bachmann F7

[Anonymous]

hey thanks for all the info you guys. i was wondering if it was one of their old F9s b/c i had heard some where that they originaly were all wheel drive. but the trucks are most definitlay the newer ones used on their plus and spectrum series trains. this would lead me to beleive that its one of the new ones from 99 that james mentioned. the motor seems to run well. i have to pick up some new grease for the trucks before i put it all back together. i took it apart b/c the trucks were full of grease that had picked up a ton of dirt, dry grass, and hair. so thats all been cleaned out now and awaiting a lil bit of grease. once we get it running its just gonna bw set aside untill we can find a good shell for it at a train show. the cheepo shell it came with is missing all the ladders and the front plow area.

once again thanks for all the info =D

[Anonymous]

You could have an early F9 from the early 70s.
When Bachmann first introduced the F9 it had 8 wheel drive and 8 wheel electrical pickup.
Are the trucks held in place with a pin that also acts as an axle for one of the gears?
Are the worm assemblies mounted in the frame rather than the trucks?

[Anonymous]

Mr.Mathyou,

I also have a version of the very locomotive you describe. It is one of Bachmann's upgraded standard line F-9s. According to my notes, these started being made in 1999 to bring their poor quality "trainset" line (my term) up to a more competitive standard. I agree that the paint on the shell can be alot better than it is. But because of its improved drive it makes a good candidate for a first custom paint job. All one needs to do is sand off the lettering with 2000 grit sand paper, and you have an undecorated shell with which to make a work of art. This same drive is now used in their FT. If you so choose, the upgraded F-9 can be ran in conjuction with the FT. I have only seen this upgraded F-9 in "The Challenger" train set. But I am sure it has been used in other recent Bachmann trainsets sporting an F-9 locomtoive.

Glad I could render some useful information.

James.

[Anonymous]

It might be one of their FTs - I have a Bachmann plus F7 (currently in need of new bodywork after a repainting disaster...) which has the chassis design you describe but has flywheels. I understand that the FT is pretty much identical (diecast frame, can motor, all wheel drive) but has no flywheels. The newer Bachmann diesels (even their normal range) are in my experience excellent runners. I have three of their GP40/GP50 locos (two low nose, one high nose), which run better than some of my Athearn locos - quiet, smooth, excellent slow running - just make sure you get one of the latest examples with body-mounted couplers and full pilots. The addition of flywheels would make these locos Proto 1K-beaters in my opinion

[Anonymous]

Even if it turns out to be a piece of junk, it only cost a buck. Nothing lost, knowledge gained[:)]

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you may have a "Frankenloco" , cobbled together with parts from this and that. Hey, if it runs great and you find a better shell, use it!!![:D]
Sounds like the price was right![^]

[Anonymous]

today at the local electronics flea market my little brother found a bachmann union pacific F7/9 for $1.00. at first glance it looked like a cheepo one (train set stuff) b/c the shell was cast in yellow plastic and there was a bit of red and grey trim, but not in all the right places. but when we took a look inside it had a much better mechinisum that what im used to in a cheep line bachmann. it had a cast zink chassie with a can motor mounted in the center, wiht all wheels picking up and drivieng. the motor is the same one that is used on my bachmann plus U23-7 and spectrum GP-30. the trucks are also exactly the same as the GP-30s. so i was wonderin ing what this was, b/c i thought the plus line F7s had flywheeles and this had none of those, and the shell was too poorly done to be a plus shell (although it could have been swaped).

if any one can give me any help on what this actuly is i would love it. as of now the plan is to get it back together ( i took it apart to clean it) and hold onto it till we find a nicer shell at a train show thats cheep.

thanks,
matt