Wish/Want N Scale FP-7(s)

I am anxiously awaiting an N Scale FP-7. Are you?

 

Lark,
Welcome to Trainboard!!!!
Had to vote no for these units since I model the modern era.

 

I voted no, too, for I model the MoPac, which didn't have any.

 

So far the only shot at an FP7 has been the Model Power unit that has had so many delays and lame excuses as to be somewhat of a joke amongst N scalers.

Perhaps it is time for them to shelve it and move on so someone else can offer this model.

I could use a couple CN and C&O

 

I vote YES because I model the WP and they used FP7s to pull the CZ and we really NEED them!

 

One of these babies right here!

 

I voted Yes!! I am not interested in the MP version but will hold out for Intermountain to do them...hopefully. Until then I made one using a resin shell by Greg Scott of GHQ and our friend Joe Valerio. It fits onto a modified Atlas GP38/40 mech. Joe may still have some available and can be contacted at trainutz@excite.com

Andrew

 

Nice model, nice ballast, nice grass, etc.

 

I'm in the YES camp. Although I model a modern era there is a scinic line I'd like to include that has one of the most beautiful paint scheme I've ever seen.
Verde Canyon Railroad

From what I've seen of the Model Power version I think I'd rather holdout for Intermountain also. Thankfully I only need two.

 

I found a trainset version, locomotive only: the PRR.

There is a vendor who works Greedbergs who had two. I bought one. He wanted a few dollars more than I was really willing to pay, but my curiosity got the better of me.

The paint job is pretty good. The road number is correct for a Tuscan Red version. The grilles are silver, something unusual for an inexpensive F-unit in N scale. The only complaint about appearance is that the shell does not sit quite right on the chassis resulting in a bit of a rakish cant to the locomotive.

I am not sure what the MT conversion is, as I used a UniMate on the back. The front coupler is a body-mount Rapido with a unique type of spring on it. If you file the opening a bit, you can use 1015/1016 or 2004 as a body mount. The 1023 will also fit, but it will foul the lead truck.

The locomotive comes with a five pole motor and dual flywheels. It runs very nicely, much better than I would expect from a trainset locomotive. The slow speed control is good: it will hold a steady twenty SMPH under load.

The motor and fly wheels sit in a U-shaped SINGLE piece metal chassis. Here begin the problems: archaic construction methods. The pick up wires are soldered to the triucks and flex as the trucks pivot (similar to the plastic frame LL FAs, F-units and BL-2s). Down the road, this will cause problems. Contact wipers collect current from the wheels and transmit it through the wires to the motor.

One complaint about QC: It appears that the fuel tank holds the shell to the chassis. The fuel tank on mine is so malformed that the tabs do not lock properly into their holes. I have to monkey with the fuel tank to make it stay put. MP does need to work on this.

It will pull six RR HW cars on MT trucks up a one per-cent grade.

Four to six passenger cars for a single unit was probably about right for this prototype, although I am not one-hundred per-cent sure to what use the PRR put these things. One of the SPFs on another board stated that they had sixty-five MPH gearing, which allowed them to be used for both freight and passenger. The trainset version certainly does have the slow speed control to be used for twenty-five SMPH freight trains.

All things considered, though, it is not a bad locomotive. This may be the best candidate yet to appear for the 'entry-level F-unit' that has been the subject of some discussion on this board and elsewhere. Should the purchaser decide that he wants to continue in the hobby, this unit operates well enough that it would merit retention on the locomotive roster. The 'serious hobbyist' , at some point, will have acquired sufficient soldering skills to resolder the wires as they popped off the contacts.

I do hope that MP will use a split frame for the 'hobbyist quality' FP-7. Also, I do hope that they use the phosphor bornze contact tabs in place of flexing wires. I would avoid the old Kato method of direct contact of truck pick-ups to split frame pieces: such a method of current transmission is too intolerant of mediocre trackwork. The phosphor bronze tabs are much more flexible and tolerant of mediocre trackwork.

Overall, not a bad engine. MP, as usual, does need to do a few simple fix-ups. Even if this increases the price a few dollars, the majority of us would not be unwilling to pay it for a locomotive that operates well.

 

"anxiously " No, as I can't really aford it right now.

 

I am somewhat of a covered wagon fan. I like all the E's and F's. Actually I prefer the F's, but I have a fleet of 6 E's and only one old CP Atlas F9? A unit. I think it is time for more F's.

 

Truly exceptional model work. At first I thought you had linked an HO model as an example. Then I read the text. Very Very nice!!!

 

Kaslo has made a FP-7 shell for Central Hobbies in Vancouver BC. The shell is gorgeous with a variety of etched details that will allow you to place portholes anywhere you want. The shell fits an Atlas GP38/40 chassis but Central hobbies also offers a milled LL C liner chassis that the shell will fit on perfectly. It's a simple matter of changing out the trucks with Atlas Blombergs and viola... Here's a link to Kaslo's site where you can get more info.

Kaslo Shops

grant

 

Thanks to all for the compliments! I have heard of the Kaslo shops FP-7 for a while but have not seen it. Does anybody here have pictures or a link?

Andrew

 

Andrew,

I don't have any pics. Pretty sure Steve Wiedmar aka nscalesteve had a few pics on the A forum a while back. I posted a link to Kaslo's site which will get you where you want to go.

Here it is again

Kaslo Shops


I love the NP FP's. Always liked the plow pilot on them. Nice job.

grant

 

I wanted to vote but could not find anything to mark on.