Bachmann F-7s

[eja]

Has anyone played with one of the new Bachmann DCC equipped F-7s? 

[spookshow]

The ones I have are amazing runners. Just really super smooth and super quiet (to the point where they basically emit no sound whatsoever). And for a change, the factory decoder settings are such that they can creep along at amazingly slow speeds (like 5-6 seconds from one tie to the next).



The shells are basically the same as the old Plus/Spectrum versions (including the wide-open pilots), so that will probably scare off some people. The couplers are chassis-mounted E-Z Mates.

Cheers,
-Mark

[eja]

I wonder if Micro-Trains still makes pilot conversion kits?  Anybody know ?

[peteski]

I wonder if Micro-Trains still makes pilot conversion kits?  Anybody know ?

I doub't that the old T-shank MT conversion would fit the current model (equipped with those new giant knuckle couplers).

[CBQ Fan]

Why bother with that big old hole in the nose!  Toy, if you ask me!

[SkipGear]

So this must be a toy.....

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/9/6/5/2965.1303916640.jpg

[spookshow]

Never make fun of a model - somebody will always be able to find a proto picture to make you look silly 

Cheers,
-Mark

[garethashenden]

But Bachmann didn't do Burlington did they?

[Puddington]

Why bother with that big old hole in the nose!  Toy, if you ask me!

I respectfully disagree with that assessment. The Bachmann S4 showed me that they have developed a superior drive train and gear tower to any model currently being offered... The slow speed performance of the S4 was a staggering 1.6 scale mph without cogging or studdering... in DC mode ! That is world class performance. The ad in the newest edition of MR for the Bachmann F7 says it has a new drive train and gear tower - which one can only assume is copied from the S4 - that will provide this model with unsurpassed speed and drive control.

It appears that Bachmann has invested in the "guts' of their products instead of updating the shell; I for one support that approach. Tooling a new shell is expensive and doesn't attract me if the running qualities of the locomotive aren't great. I can modify a pilot so I'd rather they put their dollars into the gear tower and drive train.... and if this F7 performs like the S4 then they will have a winner....

I think "toy" is a bit unfair, given the performance of their last offering. Bachmann's S4 running qualities are class leading and it appears so too will be their F7.

[sizemore]

The latest Bachmann mechs are pretty hot to trot. You can get IM F-7 shells on the bay for roughly $10. While the IM F-7 shell doesnt fit on the Kato chassis, it would be worth knowing if IM shell would fit on the Bachmann chassis to create some running fodder.

The S.

[garethashenden]

Are there B units as well?

[spookshow]

Are there B units as well?

Yes.

-Mark

[nsbob]

I wonder if Micro-Trains still makes pilot conversion kits?  Anybody know ?

I don't think you will find a MT replacement coupler for the Bachmann pilot coupler.  However you may look at Gary Hinshaw's "Notes on body-mount couplers (work-in-progress)" in the Best of the Wire Archives section.  The McHenry N scale couplers and the Full Throttle Z scale couplers use the same type of mounting mechanism as Bachmann couplers and they may work with minor modification.

[spookshow]

The latest Bachmann mechs are pretty hot to trot. You can get IM F-7 shells on the bay for roughly $10. While the IM F-7 shell doesnt fit on the Kato chassis, it would be worth knowing if IM shell would fit on the Bachmann chassis to create some running fodder.

The Bachmann chassis is a little longer than the IM chassis, so it would take a little grinding. And of course, you'd have to lose the Bachmann coupler on the front - way too big for the IM pilot. The width is good, though.

-Mark

[Pennsy]

Bachmann's web site for the F7's is here

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=265_379_930

And I agree the new Bachmann stuff is great. I've got the 44 tonner, RS3 and GP7's, as well as several steamers. And I am just waiting for a Pennsy S4

Jim