Join the discussion on the following article:
Bachmann HO scale F7A-B diesel locomotive
So many major railroads had F7’s that it’s easier to list ones that DIDN’T have them. I’m sure they include fhe Delaware & Hudson and the New Haven.
Note that many Bachmann HO locos are now available ONLY with DCC decoders or with both DCC and sound. Some of us still aren’t using DCC.
Where are the road numbers?
It seems like it would be more cost effective to purchase these than to retrofit you existing locomotives with the SoundTraxx TSU-1000 and speaker, if you shop around online.
I watched. Wrong horn sound. Should be Warbler sound. A low single horn sound. The front coupler is hanging low. Kadee time! Not plated? A lot of money for just the sound? Not prototypical. Where are the number boards?? They are black? Decals??
Good article, points out what is there and what isn’t, both good to know!
It would be good if these chassis/decoder/speaker sets were available for people modeling all the other railroads, or who have detailed shells to re-stuff.
Some of us look first for a smooth running locomotive that is a reasonably complete and accurate model of an intended prototype, then we equip it with the DCC & sound that works for us regardless of price point. Beginners whose purchases are based solely on initial cost may become disenchanted with the hobby. Running operating sessions definitely sorted out “keepers” from “non-keepers” for me. My old Bachmann 2-8-0 is keeper.
Steve, nice units. Bachman has come along way. On your grade crossing horn announcement (long long short long), the last long needs to be sounded all the way across the road. FRA will hunt you down, lol.
No simulated stanless steel side panels, poor overall sound quality, no road numbers, force DCC purchase. $100.00 is a lot of money for these lacks.
Athearn’s gear driven F7’s in the 60s packed plenty of power at an affordable price despite the days before sound and DCC became available.
Beginners, teens and senior citizens on fixed incomes have been left out again!
I have nine of these. I don’t count rivets and have a suspended layout so the tractor pulling power these have is needed. I run two sets of A-B-A units pulling no less than 18-24 cars each and these make it up my non-typical grades of 4.5%-5% with ease.
I do have to admit I set CV 128 (master volume) to 0 because that isn’t important to me. I couldn’t be happier with these at $99 each. I ordered a Kadee kit #452 (that is made for these specifically) for each unit and they look and pull all that weight quite well. I lubed them with ATF fluid as soon as I got them and they are as quiet as can be.
Overall, I am very happy with these at the price point.
Guys, Stop bashing this locomotive, not a bad unit for the 100.00 dollar price tag. Get some decals, place in the number board plates. add some steam geertor detail, and kadee ouplers. you’ll have a nice model, little weathering, and walla. Stop complaining, great option for those guys who do nhave the money or funds for the athearn model with sound.
They need to expand the paint schemes to inclue a lot more roads then the initial few. I hope they will in the near future.
Stop complaining. 10 years ago this would have been $300. DIg-It!