F3 Face-off: IM vs. Kato

I can't wait for IM to release a FP7 for my WP Zephyr. I have a set of Kato F3s, but may use a IM F3B with an FP7 if it's available, as the WP used to do.
Thanks, for the report, Verne!

 

BTW, Don, thanks for another view of those beautiful WP FTs! They look AWESOME!

 

Don:

Those FT's look great. You did an outstanding job on those FT's.


Stay cool and run steam......

 

Secret Weapon:

What is the website for Eastern Classic?

Thanks...

Stay cool and run steam........

 

It's
ECMR1@aol.com
Email him to get on his mailing list. I picked up 2 sets in Erie for a ABBA consist.

[ September 03, 2005, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: SecretWeapon ]

 

Thanks for the very objective comparison Verne. A few weeks ago I picked up a pair of the IM's from Wig wag and they look and run very nice. Of course, I still run my 1st generation Warbonnett Kato F3's from the 1980's and they do run well after all those years, albeit not quite as nice is the IM's. The one thing I do appreciate about the Kato's is the availability of parts. I've only had to replace one part on the 1st gen F3's and that was a motor, so it was critical.

 

This brings up another question about "competing" F units. A number of years ago, I purchased an ABBA set of Bachmann Plus F7's and painted/decorated them myself. I really like the way they turned out, but they are shelf queens since 3 of the 4 motors went over the hill.

I've repowered them a couple of different ways, but am not satisfied with the way the repowering jobs turned out. I've thought about picking up some Spectrum F7's for another repower job, but would like to hear from someone who may have a set of Spectrum F7's before I sink the money into another venture.

[ September 04, 2005, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Big Snooze ]

 

I use Life Like GP20s. There are several on the forum who have repowered Bachmann F7s with LL GP20s; they use different techniques.

http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/004526.html?#000000
http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/005372/p/2.html?#000022

 

Thanks Flash. I've got 3 GP20's sitting around with nothing to do. I had tried using some Microtrains body-mounted couplers with the GP20 mechs, but there was too much space between locos. I'll try Pete's method with the body-mounted Unimates and see how that goes.

Thanks for the links.

 

Try some MT Z scale couplers.


Stay cool and run steam......

 

They're here, they're nice, really nice and I'm happy. I did not get to hook them up to a train but I test ran them. The lights are bright/noticable even at the slowest speed and they're relatively quiet.