Hi folks, I just got back into this hobby after a loooong leave. One thing I've noticed is a decisive lack of F units in N-scale. I model the Southern Pacific and I DON'T paint undecororated shells . I've noticed that Atlas hasn't made any F's and the SP's that Kato made where in 1988 (F3's) and 1992 (F7's). I see Bachmann has some but....... Aside from paying $250 for a custom painted set of AB's does anyone have any insight to either Atlas or Kato producing any in the near future? There's a lot of talk about this subject on Atlas' forum but I want to see what ya'll think. Also, other than ebay, where might I go to find SP F units for a reasonable price? Thanks!
First, welcome to the forum! I agree that someone like Atlas or Kato needs to revisit F units. I wouldn't mind seeing a C&NW. I had heard some rumors that Kato might start making them again next year. But I'm not sure if that is someone's wishful thinking. Bachmann has recently redone their F7's in their "Spectrum" line (A&B) - which includes the SP "Black Widow" scheme. I have heard conflicting reviews of this loco, so it would be best if you searched through prior threads as I'm sure that it has been discussed before.
Hi guys, I can not resist to add a pic of my Southern Pacific F7 - an old LifeLike - that I got for about $50 at my hobby dealer. It runs smooth and with low noise when I use the TECH II power pack. Here it´s moving some cars in front of the newbuild tower at the West End Hump yard ----------- Helge SR&WF NARA member #5
Hey Helgek, nice unit! While Kato would (and has) certainly make a nice F unit, LifeLike makes them nice AND affordable.
F's are just on the horizon - MT and IM are near to the release of the FT's and have said that they will look at other F models if these are successful. Model Power (gasp!) has an FP7 just around the corner - supposed to be a modellers quality unit. Kato is way overdue for a rerun of their F's. Don't forget the Trix units - while a dated design, they can be found relatively cheap in LHS old stock and ebay. and weren't bad units at all for their day. avoid the old Atlas/Roco ones from the 70's - pieces of junk. [ 09 May 2002, 11:27: Message edited by: ajb ]
Hi All, I've seen ads in N Scale Railroading mag for a company named North West Short Line. They advertise motors for N scale locos but I could only find HOn3, HO, On3, & O on their web site. Has anyone used any of their products for N and what kind of success did you have? If the Bachmann F7 is noisy or lacks pulling power, I thought this might be a good solution. Any thoughts?
Kato is overdue on LOT of re-runs... Namely early SD40-2's in BN, and F3/7's in GN, NP lowey, and CB&Q to pull my transcons.... Nchooch, are you watching??
I too am awaiting some F units. I have never seen an N scale F unit in the Lowey scheme, but if someone puts them out I'll be sure to buy! I have been waiting for the FT units for quite some time, and I hope they show in NP livery. Never had an F3 but I hope to see those available before I die. I did paint a couple Kato F7's in Raymond Lowey Green a couple years ago. NP F7 in Lowey Green The photo is 800x600 jpg [ 12 May 2002, 17:15: Message edited by: pray59 ]
Has there been anyone outside of custom painters that has ever done NP F units in N? Either passenger or freight schemes? I know there were the Rapido FP's many years ago. Supposedly, the I-M FT's will include NP in their second release. BoxcabE50
Incredible job, Rob! I am in process of doing a GN Great Dome conversion w/ the Brass Car Sides parts. Mark Jirousek, of NCL fame, just built one, and it is AWESOME! I can almost see those F's pulling my NCL.... Con-Cor or not!
Thanks for the positive comments on my F units guys, I hope to superdetail a pair of GN F units someday soon, but I have too many loco conversions in progress to start on them yet. Boxcab, I have my reservations in for the Model Power FP units in NP, which will be the first available non-custom N scale models painted in Lowey green that I have seen. They are reserved at BLW for $37.50 each so I don't expect a lot, bt the NP had a couple so I just hafta getem. There are some Overland FT's " http://www.blwnscale.com/Overland%20Models%20EMD%20FT%27S.htm " available in NP freight, but at 10 time sthe cost of plastic, I have avoided them waiting for the plastic Intermountain or Microtrains versions instead. I've looked over your project photo's Hemi, and noticed a Pacific Northwest flavor to your modeling. Catzilla topples the NCL! Do you know of any of Mark Jirousek's modeling on the web? Back to F units, the perfect compliment to late steam... I have not picked up any Bachmann units yet, or even seen them at the trainshop, so I was wondering what any of you who have had them for a while still think of them, before I kick down some bones? [ 13 May 2002, 16:38: Message edited by: pray59 ]
Pray59- Have you seen any hint of a delivery date on the FP's? Also, I have seen several times an offering by Mark J on eBay. Each one has drawn quite a bit of interest. And a fairly stiff price. His work is certainly very high quality. BoxcabE50
Rio Grande Hobbies website (future releases) shows the Model Power FP-7 for a June and October 2002 release. The reason for the two separate months is Model Power states there will be a modelers version and a toy train set version. I did not know which one comes out first and unlike the 4-6-2 there are currently no photos of the FP-7 model.
I agree to that. I want more proof that they are an acceptable running sub. for Kato's F's. Even tho they will be NP Lowey, GN 'Builder, and maybe even some 'Q' F's.... Thanks for checking it out! I caught my cat in the act! He was undoubtedly booted from the room indefinitely. Now the NCL and the 'Q' Morning Zephyr are combined behind 3 elephant-style MU'd E9's in CB&Q. Gorgeous!
Has any one tried the new Bachmann spectrum F's? they look pretty decent, and the consolidation was good -does any have any of the new f's and can give an honest opinion of them? or are they typical B-man stuff?
