Received an e-mail from InterMountain announcing FT's in both HO and N painted for the Seaboard and Southern (Tuxedo scheme). They will be available in four different A-B number sets. Hope that these don't go the way of the previously announced SAL F-3's, although to me, they are a much better choice since Athearn had previously offered the F-3's. These units are also supposed to be dual-decoder equipped. I also put in a plug for ACL's "Black Maria" FT's.
Received e-mails this a.m. from members of the Southeast Model Railroaders Forum that a total of 80 sets (that includes both DCC/sound and DC) will be necessary to produce the FT's in Seaboard Air Line. Thus far 63 have been pre-ordered. If you're an SAL or an FT fan you might want to get your order(s) in soon. These units in A-B or A-B-B-A sets were a fixture on Seaboard's manifests until 1950. Don't want these to go the way of InterMountains F-3's announced last year - hen cancelled.
I have an Bachmann FT A&B Set in citrus colors. How will the planned FT from Intermountain differ from the Bachmann FT? My dilema is that I don't want to let down the team by not pre-ordering the Intermountain FT yet I'm not happy buying what maybe a close as darn it duplicate of the Bachmann model. Any ideas?
City Limits - I too have a Bachmann FT-A in the Citrus colors. Go a darn good price on it and can't complain about its' running abilities. However, the B'mann is not a good model of an FT for the following reasons; a. The length is closer to that of a later (F-2 to F-9) rather than the shorter FT. b. The Citrus scheme, while attractive, only lasted from 1942 - 1947. The InterMountain has the proper freight scheme worn by all the units 1947 - 1963. c. Compare your model to a photo of SAL's FT's and you'll note panels, louvres, ec. being off. d. The B'mann does not have the rear overhang typical of FT's. e. While the B'mann is a good runner, all 6 of my IM F's and FP's run beautifully. F. SAL's FT-A and B's did not have dynamic brakes, B'manns' does. And as I mentioned, the FT's were iconic for the SAL because even after the arrival of the GP's and other road switchers the FT's were far more likely to be the lead engine on the SAL's manifest freights where little or no enroute switching was involved.
Ciy Limits - Please excuse my lapse in manners. First, welcome to Trainboard. Otherwise, if you're an SAL modeller - welcome to the few, and in my case - the oft-befuddled. If you would, please give us some info on you, your modelling and how you ever became a Seaboard fan. After all, the roads' been gone for 43 years plus and it's kind of obvious how an old guy like me would be a fan (I watched those guys railroad, had a couple of great paint schemes, and who besides the real biggies <S.P., Pennsy> had more different models of diesels).
InterMountain SAL FT's are on schedule Mr. Frasier with Intermountain replied to my e-mail request and assured me that the SAL FT-A&B units are on schedule. The tentative delivery date is June/July this year. Suggest, even to those of you who hate preorder, to make an exception this time. Warren Calloway had high praise for the preproduction orders he saw and that's good enough for me.
Thank you - Dave Dave - I've just logged in again to this forum after my initial post here. I do apologise for my apparent discourtesy for not responding earlier, but that is the reason. I've sent you a PM. Best regards Bruce Gibbins
Bruce - No need to apologize. "No harm, no foul." I've replied to your pm, any comments or questions on our favorite roads, please join in.
I wish IM would release a Southern unit in green. I have a tuxedo Microtrains FT A/B set already. I also have IM F7A/B in L&N and M&StL; they do run well.
Hoyden - Be patient. I'd often wondered when either InterMountain or Stewart would tumble to the number of original FT paint schemes, never mind the re-paints. Looks as though InterMountain realized it first. I know they've already delivered on the MoPac and Cotton Belt units with a "bunch" more due between April and July.
