|
|
 Posted - February 18 2009 : 8:54:59 PM
|
Anyone notice the price of Model Power's Metaltrain F-7A jump to $140? Also, they are now factory equipped with DCC and DC sound!
The locomotives come with a hand-held sound controller for DC.
http://store.modelpower.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=97
I wonder what they sound like!
I sure wouldn't mind having one of those Warbonnets for myself... 
    
- Matt -
|
Country:  Canada ~
Posts: 1021 ~
Member Since: August 24 2008 ~
Last Visit: January 05 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - February 18 2009 : 11:24:35 PM
|
I've been wondering about these too ever since I bought my Mantra logger & tanker caboose. Its cool to see someone producing something that's mostly metal in a time where plastic is the norm for everything (in this price range anyways). Detail looks good, and with the weight I'd imagine they pull well. If you don't need all the DCC & sound stuff they are much cheaper. I like the Pennsy one, though right now I'm cutting myself off from buying new stuff lol.
Edited by - ChrisC on February 19 2009 10:32:02 PM
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 01 2009 : 12:30:59 AM
|
Well guess what Chris bought tonight? Damn you local hobby store for waving this thing in front of me for months.
I looked online a long time before I gave into buying this to see what people were saying. And I could barely find anything, heck it took me awhile just to find out what kinda motor setup it had (model power's site is seriously lacking on information). I've never done a review on a model train, and I'm no expert. But I do want to document my experience for others and future reference.
Biggest point about this locomotive is what you get for the cost ($60 bucks in my case). Its extremely heavy (duh). We didn't have a scale, but holding two different Athearn Genesis F-units and the Model Power back to back, the Model Power felt like the one you'd want to use if you wanted to break a window lol. Detail is good too. The handrails & window wipers are molded, but they work. Lighting is really poor, but it does only light the head lights there is no glow into the main windows. Some of the roof vents are see through (can't remember the sides). Oddly enough my friend has some Pennsy Genesis F3's we could compare too (they are on the right in both pictures) so you can see for yourself.
Its worth showing off the rear of the loco so you can see the attention to window detail and what not.
Its geared very well, it runs like a good loco should slow and smooth. Dual brass flywheels, 8 wheel drive & electrical pickup so it's never short on power or traction. With the sheer weight of the chassis and drive setup it was holding it own pulling around the spine train (5 trailers) along with 3-4 other cars with no drama. I'm willing if the layout wasn't so tight it would do a few more easily. Curious (and wanting to document the loco for the masses) I pulled the shell off and took a picture of the inside. BTW the outer shells itself is also metal and almost heavier than some small rolling stock I own lol.
You can see the DCC ready plug in the back, and the tiny headlight bulb up front (a LED would do wonders). Can motor is quite large from what I've seen. Whats really good was we ran it for a hour straight towing 8-9 boxcars. Took it right off the track and pulled the cover, motor was completely cool to the touch. My guess is all the metal makes the whole thing a great heatsink. So there you go, in short for the money I paid this thing is awesome. My friend is looking into maybe getting a CN one now for himself. Any questions I'll try to answer them!
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
 Posted - April 01 2009 : 07:23:04 AM
|
Looks like a great loco! 
I wonder why they wouldn't install an LED headlight...it's not like they're expensive or hard to connect. Oh well.
OH! Did yours come with this magical DC sound chip??? Huh huh huh?
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on April 01 2009 07:24:02 AM
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 1021 ~
Member Since: August 24 2008 ~
Last Visit: January 05 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 01 2009 : 07:44:39 AM
|
I figured you would like this Matt! No I didn't get the sound chip one, the two they had on the shelf were just DC anyways. I wouldn't mind the sound version but for that price there are a few other engines I would have liked first.
I have a theory though for this engine, I don't think Model Power built it. After working inside my 2-6-6-2 this F7 seems to be built a little different. Also its performance and quietness while operating make me wonder it they didn't buy the whole design from someone else? If they did build it, I kinda wonder why a $60 engine got two CV driveshafts, but the more expensive 2-6-6-2 uses a rubber tube. Other little stuff to like wiring differences, how well it was screwed together, etc. I wouldn't mind seeing the inside of one of the model power F2's too see if its similar. Maybe I'm wrong, but either way I still think its a heck of a engine for the price.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 01 2009 : 11:15:49 AM
|
Chris,
It was built by Mehano. You can tell from a number of things, including the truck towers and the Mabuchi can motor. The diesels they made for Mantua in the 90's didn't look much different.
I think Model Power is just an importer. I don't know who's making the Mantua Classics for them, but it's probably Mehano as well, which isn't good for them since Mehano has declared bankruptcy.
The Tyco Depot
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3927 ~
Member Since: June 20 2007 ~
Last Visit: November 19 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 01 2009 : 12:50:14 PM
|
The irony is I posted my F7 in the Loco of the week thread with all the other Mehano's, and I didn't even know mine was one lol.
Thanks for the info Nelson. Like I said I kinda had the feeling it wasn't a in house effort by model power. Lots of people seem to be happy with their Mehanos so that's really good to know! My friend who owns the layout my stuff lives on is now in the process of buying 1 or 2 of the CN F7's since he liked how mine ran.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 12 2009 : 01:42:10 AM
|
Quick update. My friend liked my F7 so much, be bought two lol.
