Heads Up - F7A/B units from 3rd Rail

Well I dont know how much difference-other than price will 3rd Rail's F7's will be from MTH and/or Lionel- which are at a lower price in an a-b-a configuration.

 

I think 3rd Rail should have done another run of the Fp7's which no one else has out at this time.

 

another interesting issue is why a PRR F7 in Tuscan? PRR F7's were all DLGE. The FP7's were the only units painted tuscan. IS third rail going fantasy?

Glad to hear it, thanks for the info.  

 

Now that 3rd Rail is offering powered F7 B units, I wish they would offer a powered chassis for those of us that bought the non-powered F7B's that were offered with the FP-7. Alternatively, just offer new powered F7B units to mate with our FP7A/F7B sets.

The 3rd Rail units have single motor mechanims with gear reduction towers on each truck.   The MTH and Lionel have toy-train type vertical motors on each truck with very little, if any gearing reduction.   My experience with these 2 motor mechanisms on the past is that they run like slot cars or rocket sleds.   Not conducive to slow speed prototypical type operationand switching.

I would be all over an A-B-B-A set of Black Widows.. But there is just no way I need 4 powered units.  Now... if I could get 2 powered and 2 non-powered then count me in.

 

Anybody listing?  

Ditto...

2 powered and 2 non-powered.

Bill

I noticed the announcement said the "B" unit is tethered to the "A" unit, which is similar to previous GGD diesel offerings. Can these "B" units be run by themselves or do they have to be tethered to an "A" unit? 

 

Butch

I would like a set of Santa Fe F7's ABBA but not at the price listed, $600 ea, I don't think so.

The web site now says "Reservations closed.  Standby accepted."  There must have been a real demand for these things.  Looks like they corrected their web site.

 

Since it says the B-unit is tethered to the A-unit, I wonder if the B-unit has sound?

 

Ron

Sunset did not offer an unpowered B unit in the FT series [now fully reserved and in production],as the FTs run 599. A and 499. B it is unrealistic to think the F7s would be any less. It is possible if demand is strong enough Scott could make an unpowered B unit available, time will tell.

With only a few hours on the internet, we get lots of suggestions and corrections to our production. Keep your suggestions coming.

 

Regardless of what others have produced in 3 Rail, ours are the only models with a full cab interior, pilots fixed to the body and single motor horizontal drive. There is always room for a product with improvements in performance and detail.

 

As for Dummy B Units, no one wanted them with the FTs, so we aren't offering them with the F7s. In fact, we have had many requests for powered chassis and or powered CP B Units so customers can pull their long Canadian Trains. We will consider providing both.

 

 

 

Scott Mann

How about body mounted side ladders instead of truck mounted Scott?

How about adding Erie Lackawanna to the list Scott?

I noticed ACL as first on the list.

Not in purple again I hope. Seems that no O gauge manufacturers produce the ACL units in black with the yellow pinstripe. Those are the only ones I saw as a kid.

Well, I do believe I see the possibility of a bobtail rednose here . . . if the cab unit carries a 300 series number appropriate for the F7 phase and if two boosters can be connected to one cab unit.  Atlas poked along and poked along.  Too bad for them.

Starting on the FTs, we are putting the ladders in baggies and one can screw them into the body. They will interfere with truck swing in 3 Rail. So would you rather see them mounted on the trucks in 3R, and body mounted in 2R?

 

We will make whatever roads are most popular. Keep your suggestions coming.

 

Scott

I'm a three rail guy, but I convert to fixed pilots and Kadees with all my Sunset stuff. So as long as the body mounted ladders will make 072 curves, I prefer body mount. As long as the ladders are available, I can always convert after the fact.

Hi Scott. I bought the Canadian train with extra cars in the CP Rail paint scheme. I had to cancel the FP7's from sunset as the were only available in the Canadian Pacific maroon, gold, and grey scheme Which has been done many times, though never on F"P"7's but definitely on every other F unit ever released in "O" scale.
F units have never ever been offered  anywhere in "O" scale in the CP Rail action red pac-man paint scheme ,..... ever, so therefor my Canadian train is engineless, and must be pushed forward along the rails by the great hand in the sky. 
Scott will you be the first one in "O" scale to offer GM F units in the CP Rail action red paint scheme? PLEEEEEESE.

Scott,

 

Will the powered "B" units have sound and DCC without being tethered to the "A" unit? I see a good opportunity to sell a lot of powered "F7B's" if they will run alone with sound and DCC. 

 

Butch

My first thought is: do we need another production of F units? Regardless of more details on and in these models will we operators and collectors want to purchase them? Based on having several models of F3s, F7s, FP7s and FL9s from Lionel, MTH, and Sunset Models in my collection I will pass on buying any more F units. Granted the the FL9s and FP7s are great looking and running models enough is enough. For these of you who are planning to purchase any of these F7s you should be getting a quality product that Sunset Models is known for.

Actually this is a good time for Sunset to offer the F7s as the FTs are already in production and the reservation system will determine if there is sufficient interest for the project to procede,hopefully the future will bring more modern diesels.

I'm delighted that ACL is one of the options. I'll be happy with ACL black/yellow, purple/silver in either large or small lettering,or Charleston and Western Carolina in purple/silver. Clinchfield in gray/yellow is also on my wish list.Looking forward to whatever is finally offered.
Leon

Ed,

Agreed that 3 rail may not need the F-7 units, but they will probably be good sellers in 2 rail. Since previous Sunset diesel runs have been at least 50 % 2 rail I would expect that sufficient reservations will be placed to make this a worthwhile project.

