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I am posting this to help others, who may be wondering about all the different generations of K-Line F-Units that have been manufactured.

Basically there have been 4 different generations.  The 1st gen was significantly different they came in Black Boxes and had "motorized" trucks.  Note the location of the pick-up.  These pictures are repost from an earlier OGR topic.

K-Line F-7 1st Gen2K-Line F-7 1st Gen

The next 3 Generations all came in yellow boxes and had vertical motors attached to the trucks and have TMCC.  I own a complete ABA set of the 4th generation and a B-unit only of the 2nd generation.  The pictures I am attaching show the differences.  The motors and pick-ups have been removed from the 2nd Gen, as I am going to use it as a Dummy.  I am going have to get a 8 wire harness for the unit to use as an "extension cord".  BTW-ATSF bought mostly ABBA Sets for Passenger service, they were 2 "paired AB's".

The 2nd and 3rd Generations are almost identical, externally.  K-Line even used the same number to identify them (K-25301 for ATSF).   In the 2nd Gen all 3 Units were powered.  Although I don't own a 3rd Gen the difference was that the B-unit had a smoke unit instead of being powered (A-Units also added smoke).  They also add the separately applied lift rings of the 4th Gen.  So the 3rd Gen is somewhat between the 2nd and 4th.

If someone has a 3rd Gen Please post some pictures.

The 4th Gen (K-25305 for ATSF) had revised shells.  Although if you look at my pictures closely, you will note that the number molded into the shell is the same.  The rear bulkheads were changed removing the windows and set-up for cloth diaphragms instead of rubber.  The roof area had been modified for the 3rd Gen to allow the smoke to escape from the smoke units.  MU connectors were added and, though subtle, the ladders are different.  Also the kickplate by the doors is painted silver on the 4th Gen and rear view mirrors were added to the A-Units.

The wiring harness in the 2nd Gen is 4 wire.  Wiring harness in the 3rd and 4th Gen is 8 wire.  The 4th Gen has cruise control.

I know there were prior discussions on the forum, but they really didn't concentrate on showing the differences.

If you think this is helpful, please let me know.K-Line F-7B 1K-Line F-7B 2K-Line F-7B 3K-Line F-7B 4K-Line F-7B 5K-Line F-7B 6K-Line F-7B 7K-Line F-7B 8K-Line F-7B 9

Attachments

Images (11)
  • K-Line F-7B 1
  • K-Line F-7B 2
  • K-Line F-7B 3
  • K-Line F-7B 4
  • K-Line F-7B 5
  • K-Line F-7B 6
  • K-Line F-7B 7
  • K-Line F-7B 8
  • K-Line F-7B 9
  • K-Line F-7 1st Gen2
  • K-Line F-7 1st Gen
Last edited by MainLine Steam
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@Pingman posted:

Thanks for collecting and posting the informaiton and photos.

I recently purchased K-25501, Northern Pacific F-7 AAs, but know very little about the product line; so thanks, again.

Glad it was a help.

I looked-up the set number you posted and they appear to be the 3rd Generation.  So smoke units, separately applied lift rings, rubber diaphragms, no mirrors, 8-wire harness.  If this is the case, could you please snap a couple of pictures and add them to this post, so others can get idea what I am describing?  Also when creating this not sure if that Gen has cruise control or not, please let us know.  Thank you!

Last edited by MainLine Steam

@MainLine Steam, I've only had them out of the box briefly for a quick check of basic TMCC functions on a test track.

What resource led you to conclude mine are 3rd Gen.?

I'll have them out of the box soon and post a report.

A train club friend has just purchased a NOS four car set of the NP NCL cars to go with the two car set he had; so, we'll soon run his cars with my AAs. Should be fun.

@Pingman posted:

@MainLine Steam, I've only had them out of the box briefly for a quick check of basic TMCC functions on a test track.

What resource led you to conclude mine are 3rd Gen.?

I'll have them out of the box soon and post a report.

A train club friend has just purchased a NOS four car set of the NP NCL cars to go with the two car set he had; so, we'll soon run his cars with my AAs. Should be fun.

Googled the number you gave above, went to a worthpoint page, the picture looked like it had lift rings but no mirrors on A-Unit.

Sounds fun.  Love to see a video of the train running.

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