Atlas Plating for the Santa Fe F7

On the 2rail side, what decoder are they going to use for DCC?

Jim, please ask Atlas if they have any plans yet.

If Atlas O does decide to do Super Chief cars, will I still be alive when the entire set is complete? That is very iffy . . . . One or two cars every twelve months . . . I would be 79?

 

Old Scrapiron

Will the (2) road #'s 37 & 45 have Phase I and Phase II specific details, for example the #37 was delivered with 36" DB fans vs the #45 delivered with 48" DB fans?

 

Joe

Will Atlas plan on doing the Super Chief to match the F7's?  If so, I commit my order now.

Atlas has set a dubious record indeed for the length of time to deliver a complete passenger train.    I'm thinking the CZ domed observation is hopefully between Hawaii and California by now.  And if that shipment can clear the backup of containers stuck on ships at the West Coast docks, perhaps we'll have an observation car in our hands in 1H2015.  Any bets on the baggage car by year end?  Or will that drift into 2016?  Instead of celebrating the train's completion, it's gotta be pretty anti-climactic at this point.

 

When did Atlas announce the CZ?  It's been so long ago, I forgot.    Perhaps 2009??? WOW!!!  Has it really been almost 6 years???  

 

I hope they never try that approach again.  I know I wouldn't sign up if they did.  Who would???  

 

David

Highly unlikely Atlas would announce another passenger train set,they are at least a year away from completing the CZ cars and their current builder is still very slow on motive power production [one model a year at current rate] the TBA of 3 previously scheduled models seems to be freeing up the schedule for a "reasonable future delivery" of the much hyped F7s,think first half 2016.JMO Any future passenger trains will most likely come from Sunset.

A bit off topic but I think most, if not all of us, would appreciate new tooling for the fuel tanks in these F7's. The fuel tanks used for the F3's is awful.

Guys,

I just got home from the O-Scale show.  I was only able to talk with Jerry for a about five minutes.  I had a long line forming behind me and I did not want to be rude and read off a list of questions.

Jerry will re-visit this thread when he returns to work.  I am sure that he will address ALL your questions.  He is a Santa Fe modeler and he tells me SS matches the Athearn units therefore I have no reason to doubt his word.

I am all-in.

 

 

 

I raised this same point on January 28th when the new Atlas F7's were announced and nobody else jumped in so I figured maybe I was wrong.

 

Here is a link to page 2 of that topic, where my post appears:

 

https://ogrforum.com/t...der-pricing-1?page=2

Will the (2) road #'s 37 & 45 have Phase I and Phase II specific details

Joe- They have 37 & 41 listed on their website which is more recent than the catalog.  I think they may have changed to 41 so they don't need to go with the larger d/b fan.

 

A bit off topic but I think most, if not all of us, would appreciate new tooling for the fuel tanks in these F7's. The fuel tanks used for the F3's is awful.

This would be a good time to correct the fuel tank.  Didn't you correct that on your F3's?

I did, but it was $60 plus shipping for an ABA. I used Lionel tanks from their recent F7's. The installation wasn't fun either

 

 

I want to thank everyone who has posted on this thread especially “Hot Water” and “Santa Fe Jim” who both came by to visit with me at the Chicago O Scale Meet with your thoughts and suggestions for our F7 diesel locomotive.

 

We realize the passion that exist from all of you on getting things right and we’ll try our best to meet those expectations.

 

I won’t be making anymore post on these suggestions unless something comes up that we may need clarification on so in the mean time if you’re leaning towards ordering one of these locomotives make sure you do so before the deadline, which is April 8^th, 2015.

 

Jerry Kimble

Atlas Model Railroad Company

 

 

 

 

Not really Carl.... thats only on this forum... which is NOT the entire O scale hobby. OGR is only a fraction of this hobby

For Atlas and this particular model they will need to make their reservation number from the 3 rail market. Sunset will bring in their F7 by the fall and it will probably be sold out mostly to 2 railers willing to pay more for better drives rd names with specific details.Bear in mind Atlas will most likely need 3 times the reservations for 5 or 6 rd names to make this run happen[much lower "street price"will help] every F7 2rail and a small amount of 3 rail engines that Sunset sells is one less for Atlas.Not knocking either product,just a market reality.JMO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Deleted off-topic gibberish.)

 

Let me also add that LOS is a great asset to OGR forum, and a terrific resource for me personally as he has replied tirelessly to my frequent emails since my return to this hobby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For what it's worth, to date, orders through us for these F7s are running about half 2 rail.

The 2R and 3RS guys like these units because they have body mounted steps, fixed pilot option, and Kadee adaptability right out of the box. I wouldn't be surprised if 2R out sells the 3R versions, just like the 3rd Rail models. Like I said, this forum may be dominated by 3 railers, but it's only a fraction of the O scalers in general, and the Atlas Master Line stuff really appeals to model railroaders.

LOS, no offense intended--you have been a great help via email since my return to the hobby.

 

How do you combine 2RS and 3RS as a single voice?  My take is that 2RS is the red-headed stepchild.  Which is what has  been said previously.

 

In other words, 2RS lives because 3RS and Hi rail are the buyers.  Said another, less polite perhaps, is simply this:  2RS is dead; and, unless its proponents can presell models. 

 

 

 

 Who cares if they get the SS look right when the fuel tank is too small!

Martin - I have to say I do.  I can replace the fuel tanks easily enough.  It would be impossible for me to replicate the stainless. 

 

From Santa Fe Jim about Jerry Kimble:

He is a Santa Fe modeler and tells me the SS looks just like the Athearn units therefore I have no reason to doubt his word.

I missed that post on the 14th, thanks Jim!  That just cost me the second set.

 

Howard,

You are welcome.  After all, what are friends for, if not to help you spend your $$$.

I would suspect the fuel tank will not be changed on the F7 the basic shell is virtually identical to their previous Phase2 F3, the tank is a part of the shell mold, the fans and grilles are piece parts.While it is possible Atlas could modify the tooling for a correct tank, I would be suprised if they did.JMO

Mario has a simple solution for those that want to lower the fuel tanks on Atlas F units.  Check out this thread.  You can also email him mscalzo3@juno.com for more info!

What color/brand paint would we use to paint the spacer?

Painting the spacer is really easy because it's up under the fuel tank, behind the side skirts. I used Krylon camouflage ultra flat black. The spacer is ABS, and I have never used a primer. 

There's no doubting the results!  Here's some of mine and Norm's.


The Atlas is the whisker striped F2.

Thanks,
Mario

       
       


SFJ,
Luckily, Norm posted a pic of the underside of his unit and you can barely see the spacer between the fuel tank tabs and the frame. He painted his black.



Thanks,
Mario