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OK Scott, We've got the E-7's, FL-9s are on the way, rumor is that FP-7's are in the queue. Isn't it time that we get FT's. 23 Class 1 railroads had them, the 1096 units exceed the combined production of the E-7's, FL-9's, FP-7's and FP-9's. Plus it had two different B units. The short B unit  was really different. Considered one of the most important locomotives ever produced it was the diesel that started the end of steam.  I'll take a set or two in O&W and maybe one in demonstrator if it was made.  Gotta love that chocolate and yellow color scheme. We need to hear from everyone who wants an FT.

428px-GM_103_at_Railfair

FT 601

 

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Last edited by MikeCiar
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Clearly there is a market for both Key and Sunset for the FT units, bear in mind most of Sunsets models go to the 3 rail market and although every 2 railer who wants to own FTs would love to have Keys the Sunset models give them the opportunity to own sets to meet there budget. If 2 rail O scale has had growth in the last decade it is the result of the plastic mfgs producing 1/4 scale models for all O guage. The brass market as it is today shoud remain stable for collectors and modelers IMO.

Guys,

 

Brass, especially Key Model Imports are and will always be the benchmark in any scale diesels, period. I agree, a little biased.. .... seriously if you want a perfect model that runs like nothing else on Earth.. The KMI F units Roger spoke of will be your best bet. It is a sure thing, they are being planned right away.

 

Roger, there is no comparison between the FABULOUS KMI diesels and the rest of the crowd. The running qualities alone put KMI products above and far beyond anything on the market. Your drive is SPECTACULAR; simply unbelievable, a collector or modeler needs to see it operate to believe it.

 

Guys, I have a set reserved of the ATSF Warbonnet ABBA FT's from KMI for my Mail Train and hopefully someday a 1939-1940 Chief, I wish I could afford to get the Whiskers too.. If Golden Gate makes FT's it will allow us to add those extra units we want..My wife would kill me if I ordered two sets of ABBA FT's from KMI! YIKES! My funeral arrangements will be made public on the OGR Forum I am sure if this occurs.

 

LOVE THAT PICTURE MARKER, LOVE IT! That would make a nice painting!

 

Brass, especially in O Scale will always have a strong market. All it takes is one in person look at these things.. see them run.. the attention to every little detail, road specific or not... the lighting... the use of stainless etched badge work... the feel... the painstaking hand built look... whew... And any non-believer will change his or her mind. 

 

The Early E-Units are almost here guys and they will blow your mind, I mean WOW!

Originally Posted by PRRTrainguy:
Originally Posted by John Sethian:

I vote for 3rd rail to do the FTs, but only if its after a PRR E2b

 

E2b


Agreed, we SPF's need this model BADLY.

 

mikeg


Neat Electric Loco..  but We really need everyone to Focus on FT's.. repeat after me.. FT's, FT's, FT's  focus... focus... focus

Originally Posted by Richard E:

Hasn’t anybody noticed that MTH produced Premier FTs? They have made at least 20 different Roadnames, some in more than one paint scheme. A brass model would cost considerably more and appeal to a smaller customer base.

Richard, we're asking for a plastic 3rd Rail model like their E7 with the horizontal drive.  The MTH model has issues -- the major one being the truck spacing is noticeably off.  Also, does MTH even offer these in 2 rail?

 

Brian

 

Originally Posted by Lackawanna1223:
Originally Posted by Richard E:

Hasn’t anybody noticed that MTH produced Premier FTs? They have made at least 20 different Roadnames, some in more than one paint scheme. A brass model would cost considerably more and appeal to a smaller customer base.

Richard, we're asking for a plastic 3rd Rail model like their E7 with the horizontal drive.  The MTH model has issues -- the major one being the truck spacing is noticeably off.  Also, does MTH even offer these in 2 rail?

 

Brian

 

 

Brian

The truck spacing on FTs is different from other F-units. 26’6" on FTs and 30’0" on the rest of the Fs. I have not measured the MTH models but it appears to be close. The large overhang at the rear of the B-unit looks odd, but is correct for FT A-B sets. (A-B-A sets had a shorter B-unit) As far as 2 rail goes, MTH would probably produce them if they thought they could generate enough sales.

 

Rich

I am not against 3rd Rail making FTs, I hope they do a quality job. My point is someone already produced some. Lionel’s aren’t half-bad but are not up to the high standard many have come to expect. The Right of Way tools are still out there somewhere, K-line was going to use them but ran into a snag.

This conversation is interesting. It goes to show you how far this hobby has progressed in the last 15 years. When I returned to O gauge 3 rail from HO, I’ll bet 90% of the 3 railers had no idea that EMD produced F-units other than F3s.never mind the FTs. Now you have modelers looking at the available products with a critical eye for detail and quality and are asking for new items.

To one of the worst issues with the MTH FT is the undersized cab side window that does not line up properly with the cab door window.  The number boards are also not very well done, in fact as rdunniii has stated, the engine is very toy like.  When MTH upgraded their other F units, the FT was not included.

 

In this picture you can see how poorly the side cab windows were done.  This casting does not compare favorably to the cab units being manufactured by all the manufacturers attempting scale F units. 

 

I don't think that when it was originally done, MTH made a very serious attempt at getting it very accurate.  It was a different market back then.

 

You can see how the cab side window is undersized and doesn't line up properly.

 

 

 

rift2

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Red Block

 

Would you prefer your Northern Pacific FTs as 5400s or 6000s?

 

Personally, I'd rather see MTH upgrade their FTs and start offering a 2 rail version. 

 

Hopefully Sunset will concentrate on locomotives that have not already been offered.  I would be interested in FP7s, FP9s or F9s.  And I hope they can refine their engineering and manufacturing processes as they continue to produce diesels.  If I had ordered a CB&Q E7 I would be very unhappy with the quality of decoration on the nose.  Smudged graphics just won't do in this day and age.  Sunset also needs to make sure their diesels weight as much as the competition so they can pull like the competition.

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