Best plastic HO scale F3 & F7

[Anonymous]

There was a time when Stewarts F's were the best plastic. Now there are a lot of highly detailed plastic models on the market. Here in S.A. I can't just stroll into a LHS and see what they all look like before I buy - so I have studied website photos. - but its difficult to know before I order on the interntet

PS : anyone seen the new BLI F's?

[Anonymous]

I bought Stewart F7's years ago and they were beautiful. Now I really like the etched grills I'm seeing on Genesis for instance. SO I splashed out and ordered Genesis WP F3 A/B/B. I hope there great!

It seems to me from pictures that the genesis ATSF units for example have "stainless" plating on the sides - can anyone comment on this?
What manufaturers feature such plating where appropriate?

Thanks, Ryan

[Anonymous]

I'm interested to hear this too - right now I have three brands of F7/FP7 - Athearn BB, Bachmann and E R Models/Roco. The Bachmann Plus is probably the best of the bunch as it's obviously done more than a few miles and is nicely bedded in (bought it used), so I have a 2ft run-on after shutting off from full power. Next would be the E R Models FP7s - good looking, sweet runners - the snag is the rear coupler mount doesn't allow you to close couple them so an AA set ends up with a huge gap between them. Last would be the old BB - not bad runners but high current draw and those sintered iron wheels are a pain (seem to attract gunge). I've been very tempted to buy one or two Athearn Genesis F's but have been put off by some reports that they still have the "growl" - can anyone confirm or deny this?

[cmurray]

The Intermountain F7s are awesome. I have 2 F7A shells and an F7B shell on Stewart drives and 2 F7A shells and an F7B shell on Intermountain drives. The details are great... right down to individual door handles. They come with lots of extra detail parts so you can model virtually any version you want. However, I prefer my units that use the Stewart drives because they seem a bit smoother.

[GN-Rick]

I own several differently manufactured Fs. Stewart's are very good, especially
the drives. Their shells are good too, just not quite state-of-the-art anymore. I
also own a set of Genesis F3s. They, too are very good. My experience with them
is that they are just as quiet as Stewart. I have read that others have found noisy
ones-can't say, myself-mine are quiet. The Genesis shells, IMHO, are the best
available today. My preference, though, is to buy the Highliner shells undecorated,
(what Genesis are made from) and build and detail them to suit my Great
Northern prototype. When done, I will obtain an appropriate drive and fini***he
project. In order of preference, my favorite F drives are: Intermountain first-the
detail and lighting is simply the best that I have seen. They run good as well.
2nd-Stewart-they are a consistently good product and run very well. I have also
used P1K drives. They, too, run good and can be found inexpensively. If available
separately, I would probably use the Genesis drive, too, but it isn't so I don't.

[Texas Zepher]

Not that I'll ever buy an Athearn again but -- There isn't any question in my mind that the Highliner Shells used by Athearn on the Genesis line are the most researched, most accurate, most detailed F units made. Just set an AB of each brand (that are painted the same) out next to each other. It is almost obvious to the casual observer. Highliner spent what, 5 years<?>, making certain they were almost perfect and capabile of accurately representing all the different grill/window/vent arrangements before getting them to production? It really shows. I remember seeing their advertisements and waiting and waiting. . . .

However I still say the original Stewarts with the Kato drive are the best running Fs made. But this question wasn't about how well they ran....

[Anonymous]

The best F-units I have are the ones I have rebuiilt from old Botchmann shells. Custom made drive and run the pants off of the rest I have. But I am finance impaired and what ends up running on may layout might only be available from yours truely.

However I know its not the most advanced. But I am quite fond of the old Carey F-unit shells. Something for a die hard modeler to really get excited about.

James

[cjcrescent]

James;

Couple those Cary bodies with a Hobbytown drive and you'll get something that will flat outpull any three of the others. Ask me how I know!

[Anonymous]

Proto 1000 F3's are some serious runners. They drives are sooooooo sweet and chassis are really heavy. These are the best drives for a cheap price. Now on ebay you could get P1K F3's for under $40 a pair and both powered. I repalced some of my Athearn F7's shells with this chassis. Just pop it on. 1 extra thing like about these are the dash board and light mount. It's placed directly where the lense is and covered in rubber so you wouldn't get all that extra light in the windshield windows unlike Athearns BB. I think i''m going to buy some more right now -lol

[RMax1]

I like the Proto 1000's. $20 they are great. I'm going to try the swapping sheel. Problem with P1K's are the limited selection of roads. A P1K KATY F7 would be great.! The run smooth and quiet.

RMax1

[orsonroy]

I voted other: Highliner shell on a P1K chassis.

[Anonymous]

Athrean genisis definataly