Bachmann DCC F7's?

[Cajonpassfan]

Anybody here admit to owning the new F7's by Bachmann? How do they run??
I'm just interested in the powered chassis, they are available cheap.
Thanks, for any feedback.
Otto K.

[u18b]

If you're asking for opinions....

These are some of the worst modern locos you can buy.
You will regret it.

May run adequately at first.... but they are a ticking time bomb.

Every plastic axle in those locos will be split one day.

Cheap for a reason.

[peteski]

Mark's review is available at http://spookshow.net/loco/bachf7.html
Unfortunately he doesn't show the truck's construction.

So, even the latest run uses those prone-to-splitting axle-tubes with integral gear?

The only glimpse of the truck's internals is small portion of the black gear visible in this photo.  Not enough to see how the wheelset is constructed.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, Spookshow sez " Performance on this latest version is simply outstanding in every way. Seriously, they run as smooth as butter and as quiet as a mouse. Pickup is perfect, throttle response is nimble".. etc etc.

It doesn't get any better than that, that's why I'm asking; do any of you actually own and run one of these, as opposed to having opinions about old Bachmann crap...
Otto K.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I have played with a few before. The first Plus and Spectrum runs had the Nylon white plastic axles that cracked. These were corrected sometime after 2005 when black gears were used instead. The latest DCC version should not have the gear cracking issues. Recently, Bachmann has been using white gears again, but I believe they are Delern and not Nylon.

[u18b]

Well, Spookshow sez " Performance on this latest version is simply outstanding in every way. Seriously, they run as smooth as butter and as quiet as a mouse. Pickup is perfect, throttle response is nimble".. etc etc.

It doesn't get any better than that, that's why I'm asking; do any of you actually own and run one of these, as opposed to having opinions about old Bachmann crap...
Otto K.

Gotcha.

Sorry for the mis-read.

[phil55]

I have one. Very smooth runner!!

[brokemoto]

I have an A-A pair.  For some reason, the B&O B-units were not available upon the initial issue in the Washington-Baltimore Area.

They ran very well until they fried their decoders.  I am not a DCC user.  These are not the first B-mann decoders that I have fried on DC.  Once I removed the fried decoders, they ran very nicely, again.  The funny thing about B-mann power with the factory "smart" decoders is that some of them run poorly on DC and much better once the decoders come out.  The GE industrial switchers come to mind.  Some of them run well either way.  The EM-1 and the USRA heavy 4-8-2s and the F-7s come to mind.

My pair has more than a little run time on it and they run well.  The slow speed control is very good.  I would recommend them to anyone.

In all honesty, I prefer the IMs, but there is nothing wrong with the B-manns latest version.  I was somewhat less-than-impressed with the SPECTRUM and the PLUS were disasters, although some people have informed me that Bachpersonn does sell replacement geared wheelsets for them and that they are not expensive.

[rrjim1]

I own 2 of the EL F7A locos, they have several hours on them on my DCC layout and run great. 

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks guys. Feedback appreciated. I'm just looking for RTR power for my track cleaning train, a vacuum car and sleds to run around the layout ocassionally. At forty bucks a pop, the DCC equipped B units may be just what the doctor ordered...
Otto K.

[Mark5]

Thanks guys. Feedback appreciated. I'm just looking for RTR power for my track cleaning train, a vacuum car and sleds to run around the layout ocassionally. At forty bucks a pop, the DCC equipped B units may be just what the doctor ordered...
Otto K.

For this purpose they should perform well!

Mark

[peteski]

Thanks guys. Feedback appreciated. I'm just looking for RTR power for my track cleaning train, a vacuum car and sleds to run around the layout ocassionally. At forty bucks a pop, the DCC equipped B units may be just what the doctor ordered...
Otto K.

$40 a pop for DCC equipped F7s?!  Wasn't Bachmann's MSRP price on the like $999.99?   

[MK]

$40???  Where?

[Cajonpassfan]

$40 a pop for DCC equipped F7s?!  Wasn't Bachmann's MSRP price on the like $999.99?   

Lol, Peteski, you do exaggerate, but not by much😂
Bachmann is a mystery to me, they are all over the map. They do make some pretty nice models, and then there are the "new" old time cars with the "truss rods" the size drain pipes. And the pricing?
It's like there are multiple units within Bmann, each with a different philosophy and understanding of the hobby market. But every time I write them off, they deliver something very respectable I can use, like the S-4's. Go figure.
Otto

[Cajonpassfan]

$40???  Where?

Just google "trainworld"
The A units are ten bucks more.
Otto K.