F3 Southern PS 2.0 vs F7 Southern PS 3.0

You need to compare the sounds.  I have the new PS3 F7 ABA set and I am not too happy with the sounds.  My old PS1 set had better sound.  I don't have any PS2 to compare it to though.

.....

Dennis

I also was able to find a vid and there are some difference. For one there is no Southern circular decal on the F7. The Southern decal name on the sides look to be bigger on the F7. I actually like the PS 2.0 version better in looks. So i may be leaning to it. Thanks

It would be great if Larry Neal chimed in here since he knows this stuff off the top of his head.

But as I recall the first SOU passenger units came around 1938/39 and they were green & white.  The first freight units were the EMD FT demo in early 40's which were black & white Tux.  In late 40's all went green & white.  Then in 56 the units went back to black & white Tux.  And then later passenger units back to black & white. There were at least two different size letters used through the years.  Also years with and without the nose seal.

Again hopefully Larry will post the exact specifics.

Just to give an update, my wife ordered the set for me today. So excited to get this set. Now my next question would be if there exists a passenger car set for this F3 train set? I looked at the catalog and they never mentioned a matching passenger set. I guess I can always look for one that would fit the paint scheme. Or I can look for some hopper set. 

I have the following cars in my collection which where release in the 2007 catalog.
Product Number: 20-66107 2-Car 70' ABS Slpr/Diner Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern
Product Number: 20-69107 2-Car 70' ABS Baggage/Coach Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern
Product Number: 20-68107 70' ABS RPO Passenger Car (Ribbed) - Southern
Product Number: 20-65107 5-Car 70' ABS Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern

These cars where in the 2012 Vol 1 catalog and where schedule to be deliever to the dealers in July. You might want to check to see who have them in stock.
Product Number: 20-65194 5-Car 70' ABS Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern    
Product Number: 20-66194 2-Car 70' ABS Slpr/Diner Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern
Product Number: 20-68194 70' ABS RPO Passenger Car (Ribbed) - Southern
Product Number: 20-67194 70' ABS Full Length Vista Dome Passenger Car (Ribbed) - Southern
    
Product Number: 20-69194 2-Car 70' ABS Baggage/Coach Passenger Set (Ribbed) - Southern

Thanks for the post. Just came across the 2012 ones. They look great. Silver look would go well with the dark black/brown color. 

OH in my previous post where I stated green & white and/or black & white I should correctly stated "imitation aluminum" in stead of "white."

What about adding Southern hoppers or box cars?

OK, here is my response PRRronbh - 

The MTH Southern F-3 version is the as delivered scheme from late 1948. Both the 4173 and 4174 were originally built in 12/48. They were classified by EMD as F-5s, though Southern called them F-3s. They have an F-7 body, but F-3 prime movers and traction motors. Since MTH did not put dynamic brake fans on them, they can be used to represent the 1948 - 1952 time frame, since both 4173 and 4174 received dynamic brakes in mid 1955, and are in black, not green. The smaller lettering and numbers in front of the cab ladders were Southern style during this period.

These F-5s were not used for passenger service since they never had steam generators. They were painted green by the early 50s, which all Southern wore regardless of service. PS-1 and wooden boxcars, wooden and steel reefers and two-bay hoppers would look great behind these units.

In comparison, the MTH Southern F-7s just released represent the 1959 - mid 1970s scheme used on F units by the Southern. The nose herald was removed, lettering was larger and the number was moved behind the cab ladder. These were always used as freight locomotives as well. 

I thought about buying the F-3s, but waited on these F-7s since they can be used for a longer period of Southern history (if you want to represent a true modeling era, otherwise, run them as you wish). 

MTH made these F-7s in part due to the NS DAP units, since they are the same scheme with different lettering. It is my hope MTH comes out with F-3 (F-5) or F-7 Southern units in the green scheme in the not too distant future.

I hope borderman01 I have not burst any bubble for you. I have been a big fan of the Southern Railway for quite a while, and have both O and HO models of their F units. I like the 1956 - 1960 period in HO, and look for similar models in O as well. As I said, they are yours, and you can run them as you wish, just giving the actual history of the units. 

For passenger, you could always find the MTH Southern PS-1 F units, painted in the original passenger scheme, though their body styles are not totally correct. 

An BTW PRRronbh - I am back at Spencer Shops as the interim director at least through March or April, so I might see you at the hobby shop sometime.

Larry

Thanks for the feedback and historical lesson. Along with this set I will on be the lookout for the f7. I was really please with the look of the F3. Do you happen to have pics of the mth f7 just to see for comparison? Thanks again. 

 I may have misspoke - the PS-1 type boxcars and steel reefers were more mid 50s, so they are actually too late for the MTH black F-3s. Stick with wooden boxcars, reefers and the composite WWII open hoppers to be correct for the late 40s time period. 

One neat thing about the Southern - completely dieselized by 1953, first major railroad in the US to acomplish this feat. 

I may eventually acquire these MTH F-3s myself, since they are really nice looking units.

I have the Southern F-7 set on hold at the hobby shop, just waiting on me to put on lay-a-way. They are very similar to the F-3 in looks, but have the larger lettering, a different (though incorrect) horn, and no nose herald. Here is view of one of the new F-7s from David Friedlander's review of the 2 rail version he purchased. It shows most of the differences.

Thanks guys. Wow you learn something new everyday. Saw your vid before Dave.