 

Many 2 rail modelers have been requesting F-7 units from Sunset for some time now.

In fact, we have had many requests for powered chassis and or powered CP B Units so customers can pull their long Canadian Trains. We will consider providing both.

I like that idea, but would also appreciate an A unit powered chassis as there are 3 rail A units I would like to convert to 2 rail.

 

I would order an A-B-B-A Santa Fe passenger set but I doubt that it will have what is now my stopping point, a satisfactory treatment for the stainless steel panels.  If 3rd Rail was doing the first four delivered sets of F3's which were painted, I would order.

 

Also, is the F7 going to have both versions of the Dynamic Brake fans modeled (36" and 48") depending on the engine and road being modeled.

 

I have no idea what the extra cost involved would be but if 3rd Rail could correctly model the Stainless Panels for Santa Fe, and WP, they would start to take over the market for those engines.  I don't understand how HO models are successful and O scale models aren't.  I'd like to learn that.

 

Walthers Plastic Santa Fe passenger unit

 

 

I would pay a premium for a good stainless feature.  Otherwise I would like to buy 2 A and 2 B chassis (and maybe more) and use them for Lionel F3 shells.

Its a little irritating to see the locos I want to pull my El Cap announced within 2 months after the announcement of the El Cap. There is no way I can afford to buy the train and locos only months apart

Matt,

Why don't you exercise Sunset / GGD's lay away plan? Scott is always willing to do that. That may be better than being irritated.

Ive got 6 grand worth of trains on law-a-way with Scott. Until those are paid there is no room for lay-a-way. Im only irritated because I really want a set

I ordered an A-B set in DGLE.  This about does it for me in Pennsy motive power,I think.

 

Norm

The B units are powered but do not have the decoder, hence the tether.  I'd rather they be independent with their own decoder too but we are in the minority of the minority of the minority.  However, the decoders are stereo so the potential for putting a separate speaker in the B is there.

 

WP had no stainless F7s.   Only F3s and FP7s.  But I do agree about the lack of a decent stainless look given HO does it all the time.  It was by biggest disappointment   with the Lionel Warbonnet F7s (and WP F3s).  Foil was a failure for me,  The sprayon chrome, etc, works IF you can remove the existing paint and removing existing paint in certain areas only cleanly has likewise been a failure for me.  It needs to be applied first.

 

Matt,

 

I too had 6 grand of just FTs reserved but with the demos being deferred 2 grand...

I almost bought a set of the Athearn Genesis HO Warbonnets just because they look soo good with the stainless panels. If Scott could do that, they would be the best F units out there for O gauge... by far!

Here's your chance to really be a hero, Scott.  Marker has an excellent point.  They have been doing this on affordable HO gauge rednose units for quite a while now, while we in O gauge, with more opportunity for realism, do not rise to the challenge.  Look at the perfect warbonnet on the Walthers unit,  Except for the very expensive brass models, we can't even get that right in O gauge, much less the stainless steel panel effect.  You showed the HO boys that we can have realistic headlights on your FL9's and FP7's.  You'll be the one, I just know it. 

Scott,

I wish to acquire a Santa Fe A-B-B-A F7 set and would also pay a premium for ATSF Warbonnet spec prototype stainless steel car bodies.

Scott, what say you? 

Thanks.

 

Bill

Far and away... NOBODY has done the Santa Fe War Bonnets better than Athearn.

 

Here are some of mine.

 

 

 

 

 

Both those HO example also have body mounted ladders as well. I dont think too many people that buy Sunset engines and GGD 21" cars are running 031/036 curves. The new F7s from Sunset 3rd Rail need to be comparable with those HO models.

Wellsville Addison & Galeton F7A units with two road numbers in 2R would be very nice. I would definitely buy two. Oh well, I guess dreams are free.

Ian

Hmmmm, I may be in for a set of GN units.

 

What number series of locomotives will be done?   the 307 thru 317 ABC (except 310) were A-B-A sets, the 444 thru 456 ABCD, and 462 thru 468 ABCD (even number only) were four unit sets.  

 

Before I order, I would like to know a little more of what needs to be done to mount Kadees between units, and whether or not the fixed pilots for the 3 rail are standard, or if they need to be ordered separately?  Will the Kadee pads come standard even for three rail, or do we need to build up our own mounting pads and shim? Also concerned about the GN colors.  Any way we can see color chip samples before ordering? 

 

Regards,

GNNPNUT

 

 

Black Widows?    Don't you need to take care of the El Cap power requirements first?

 

 

Chicago Great Western

At least with my 3 rail FP7s, I ordered 2 rail pilots for them separately and then swapped them out myself. They were an additional charge, but Scott told me he would make sure to have some available for the 3RS guys for the FTs as well. I always ask for the Kadee mounting pads with my stuff, and Scott provided the standard Sunset/GGD Kadee mounting pad that screws on. At least for the FP7, these needed modified to get the close coupling that I wanted. I also had to use some shims to get the correct coupler height. The end result was very pleasing to me, but it was not just a "plug and play" application. Modifications were required, but nothing you're not capable of doing from the work I've seen you do  





This pic below is the standard Kadee pad from Sunset, with 2 micromark shims added. That was not close enough for me, so I drilled new holes to pull them in tight as seen in the pix above. They still run on 072 no problem when they are that close. I would assume the FTs and F7s will be the same.