N Scale Sound F Units from Intermountain

[Mike Madonna]

For me, I'll stay with my ESU Loksound Select Micro and Sugar Cube speaker install in a "B" unit. Very simple and straight forward. Cost? Less than $100. Good to see IM at least offering sound....

[delamaize]

Oh god......NCL.......Sorry Mr. Wallet.

[sizemore]

Ugh.  Why they always killin' it with the WM numbers.  51 was originally an F-3 that was rebuilt into an F-7, so the carbody will have some variations from the model, chiefly the high-hat fans on the roof.

And not much you can do with the road numbers on the B unit... only one was ever painted R/W/B... but they've covered the original number 408, and the Chessie renumber (7142).  Running them together would require a TARDIS, and hopefully the two wouldn't recognize each other, or else the universe would implode.  That notwithstanding, the B unit will be wrong owing to the 36" dynamic brake fan on the model, not the 48" fan on the original.

I suppose one could get one's drawers in a bunch and cut the lid off a Bachmann B unit, which has the 48" fan, and keep the lowers of the IM unit, using the etched grill screens to mask the repair.

Lee

ALWAYS THE NEGATIVE WAVES MORIARTY! Why don't you dig how beautiful it is around here?!?! We don't have to do through painting something!

I thought that when they were "re-delivered" they had high fans, but subsequent shoppings they removed a fan or two until all were replaced?

#51 in RWB


#52 in RWB


The S.

[wm3798]

I'll concede that 51 might be passable, but you can see 52 has a 48" DB fan.  The WM rostered 7 B units and 14 As that would be spot on to the Intermountain model, at least within a louvre or two...  And the information describing them is no secret (two full books of diesel detail photos plus unlimited on-line resources).

So yeah, they look yummy.  I just hope that there are numeral decals the right size so they can be re-christened something more appropriate.  (I have absolutely no use, under heaven or on earth, for ANYTHING bearing Chessie numbers... )


I'd also like to see IM follow through and do the later phase shell with the 48" brake fan so the 200-series units can be picked up.

Lee

[sizemore]

I'll concede that 51 might be passable, but you can see 52 has a 48" DB fan.  The WM rostered 7 B units and 14 As that would be spot on to the Intermountain model, at least within a louvre or two...  And the information describing them is no secret (two full books of diesel detail photos plus unlimited on-line resources).

So yeah, they look yummy.  I just hope that there are numeral decals the right size so they can be re-christened something more appropriate.  (I have absolutely no use, under heaven or on earth, for ANYTHING bearing Chessie numbers... )


I'd also like to see IM follow through and do the later phase shell with the 48" brake fan so the 200-series units can be picked up.

Lee

Just keeping you honest I agree that the DB fan's are a bummer, I wish they'd also correct the grills between the Phase I & II (horizontal for PH I, FARR for PH II). I don't want to have to slim down a bunch of Plano FARR grills for the PH II units, they are a B!+c4 since they are stainless.

The S.

[Mark5]

Anyone know when they (WM F units) were renumbered? This site suggests after 1975:

http://www.trainweb.org/chessie/faq.htm

That sound right?

Mark

[drgw0579]

N Scale Supply is showing the F's and SD40-2 releases as having ESU/LokSound. 

I had talked to Matt from ESU last March at the Denver train show and he was very aware of the Knowles speakers. 

Bill Kepner

[wm3798]

None of the references I have specify a date, but photos taken with the 7100 series numbers all seem to be after 1975, so it's a safe bet.
Lee

[3DTrains]

Chessie renumbering was 1976 (The Western Maryland Railway in the Diesel Era - Stephen J.Salamon - William E.Hopkins - Old Line Graphics - 1991).

Cheers!
Marc

[reinhardtjh]

N Scale Supply is showing the F's and SD40-2 releases as having ESU/LokSound. 

Bill Kepner

I asked IM on their Facebook page about the F7 sound decoder but no answer as of yet.

[Bruce Bird]

Ugh.  Why they always killin' it with the WM numbers.  51 was originally an F-3 that was rebuilt into an F-7, so the carbody will have some variations from the model, chiefly the high-hat fans on the roof.

And not much you can do with the road numbers on the B unit... only one was ever painted R/W/B... but they've covered the original number 408, and the Chessie renumber (7142).  Running them together would require a TARDIS, and hopefully the two wouldn't recognize each other, or else the universe would implode.  That notwithstanding, the B unit will be wrong owing to the 36" dynamic brake fan on the model, not the 48" fan on the original.

I suppose one could get one's drawers in a bunch and cut the lid off a Bachmann B unit, which has the 48" fan, and keep the lowers of the IM unit, using the etched grill screens to mask the repair.

Lee

At first I went 'Woo-Hoo!'  Glad to see that it wasn't just my prayers answered!  And I haven't been able to find my wallet since.

But I have to agree with Lee- the numbers could've been better selected.  Anyone on board with getting the black numbers on white background in correct size made up on a single sheet so that anyone that wants to renumber them can?  Throw in matching numberboards and I think they would sell.

Bruce

[reinhardtjh]

I asked IM on their Facebook page about the F7 sound decoder but no answer as of yet.

While not definite, IM answered my question on FaceBook:

InterMountain Railway Company:Most likely ESU and it should be designed very much like our HO model where it is easily converted from DC to DCC to DCC w/Sound.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, looks like we got our answer, and personally, I don't like it. The IM newsletter, out today, identifies the sound decoder as MRC. That's disappointing....
Otto K.

[reinhardtjh]

Well, looks like we got our answer, and personally, I don't like it. The IM newsletter, out today, identifies the sound decoder as MRC. That's disappointing....
Otto K.

This is what the release says:

N SCALE SOUND IN FP7/FP9 AND F7 LOCOMOTIVES

The early production of the N scale FP7 and FP9 locomotives were originally offered without sound even though the frame for these locomotives was produced to accept sound boards and speakers. Recently, we have been installing MRC FP7/FP9 decoders on request in these early production models. If you have interest in sound installation or in purchasing the appropriate MRC FP7/FP9 decoder, please contact our service department. All future production of the N scale FP7/FP9 and F3/F7 locomotives will be offered with sound as an option, including the F7's placed on Advance Reservation this month. This month’s release includes six paint schemes not offered before by InterMountain

Reading carefully, you will notice they only talk about the MRC decoders with respect to the FP7/FP9.  When talking about "future production" of the F3/F7 they just say "with sound as an option".  Since they already are specifying ESU as the sound decoder in the upcoming SD40-2's hopefully, they will also do the same with the F3/F7.  With the advance reservations they might have time to change the frame for an ESU decoder (if that's even necessary).

And maybe they are using the sales with MRC decoders vs the pre-sales with ESU decoders to gauge which are used in the future.  There's only one way to know and I doubt Intermountain will say.

[wmcbride]

Brooklyn Locomotive Works is listing the new F7 releases as using LokSound.

http://blwnscale.com/im-f7.htm

If Intermountain uses MRC, it's a no-sale for me.