3rd Rail SD7/9 Price

I think the MSRP was $599.     Then there is a slight shipping charge of 20 or 30.

I think they are very nicely done.    I have a PRR version and the paint looks nice and the lettering is crisp.    The finish is flat, which I like.    

The marker lights, number boards and headlights are lighted at each end.     I would have wired them a little differently if given the choice.    For example the number boards are either on or off, but Decoderpro shows the capability for the QSI decoder to operate these independently.    

Mine runs nicely.   It is still a little stiff, but I have only test run it for a few minutes.     The speed is in a range I like and it runs smoothly.     

Another minor issue for me is the crew in the cab.    On Pennsy, the long hood was front on these, and the model has the crew facing the short hood.    this again is not a big deal because it would have run either way in service.

They were like $670 each. I own 2 and I love them. They are wonderfully detailed, very well done and the horizontal drive is second to none in smooth operation for 3 rail models. There are some issues that bother me like the cab light is always on ad they definitely need to have kadees installed between the two units to close the gap but those are small details compared the quality of the model

prrjim posted: ...... Mine runs nicely.   It is still a little stiff, but I have only test run it for a few minutes.     The speed is in a range I like and it runs smoothly.      

Still a little stiff? It hesitates at first?

What  would you say  that speed range is?

Thanks

Matt Makens posted:

There are some issues that bother me like the cab light is always on .....

Do you run 2-rail or 3-rail?

Matt

The 3rd Rail website shows limited quantities of both 2 and 3 rail units in stock still.

Right now I run 3 rail and I'm making the transition over to 2 rail

Sometimes the start/stop is a little jerky.   

The cab light does not stay on all the time with DCC.    It comes on about 10-15 seconds after stopping, and goes off about the same amount of time after starting to move.    It can also be totally turned off with DCC.   I use Decoderpro with the QSI decoders. 

One of things I learned with the F7s was that I can move the Cab light to a different logical "port" on the decoder and then program it to turn on an off immediately on stopping/starting.    

The 2 rail version came with Kadees installed.

I just need to get inside and do some wiring. When I switch them over to 2 rail I'll put ESU LokSound decoders in and that will give me all the lighting options I'll need 

I was going to take mine apart and rewired the markers and number boards, but I could not figure out how to get it apart without bending the handrails.   I was not ready to tackle that yet.    They were not pulling out of the body easily.    I did not want to mess the paint  up yet, so I decided to live with the lights for now.

prrjim posted:

I was going to take mine apart and rewired the markers and number boards, but I could not figure out how to get it apart without bending the handrails.   I was not ready to tackle that yet.    They were not pulling out of the body easily.    I did not want to mess the paint  up yet, so I decided to live with the lights for now.

You have to pull the pilot rails out of the side rails to get them apart.

I have 3 of the SD7/SD9 models, DCC with kadees, love them! Worth every penny IMO, ncng

How much did you pay per loco?

$669.95 plus $45 shipping. There will be no discounts or opportunities to save money in these. They cost what they cost and if you want em, pay it if not, don't. You won't be sorry you bought em either

Thanks for letting me know. I'm attracted to the fact they have the drive well all wished Atlas had in their locos besides the switchers.

I've read even with DCC the China drives still don't perform that well especially at slow speeds.