Santa Fe Freight (Blue) F-3s or F-7s

[Anonymous]

Does any manufacture currently produce Santa Fe freight (blue ) F-3s or F-7s?

[Chris F]

I am not aware of any current product, but I thought I'd mention Lionel's #18117 A-A set from 1993 (Santa Fe F-3 in freight blue). This was followed by a #18121 dummy B unit in 1994, and a #18122 dummy B unit with Railsounds II in 1995.

Asking prices on LCCA's eTRACK online buy/sell section range from $225 for an A-A set without box to $590 for the A-A set with both B units.

[mpzpw3]

Mth also produced this paint scheme in 2000. it was an ABA consist with protosounds 1.The catalogue number is 20-2219-1, 2000, vol. 1 catalogue, and can still be seen on MTH's website. the set retailed for $600.00 new. I bought mine used and working for $250.00 including shipping, and it arrived last Tuesday night. It is a beautiful engine, and operates supurb!! If you have to go this route, beware electronic problems, especially with this engine. In this case, used may be better than NOS, due to the proto-sound battery problems.
Also, in the early 80's, Williams made a blue and yellow Santa Fe F-7 AA set. Nobody knows anything about this engine, though. I remember seeing it advertised in Model Railroader magazine when I was a kid, so they did exsist.
Right now, in my opinion, Williams may be our best hope to produce a freight version of the F-3 or F-7 in the next few years.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know why Santa Fe had different colors for their passenger engines and freight engines? Other lines may have done the same, but I am personally familiar with ATSF as they were the RR that went thru my town (Pampa, Tx). I always thought the freight blue were neat!

[Anonymous]

Swankeith--

That was a not-uncommon practice in the early days. Other examples that immediately come to mind are SLSF, NKP, CBQ/FWD/CS, SP/SLSW, CRIP, MKT, MP/TP, and probably more if you think about it. Haven't seen anything definitive on this but it probably had to do with the marketing depts wanting to differentiate the product lines. Note also that lots of co's had the switchers painted in entirely different schemes ranging from simple black to more elaborate designs. Remember, if you get picky, early ATSF had at least 4 different schemes: psgr road, frt road (several varieties), road switcher and yard switcher. It wasn't until the 60's that they started consolidating the paint jobs. Most companies dumped the multiple and/or elaborate paint schemes in the interest of reducing expenses. Enjoy the variety!

[mpzpw3]

Sunbird train mart in Colorado Springs is advertising the blue and yellow MTH santa fe f-3s in their lastest mailing. If interested, you might give them a call.

[Anonymous]

I am not a seller but ebay does have some blue Sante Fe trains being sold...Real nice too..

[Anonymous]

I purchased an NEW IN THE BOX A-B-A Lionel set 6-18117/18118 & 18121 never run for $260.00 on EBAY Sept 2003. So keep your eyes open.

I just checked EBAY and there is a Lionel set of 6-18117 Santa Fe AA F3's item # 3180310129 up for bid until Mar 14th. Check them out..

[tsu sam]

MTH lists a Premier series ATSF F-3 ABA (20-2485-1) in the Blue warbonnet scheme, scheduled to ship in May, 2004. List is around $650.