Key Model Imports FT photo review

These videos were taken by Dave at the factory testing the new FT's.

Absolutely stunning!

 

Norm

Lash ups! It's fun to watch a long awaited lash up take shape! Yay!

It is neat to visit these locations. In these photos they are over 60 apart!

Hi Erik • I enjoyed seeing this 2 - Rail in action. With the video and even the photos were very helpful to see this Rio Grande. Well done.

THANKS GARY!

wow Erik great pics! what a stunning model!!! thanks for posting.

Very nice.

Whoo Whoooo!     There is just nothing as soul-satisfying as O Scale! And a 4 unit ABBA diesel to boot!   The inspection lights on the trucks is a very eye-catching detail!

Presume the A/B units are draw-barred?

Mark S,

 

Yes those inspection lights are awesome! Can't wait to see the WP units in old school

green and yellow!

 

ncng

Lights galore!

http://youtu.be/1LRg5aZQ26o




       

If the modelers do not demand better quality models the importers/manufacturers will not give them better models.They assume we are satisfied with whatever they give us if we do not demand better. Be prepared for higher prices though!

One of Jeff's new FT's doing her duties on the High Plains Route today.

Love that Mopac, one of the first FT's I've seen without dynamic brakes.

 

 

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Erik - The track sounds are great!  

Erik you need to STOP THIS KEY STUFF IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!

i am trying to limit myself(i can't believe i actually used the word limit) to eastern steam locomotives but your continual posting of these FT's is starting to wear me down. continue this and i will be asking you for a loan!

I will be asking you for a loan!

 

You'll be happy you did.

Marker so do you think the Bank of Erik will approve my loan?

Let's hope.

 

On the other hand, Key is going to be doing F units.  There is time to save for them.  I think it will be at least a year out.

       
       


If it had any money I am sure it would.

Here's one more for the collection.  Just arrived!

  

That's fantastic Howard!




       

I think they got the sculpt on the point of these models perfect!

Key Model Imports is the best man!

I think it's fantastic that Key did the first set of Santa Fe FT's as delivered, and how they looked when they toured the Santa Fe.  Original headlight, first style dynamic brake roof appliance without the front and rear boxes, tool box, blacked out numbers on the 101, couplers on all units, etc. 

 

Erik - If there wouldn't have been a ceiling in you picture above, I don't think I would have thought it was a model.  

Hey Howard, I just pulled the instructions out of the box. I missed them they are under the firemans seat.



       
       

That's a gem Erik!

 

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HOLY CAT WHISKERS BATMAN THAT IS AWESOME BRO!

Lovely!





       

Thanks Erik.

 

BTW the gem I was talking about was your Instruction Manual.  Really nice!

Howard, what an amazing set! Beautiful, beautiful!  

Thank you Santiago.

I collect those special literature items. No timetables or magazine ads. Just brochures, operators manuals, CBE's, CLE's, China, promotional materials used at travel agencies and such. The all around stuff you don't normally see. Somewhere I have a metal ID fob from a new delivery 1941 FT DRGW somewhere. Cool stuff and my main focus in the hobby is the history. Replication and historical authenticity and accuracy; a 3D storybook our models are. A chance to see them again outside our vast book collections.

Your quad unit set is breathtaking! Wow!

Thanks for buying it!

I'm sure you can get lost in the things you collect.  Good choices.  I also really enjoy the history.

 

There's a lot to look at on the Key engine.  I haven't gotten to the interior yet.  From what I've seen, it looks amazing.  I did run it a bit.  I wanted to see the seven bulb headlight.

 

 

I love those multibulb headlights!

How is the multi-bulb headlight accomplished?   A 7 hole "plate" with a large bulb behind, or 7 small bulbs?  Totally cool detail!

Mark, It's seven small bulbs.

 

Quite an engine!  That must have caused some excitement coming through town.

Excellent detail! Fidelity to prototype.

And magnificent paint scheme!

       
       


Just like the prototype!

Guys, these FTs look fantastic.  I'm not missing out on the next set!  Just placed a reservation with Roger for an F3 A-B MoPac set.

       
       



Oh they are Greg!

You will not be disappointed at all!!

Erik, are most folks running these straight DC or DCC?

 

Thanks...gregg

I am not sure. So far I am DC with plans for DCC

Waiting on a blue/yellow Santa Fe freight set , but hoping a D+RGW set pops up - or maybe order one of the later run units . These are gorgeous models . Appreciate you posting photos of the different roads as they come in Erik.

          Bryan

Bryan, only 2 A/B sets were produced in DRGW. The second was hanging around with Roger Lewis a month ago. The builder built mine and nicely built an extra pair.. I suppose they had extra decals and parts? Same with the MoP units; only one quad unit set. Rare as hens teeth. I will ask Roger if he has that extra DRGW set left.

Thanks Erik - I usually stick to freight engines , but man these units are just too nice to resist .

O-120 minimum to run my new Key FT's are 60" radius.

Erik - Regarding your statement in the CZ coupling thread.  

 

The FT's really hook up tight!  Did the D&RGW FT's use drawbar or coupler between the A & B?  I think it was a coupler, but I could be wrong.  

 

The Santa Fe units have all couplers (as prototypical).  Dummy couplers between the A and B, Kadees between the two B's.  Coupling the A & B is a bear.  Any ideas on how to ease the coupling experience?

 

That C&NW FT is another handsome unit.

Howard, those ATSF units are all equipped with couplers; ATSF refused drawbars. Most roads used the drawbar connection between the A/B. Most dumped that practice as you know early on. My #5484 A/B DRGW set was the only pair that remained drawbared assigned to Prospector service until 1964 when traded to EMD. DRGW converted to couplers on all the rest of the FTs and added ballast, re-geared and shoved them into helper service.  Yes tight connections. No 5' gap between these miniatures. The concept is as real as it gets in scale. Most buyers of these fine miniatures are operating on layouts with at least 64" radius so it's not an issue. Even Jeff's modest layout has large enough radius for most any model. My PRB Daylight cars do complain but nothing else does. O/72 is completely out of the question. And even 54" radius or O-108 is too tight for the lion share of scale miniature 1/48 equipment. Yes these new Key units need a minimum of 60" to run.

Radius isn't the issue, I think my minimum is a 72" radius (0-144).  Lowest number turnout is #8.

 

What I'm referring to is the not so simple act of coupling and uncoupling the A and B units.  Uncoupling the back to back B's are easy because they are Kadees.  The A to B unit couplers are dummy couplers.  (I think that's because there isn't enough room for the Kadee box.  

 

It seems like you need to compress the diaphragms to couple or uncouple.  I was wondering if there was a good method that would make it easy and prevent the diaphragms from scratching each other.  I've been slipping paper in between the diaphragms to prevent scratches when coupling.  I've only done so a couple of times.    

Yeah it's tough with those dummy couplers. Ugly! I had to O-5-O and contort to connect. Like the PA's too darn realistic! I have a pair of nippers lets just cut that detail off.

I jest!



       

Thanks Erik.  

 

It will get better when I finish laying track and wiring.  I don't have the tracks laid that are closest to the edge.  When I do, I'll be able to do the coupling when it's much closer without reaching.  Right now the track is at least a couple of feet from the edge. 

 

 

Brought forward for reference