Roof differences between MTH F-3s ...

Kerrigan posted:

Noticed the fans on my previous NP ABBA set from MTH are raised, and the latest re-issue has fans that are flush with the roof.  Is this protypical? 

Yes.

Did the F-7s come with different roof fans depending on some option ordered? 

Generally speaking, the EMD F3 units had the "high fans". The EMD F7 models have the lower fans. However, some railroads, like Santa Fe, up-graded their F3 units with the later, lower fans, as well as the stainless air intake grills.

Or is this just a cost-cutting result?

Maybe the earlier Fs are F-3 and the later "re-issue" is F-7 ... that would account for the roof fan differences?

Kerrigan posted:

Maybe the earlier Fs are F-3 and the later "re-issue" is F-7 ... that would account for the roof fan differences?

I believe that is what I indicated. Maybe you should check and see whether you actually have F3 or F7 units.

Interesting.  I bought the original NP F units with the North Coast Limited set, then picked up a B unit from the new issue and it's the one with the flat fans.  I'll dig back in the catalogs and see what they listed as when sold, F3 and/or F7 ... it's like playing detective with some of these things!

MTH offered Premier Northern Pacific F3's in the Loewy scheme in 2007. 

Premiere Loewy scheme F7's were offered in 2014.

Rusty