Opinions or review of MTH 20-20765-1 Santa Fe F3A

Brian,  do you have this locomotive?  If so, how about some photos so we'll know which one you are asking about?

c.sam posted:

Brian,  do you have this locomotive?  If so, how about some photos so we'll know which one you are asking about?

I just bought one and waiting for it to ship, looking now for the dummy A and B units and cars to match. This is the newest 2017 release in Proto 3 .

I'd have to think the molds are still the same?

I believe they introduced the units for separate sale so that they'd have full PS3 sounds and control in each. This older set had a slave I believe?

I have one, the Chrome plated sides released last summer. 

Looks absolutely stunning. I got the powered A and dummy B. Can't pull at all. Quite surprising from an MTH twin motored engine. Maybe I got a lemon but it pulls enough to make me happy. The dummy B is also like a lead weight that probably doesn't help

SJC posted:

I have one, the Chrome plated sides released last summer. 

Looks absolutely stunning. I got the powered A and dummy B. Can't pull at all. Quite surprising from an MTH twin motored engine. Maybe I got a lemon but it pulls enough to make me happy. The dummy B is also like a lead weight that probably doesn't help

How many cars are you pulling? What make cars?

They went really fast... I could've sold another dozen of them.... The plated finish was outstanding.... 

Brian Kotula posted:

SJC posted:

I have one, the Chrome plated sides released last summer. 

Looks absolutely stunning. I got the powered A and dummy B. Can't pull at all. Quite surprising from an MTH twin motored engine. Maybe I got a lemon but it pulls enough to make me happy. The dummy B is also like a lead weight that probably doesn't help

How many cars are you pulling? What make cars?

I have all kinds of cars. The A (with the dummy B) will start spinning wheels with about 4 cars I've found on clean, level track. 

My MTH 20-20765-1 arrived the other day from Mario's Trains (Thanks Mario). I give it test run maybe this weekend. I found and waiting for the dummy B-unit from Grand Central trains and the F3A dummy from JR Junction Trains, I'll post pics of all three when I get the others. It was a real hunt to find these.

Looks sweet Brian! I have the E-8 Super Chief set with the Chrome plating from 2016 and I love them. I have the matching dummy B and powered A as well. Can't beat that Santa Fe ABA look.

Matt what passenger cars are you running with your E-8? I watched a couple of You Tube video's of those E-8's and they look awesome.

Hey Brian, they are the passenger cars that come with the set, plus the add-on vista dome - see the thread below for my pictures and short video.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...34#73509797237484634

The MTH Product numbers: (All are stainless plated)

20-20622-1 - E8 Set - this comes with the #83 A E8 and 4 passenger cars

20-20052-3 - E8 A #84

20-20621-3 - E8 B-Unit #86

20-67276 - Vista Dome Car

Hello Brian.  You might also check out MTH passenger set 20-65288 (and its related add-on cars). They are plated stainless to match the F3s.  I have the Legacy Santa Fe F3s on order. They are supposed to be stainless plated as well. I prefer MTH passenger cars over Lionel (18” is better for my layout and I’m allergic to thumbtack couplers) and have made a superficial search (certainly not as determined as yours!) for the above set. I couldn’t find it, but maybe you can. I was told by my dealer that MTH will likely rerun the stainless plated set after the Legacy F3s come out, so hopefully we’ll both get them eventually. Good luck and enjoy your awesome new engines. 

Hi Sandman, Thanks for the heads up, it looks like those are the cars to get. I'll be looking for them.

It looks like your friends at Mario’s have one of the 2-car add-on packs, but not the whole set. You might have to do like the last time and just seek it out piecemeal. Happy hunting.

Well I got my B unit and dummy F3A unit , they look fantastic. I tried them out on a temporary loop of track with a Z-1000, they sound great and on the carpet the single powered F3A unit pulled the dummy B unit and Dummy F3A unit and 5 MTH Premium Blue comet passenger cars with no problem.

Looks great Brian!, any plans on adding the other "B" unit for an ABBA set?

BNSF-Matt posted:

Looks great Brian!, any plans on adding the other "B" unit for an ABBA set?

I just landed a second B unit 20-20764-3 . I'm awaiting its arrival and now considering a second power A unit if I can locate one, these Sante Fe's are hard to find.

Nice Brian, hard to find, but well worth it IMHO. Post some videos / pics when you get your full config up.

SJC posted:

I have one, the Chrome plated sides released last summer. 

Looks absolutely stunning. I got the powered A and dummy B. Can't pull at all. Quite surprising from an MTH twin motored engine. Maybe I got a lemon but it pulls enough to make me happy. The dummy B is also like a lead weight that probably doesn't help

I too bought the powered A , unpowered B, and a complete set of passenger cars. It would not pull the consist. To make matters worse, there was some corrosion inside the A unit around one of the screws that holds the body onto the chasis, and the smoke unit was shot. Apparently, it had been run a good bit and placed back in the store’s inventory. When questioned, MTH replied that I need two powered A units to pull the consist. Well, I had a Dash 9 that a put behind the B unit. Worked fine. But, I’m irritated that non of the deficiencies were mentioned in the catalog.