Key Model Imports FT photo review

 

Quite an engine!  That must have caused some excitement coming through town.

Excellent detail! Fidelity to prototype.

And magnificent paint scheme!

       
       


Just like the prototype!

Guys, these FTs look fantastic.  I'm not missing out on the next set!  Just placed a reservation with Roger for an F3 A-B MoPac set.

       
       



Oh they are Greg!

You will not be disappointed at all!!

Erik, are most folks running these straight DC or DCC?

 

Thanks...gregg

I am not sure. So far I am DC with plans for DCC

Waiting on a blue/yellow Santa Fe freight set , but hoping a D+RGW set pops up - or maybe order one of the later run units . These are gorgeous models . Appreciate you posting photos of the different roads as they come in Erik.

          Bryan

Bryan, only 2 A/B sets were produced in DRGW. The second was hanging around with Roger Lewis a month ago. The builder built mine and nicely built an extra pair.. I suppose they had extra decals and parts? Same with the MoP units; only one quad unit set. Rare as hens teeth. I will ask Roger if he has that extra DRGW set left.

Thanks Erik - I usually stick to freight engines , but man these units are just too nice to resist .

O-120 minimum to run my new Key FT's are 60" radius.

Erik - Regarding your statement in the CZ coupling thread.  

 

The FT's really hook up tight!  Did the D&RGW FT's use drawbar or coupler between the A & B?  I think it was a coupler, but I could be wrong.  

 

The Santa Fe units have all couplers (as prototypical).  Dummy couplers between the A and B, Kadees between the two B's.  Coupling the A & B is a bear.  Any ideas on how to ease the coupling experience?

 

That C&NW FT is another handsome unit.

Howard, those ATSF units are all equipped with couplers; ATSF refused drawbars. Most roads used the drawbar connection between the A/B. Most dumped that practice as you know early on. My #5484 A/B DRGW set was the only pair that remained drawbared assigned to Prospector service until 1964 when traded to EMD. DRGW converted to couplers on all the rest of the FTs and added ballast, re-geared and shoved them into helper service.  Yes tight connections. No 5' gap between these miniatures. The concept is as real as it gets in scale. Most buyers of these fine miniatures are operating on layouts with at least 64" radius so it's not an issue. Even Jeff's modest layout has large enough radius for most any model. My PRB Daylight cars do complain but nothing else does. O/72 is completely out of the question. And even 54" radius or O-108 is too tight for the lion share of scale miniature 1/48 equipment. Yes these new Key units need a minimum of 60" to run.

Radius isn't the issue, I think my minimum is a 72" radius (0-144).  Lowest number turnout is #8.

 

What I'm referring to is the not so simple act of coupling and uncoupling the A and B units.  Uncoupling the back to back B's are easy because they are Kadees.  The A to B unit couplers are dummy couplers.  (I think that's because there isn't enough room for the Kadee box.  

 

It seems like you need to compress the diaphragms to couple or uncouple.  I was wondering if there was a good method that would make it easy and prevent the diaphragms from scratching each other.  I've been slipping paper in between the diaphragms to prevent scratches when coupling.  I've only done so a couple of times.    

Yeah it's tough with those dummy couplers. Ugly! I had to O-5-O and contort to connect. Like the PA's too darn realistic! I have a pair of nippers lets just cut that detail off.

I jest!



       

Thanks Erik.  

 

It will get better when I finish laying track and wiring.  I don't have the tracks laid that are closest to the edge.  When I do, I'll be able to do the coupling when it's much closer without reaching.  Right now the track is at least a couple of feet from the edge. 

 

 

Brought forward for reference