He's been looking for something in the CN scheme for awhile, and he loves F-units. So when mine came along it was only a matter of time. I think I had 12 or so cars behind the two, even on the tight bends no issues what so ever. If the track layout was more open I know they would pull more without even flinching. Only thing that sucks is the matching numbers of course. And the rear couplers could be a hair shorter, they space the engines REALLY far apart. Happy to report my own PRR F7 has been running for a long while now with zero issues, derailments, etc.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 12 2009 : 06:13:11 AM
|
Have you done a tractor pull with it to see how many cars (or stumps) it can pull?
The Tyco Depot
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3927 ~
Member Since: June 20 2007 ~
Last Visit: November 19 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 12 2009 : 1:12:05 PM
|
We love the Model Power stuff here !
A Metal Train Set was actually the first set that got us into
HO gauge .
UP F7 from the set....
PRR F7 (separate purchase)
We also bought a lot of the separate sale cars ...the quality is great and
the price is always reasonable .
All good stuff IMO !
BT
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 385 ~
Member Since: August 08 2007 ~
Last Visit: October 10 2023
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 13 2009 : 08:01:41 AM
|
Nelson - We were joking that we can't send the two CN's across the bridge for fear of collapse lol. Whats bad is my friend's dad bought a spine train (trailers) and always binds on the tight curves, even with our two 2-10-2 Sante Fe's on head they have actually got stopped once or twice. I told them to put the CN's on point they will force their way around the turns haha.
BT - I like the UP scheme that's a good looking engine. And if you bought your PRR for $35 consider me jealous! I almost bought a metal train NYC boxcar. The door seemed like it was molded kinda weird so I passed on it at the time. Though down the road I wouldn't mind trying one.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 13 2009 : 2:48:16 PM
|
| neat locos ChrisC Do I see a old Tootsietoy truck in the background of the 1st pic & do I see a Matchbox tanker next to the CN units?
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14977 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: December 17 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 13 2009 : 6:34:31 PM
|
After reading the review here on these Locomotives I think I'm going to have to get one!
Todd
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 55 ~
Member Since: February 28 2009 ~
Last Visit: November 21 2009
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 14 2009 : 08:08:29 AM
|
Microbuss whatever you see in the background, your probably right lol. That was all the old cars my friend owns so that sorta stuff is out of my department. Unless its the race course on the one corner of the layout.
Todd they are pretty good, right up there with my Kato powered Atlas engines I own for pulling power. And the fact they can deal with less than perfect conditions with the cars or track if needed. We usually let the F7's run for well over a half hour at a time till we switch them out from bordem haha.
Edited by - ChrisC on April 14 2009 08:08:59 AM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 20 2009 : 03:25:30 AM
|
| A Metaltrain F7A in Tuscan 5 Stripe seems perfect but I would like a B unit to go with it, please. Anyone heard if Model Power is planning one? Their website is rather coy.
|
Country:  Australia ~
Posts: 362 ~
Member Since: March 21 2009 ~
Last Visit: December 31 2011
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 20 2009 : 7:32:10 PM
|
I picked up the CN version yesterday. I found it's a bit jerky at slow speeds and I had to increase the throttle a fair bit to increase the speed and it would suddenly jolt and start accelerating. Did yours do this at first? I hope some break in time will improve how it runs.
Todd
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 55 ~
Member Since: February 28 2009 ~
Last Visit: November 21 2009
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 21 2009 : 12:53:28 AM
|
Todd I did notice that depending on what power pack we are running them on. I've been running them on the main side of the layout which uses a dual control MRC. I had my pennsy literally crawling along at what would be a walking pace if I were a tiny plastic person lol. But I did recently use my F7 on the other side of our layout which are two various older power packs that are somewhat temperamental. And I can't get the same effect there, its either jerk to a stop or bat outta hell take off.
On a side note I never noticed till yesterday that the number boards light up also on the F-units. You have to have most the lights off, but its noticeable.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 531 ~
Member Since: January 29 2009 ~
Last Visit: July 10 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - April 22 2009 : 06:25:09 AM
|
That could be the reason then. I run a Digitrax Zephyr however since this one is still DC I thought I'd try it with an old Bachman power pack...
Todd
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 55 ~
Member Since: February 28 2009 ~
Last Visit: November 21 2009
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - August 09 2009 : 6:39:20 PM
|
Got a great deal on a couple Metaltrain Santa Fe F7 diesels today at a local Greenberg Show. Set # 810 for $85.00
comes with 2 powered F7s
4 Metaltrain Freight cars and Metaltrain caboose
Nice 1.3 amp power pack
Track which is crap but a very nicely detailed station platform and
nicely detailed blinking water tower.
The vendor had a bunch of them for 85.00....brand new a great deal in my opinion.
The vendor was also selling separate sale cars brand new for $5.00 each....
BT
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 385 ~
Member Since: August 08 2007 ~
Last Visit: October 10 2023
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - August 09 2009 : 7:47:31 PM
|
Great deals there taycotrains; where are these guys when I go to a train show?  
- Matt -
|
|
Country: Canada ~
Posts: 1021 ~
Member Since: August 24 2008 ~
Last Visit: January 05 2020
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - August 10 2009 : 3:19:35 PM
|
to be honest guys I don't care if my locos have no sound in them as long as they run good I'm a Happy Camper Still gotta do the CP Silver Streak train  as It's a good movie Yes I knows there's a CB&Q Silver Streak HO train too based on the original movie
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 14977 ~
Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: December 17 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - October 06 2011 : 08:11:56 AM
|
Somebody Drop One Of These on The Floor Upside Down And I Wanna See If The Shell Cracks. Ive Heard That These Engines Are Virtualy Indestructable. Alot Better Than Athearn. Still Debating Over Which Roadname.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 1102 ~
Member Since: July 28 2011 ~
Last Visit: July 01 2015
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
