Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Favorite F Units?

11447 views
69 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by SouthPenn on Friday, September 16, 2016 9:00 AM

Old Thumper

BAR Grey & Blue

 

 

Agreed. This paint scheme is one of the best.

Is it available in HO from anybody? 

South Penn
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, September 16, 2016 5:22 AM

doctorwayne

The colours are good, but the layout of them looks incomplete, to my eye, at least.

Wayne

 

Wayne, are your trying to raise the BAR?   Laugh

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, September 16, 2016 12:50 AM

The colours are good, but the layout of them looks incomplete, to my eye, at least.

Wayne

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Thursday, September 15, 2016 6:31 PM

Rich,

Yes

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, September 15, 2016 6:19 PM

Old Thumper

BAR Grey & Blue

 

 

I agree. That is a very good looking color scheme.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2016
  • 74 posts
Posted by Old Thumper on Thursday, September 15, 2016 4:04 PM

BAR Grey & Blue

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Thursday, September 15, 2016 2:07 PM

Whistling

There are several beautiful paint schemes but nothing quite does it properly like the Western Pacific silver and orange.  It is beyond the reach of others... In my opinion.

Johnboy out...............

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 1,345 posts
Posted by ATSFGuy on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 7:36 PM

My favorite F units are the F3/F7 Genesis models from Athearn.

 

1. Santa Fe Warbonnet (Red/Silver)

 

2. Santa Fe Freight (Blue/Yellow) 

 

3. Missouri-Kansas-Texas Phase II  (Crimson Red/Grey/Sloan Yellow nose) *

* This paint scheme is pretty rad by the way! When my friend saw those colors, his response was "okay that red is AWESOME!

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • 598 posts
Posted by tin can on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:26 PM

mobilman44

Some of the younger posters may not know about how two color schemes got popularized way back when (late '40s) and were impressed upon us kids of that time............

Lionel worked with builder EMD (may have been called EMC back then), the Santa Fe, and the New York Central to build Lionel's new F units in those two color schemes.  They even got the RRs to pony up some for the cost of the dies!

And pretty much everyone soon saw these locos - either in their basement, stores, many tv shows, magazine and later on tv ads. 

Their popularity soared (more so the colorful ATSF), and many versions of those F units were produced over the next 15 years or so.

 

I wanted those Lionel Santa Fe Fs in the worst way as a kid.  Now that I can afford them, not so much.  Besides, I have HO versions galore.

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
  • Member since
    April 2011
  • 649 posts
Posted by LensCapOn on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 1:35 PM

So this isn't a Stewart v. Genesis thing?

 

 

(So why isn't it on Trains?)   (heh!)

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 12:34 PM

Hello all,

For me it's gotta be the Royal Gorge Route Railroad F units. I'm a sucker for those F-B units too!

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,862 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 11:16 AM

1. AT&SF silver warbonnets

2. NYC black lightning stripes

3. SP black widow

Mike

  • Member since
    April 2015
  • 127 posts
Posted by Mheetu on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 5:51 AM

PRR FP7 in Brunswick Green and gold strip

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 5:35 AM

Some of the younger posters may not know about how two color schemes got popularized way back when (late '40s) and were impressed upon us kids of that time............

Lionel worked with builder EMD (may have been called EMC back then), the Santa Fe, and the New York Central to build Lionel's new F units in those two color schemes.  They even got the RRs to pony up some for the cost of the dies!

And pretty much everyone soon saw these locos - either in their basement, stores, many tv shows, magazine and later on tv ads. 

Their popularity soared (more so the colorful ATSF), and many versions of those F units were produced over the next 15 years or so.

 

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 3:24 AM

While there was several F unit schemes I liked I gotta go with NYC's black or gray Lightening Stripes scheme.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • 179 posts
Posted by LIRRs on Monday, September 12, 2016 8:02 PM

NJT F7A (my Thanks to Intermountain).

All the best.

Joe F

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 12, 2016 7:39 PM

NYC lightning stripes by far favorite.  After that Boston and Maine Maroon/Gold and Maine Central Green/Gold.

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • 598 posts
Posted by tin can on Monday, September 12, 2016 5:26 PM

Santa Fe warbonnets in all of their iterations; red bonnets; yellow bonnets and blue bonnets.  They looked good on F units and modern power, as well.

Remember the tin can; the MKT's central Texas branch...
  • Member since
    August 2013
  • From: Richmond, VA
  • 1,890 posts
Posted by carl425 on Monday, September 12, 2016 2:42 PM

Being the only ones I could almost justify running on my layout, I've got to go with this one.

Or maybe this one.

My layout is set in 1975.  L&N had trackage rights over this section of the N&W Clinch Valley Line.  I believe only one or two of the L&N F's lasted that long.  Some of the Clinchfield's (partner of L&N) ran a little longer. Close enough if you like F's (and I do).

I have the right to remain silent.  By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, September 12, 2016 2:24 PM

I agree, Tom...

The above Stewart Erie FT A-B I purchased earlier on before settling on the NYC.  I really like the contrast of the yellow against the black, as well as the herald on the nose.  Ultimately, I'd like to incorporate it into a future layout, where the Erie crossed the NYC.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Boise, Idaho
  • 1,036 posts
Posted by E-L man tom on Monday, September 12, 2016 1:49 PM

I'll go one further on dotorwayne's motion for the DL&W maroon on gray and yellow and say the after-merger EL maroon on gray and yellow with the 'E' (actually EL, if you look close) in the diamond. I'll also have to say the pre-merger Erie yellow on black, with the 'ERIE' in the diamond.

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Duluth, MN
  • 424 posts
Posted by OT Dean on Monday, September 12, 2016 1:19 AM

I've always been partial--after Santa Fepassenger Warbonnet and NYC Lightning Stripes--to the early Soo Line maroon and DuLux Gold pine tree on the nose scheme.  I saw a ton of 'em on EMD's ALCO FAs and FBs, and Geeps when I was a kid first getting my feet wet in the Hobby.

Deano

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, September 11, 2016 11:59 PM

Garry,

Had a feeling, You were going to say that! Yes Yes

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by SouthPenn on Sunday, September 11, 2016 11:57 PM

Atlantic Coast Line  passenger livery.

Wisconson & Southern 

Great Northern 

BN Executive paint scheme

Northern Pacific

I guess there are too many to name.  Big Smile

South Penn
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Sunday, September 11, 2016 11:53 PM

My vote: .... Burlington

 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, September 11, 2016 11:40 PM

richhotrain

 

 
mobilman44

Gotta be the ATSF "Warbonnet"!  

 

 

 

Gotta be.

 

 

Tink' So?......

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 11, 2016 10:45 PM

mobilman44

Gotta be the ATSF "Warbonnet"!  

 

Gotta be.

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 263 posts
Posted by tankertoad70 on Sunday, September 11, 2016 10:44 PM

Well, having ridden the Empire Builder back in the '50s, GN's green and orange with the yellow stripes.  Cowboy

Don in 'Orygun' City
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 1,553 posts
Posted by PRR8259 on Sunday, September 11, 2016 10:34 PM

Oh, boy, that's a tough one for me:

1. Gotta go with Centrail Railway of New Jersey Tangerine and Blue F-3's.  Gorgeous, and rarely offered in HO (I don't understand why--Athearn has responded negatively to Facebook suggestions of a rerun).

2.  Santa Fe red/silver warbonnet.

3.  Rio Grande "gold" and silver single stripe scheme.

John

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Sunday, September 11, 2016 10:23 PM

My favorite and one of the most eye catching paint schemes on the EMD F units are the Wabash F7 Blue Birds!

Second for me are the New Haven FL9's

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!