Who makes the Best "mass produced" 3R Scale EMD F units?

My choices in F units are Lionel and MTH Premier. I like them equally, and have a number of F3 and F7 AA, ABA and ABBA sets from each. All are high quality engines and I have had minimal operating issues with them over the years. Can't wait to receive my MTH Premier Lehigh Valley Black Diamond F3 ABA special run from Mr. Muffin, which just arrived at his store, and my MTH Premier Jersey Central F3 ABA special run from Patrick's Trains later this year.

Pat 

@CentralFan1976 posted:

Still the gold standard, @John Sethian.

Thanks Mario.  And I have benefited from your expertise as well!

3D printed cab interior for Lionel Sharks, done by Mario

Jim: I think your inquiry and thread here has blossomed into interesting and informative reading. For example, fixed pilots are not a big deal to me, as I prefer swiveling pilots on O scale diesels. Yet, many think fixed pilots are the way to go. I started out with Lionel (have had only one MTH diesel) and prefer its TMCC/Legacy command control over MTH’s DCS. And I really like Lionel’s sounds.

So, I think it all comes down to a matter of your preferences and what you would be comfortable operating.

Thanks once again to ALL the contributors to this topic.  The more you guys post the more I am learning!

Vern - I couldn't agree with you more.

Mario - After seeing those Cab Interiors I had to take a cold shower!  Well it is about 100 degrees in my apartment right now, that could also have had something to do with it.  LOL

Larry - Leapin' Lizards, those F-Units, the photography and your layout WOW!!!

Joe - Thanks for posting the pictures of the "Purple Unicorn".  You really started Something.

JR Junction - Based on the above, my right arm and leg should arrive next Tuesday as Payment for those Warbonnet's.  Just Kiddin', they are out of my price range.

Although if they were CB&Q, D&RGW, or WP and I could use them to pull both my Atlas 2R CZ and K-Line 3R CZ I might have to scrape the money together somehow.

Melgar - I had noticed the flaking paint on the pilot when looking at the original photo.  Thanks for the update.

If I missed anyone I apologize, the heat is getting to me!

@MainLine Steam posted:

Thanks once again to ALL the contributors to this topic.  The more you guys post the more I am learning!

Mario - After seeing those Cab Interiors I had to take a cold shower!  Well it is about 100 degrees in my apartment right now, that could also have had something to do with it.  LOL

I don't want to hijack the thread, but if you want to see the progression from Lionel sharks to @John Sethian's 2-rail masterpieces that made the cover of MR magazine; check it out here: How I did it... 2 railing and detailing the Lionel Legacy PRR sharks

Meanwhile, I've seen the MTH 2-rail ATSF F units in person at @JR Junction Train & Hobby; they're gorgeous!

Thanks!

- Mario

I own Santa Fe F7 ABBA sets from GGD and MTH.  The GGD locomotives include great detail, A unit fixed pilots, all powered units, and enough pulling power to pull the walls down.  Just my opinion, but the silver finish on my GGD locs is too dull.  The MTH locomotives include a gorgeous silver finish,  premounted but exchangeable A unit movable pilots,  unpowered B units, and of course came at a much lower total cost vs. GGD.  Both run great.

Thanks Gabob and Mario, more good information.

Thank you to ALL.  Due to all the contributions, I think has become a good resource.  I will "go out on a limb" and say, there might be some other modelers that want to add an EMD F Unit to their RR empire.

Funny, the first thing I think of when someone mentions 3R is a "Classic" Lionel Warbonnet.  Maybe it's just me ("talkin' bout my Generation")?