also the previous year in 1978. Examples examined for
the F40PH wearing the red-nose Amtrak Phase I scheme with the large logo on the side appeared in boxes carrying
the 675 stock number, same as examples decorated with the red and blue bands wrapping around the loco, Amtrak's Phase II scheme.
This is only speculation, but I would suggest that the Phase I Amtrak F40PH came first and may have been replaced as early
as sometime in 1979 with the more typically seen Phase II painted model.
The 1983 price for the model was $22. Following its 1990 appearance in the Bachmann catalog,
the F40PH disappears from the company's standard line and becomes a Spectrum release.
F40PH Diesel
RTA
No. 677 -1979 Release
The Chicago commuter F40PH decorated for that area's Regional Transportation Authority is cataloged
by Bachmann for three years. Following the RTA's removal from the line, the F40PH would survive as an Amtrak only offering
for the duration of its time as a standard line Bachmann model.
F40PH Diesel
Santa Fe
No. 676 -1978 Release
The red and silver passenger warbonnet Santa Fe F40PH enjoys only a short life in the Bachmann product
line. The 1978 retail price for the F40PH is $19.00. The Santa Fe example is the first F40PH presented in
the company's 1978 catalog in the form of an artist illustration, as seen below...
The Rail Blazer returns for a second and
final appearance in Bachmann's 1979 catalog. Though the Santa Fe F40PH is an actual model and not a drawing for '79,
note the front pilot's flat design. The production example F40PH models include a better, more dimensional, looking
snow plow front pilot area. This pre-production Santa Fe F40PH with a flat pilot is pictured below...
Bachmann enhances its F40PH in 1992 and re-releases
the model in the company's Spectrum series. This improved example retailed for $49.95 in 1992 and included dual electric
flashing stobe lights, diode directional headlights, 8-wheel drive with flywheels, separate metal grab irons and handrails.
Bachmann's ads included reference to model's limited edition status and stated the six Amtrak examples would each receive
3500 production exmaples; the Cal Trans, NJ Transit, MBTA, RTA models are listed with 2500 examples each, and no number is
provided for Undecorated Spectrum F40PH models. A review of the 1992 Spectrum F40PH release is found in the May 1992 edition
of Model Railroader.
|
