How are the Proto 1000 EMD F3? and is there a better model for a similar price

[Great Northern Fan 54]

I am interested in using them since they are nice looking and can use Athearn parts. I also want to know if there's a better model for around $70.

[n012944]

For that price take a look at an older Stewart model.  While the detail is not great by todays standards, it is about equal to a 1000.  The Kato drive on the Stewart model is one of the quietest out there, and better than the Proto.

[mbinsewi]

The yellow box Atlas with the Kato drive would also be a good choice.  Look for Made in Japan on the box, or on the bottom of the trucks.

Mike.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

mbinsewi

The yellow box Atlas with the Kato drive would also be a good choice.  Look for Made in Japan on the box, or on the bottom of the trucks.

Mike.

 

Mike, Atlas never made an F3?

If you're not real detail picky, the Stewart suggestion is a good one for an F3. The shells are very good, but lack applied detail parts, the drives are very good.

Sheldon

 

[tstage]

And Cal Scale makes a superdetailing kit (metal grab irons, handrails, etc.) for both the A & B Stewart shells that really make them look good.  Here are the Cal Scale PNs for those kits:

• A-unit: 190-519
• B-unit: 190-520

Tom

[Great Northern Fan 54]

So I will look for the Stewarts, Are they configured for the Great Northern's Passenger F3s?

[tankertoad135]

Well, I was looking at the Stewart F3s, and they appear to be the freight version.  You can go to this page on the GN Historical Society web page to access GN's PAX F3s.

http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/

[mbinsewi]

How can you tell if a Stewart has the Kato drive?  without having your hands on the model to inspect.?

Or do all Stewarts have the Kato drive?

Mike.

[wjstix]

It depends a little on how much time you want to put into the engine. For $70 you can get a 15-20 year old Stewart or LL Proto 1000 F-unit, then do a hardwire conversion to DCC and drill a bunch of small holes to add handrails and grabirons etc., then add the correct GN details. Otherwise, for $130-140 or so, you could buy a recent Walthers Proto F-unit with all the details in place, DCC-ready (plug and play). Shopping around, you might even find a good deal on a DCC/sound unit.

[tstage]

mbinsewi

Or do all Stewarts have the Kato drive?

Mike.

Older Stewarts came the Kato drive.  The "new" Stewarts (before Bowser) had Canon or Buehler motors.  While some claim that the Kato motors are the best, I find the Canon & Buehler equally smooth and quiet.

Tom

[mbinsewi]

Thanks Tom.

Mike.

[emdmike]

I still hold any older model, be it Atlas or Stewart with the Kato drive above the later China clones of said drive.  They come close and are smooth and quiet, but the Kato version just have an overall smoothness that I have yet to see a model equil right out of the box.  The Stewart/Kato F3's are really nice and ready to be super detailed to your heart's content.     Mike the Aspie

[G Paine]

Also, some of the later Proto 1000 locos had cracked drive gears; this happened shortly before Walthers bought LifeLke. Replacement gears are available as well as entire wheel sets including the gears