I see that some of the online hobby shops are now advertising the new Stewart F7’s in their new executive line. Has anyone had the opportunity to run any of these engines? Detail certainly looks to be comparable to either the Genesis or Proto 2 units.
They are unequalled in their running characteristics. Their shells, however, are targeted to those who like to do their own detailing…so details are at a minimum.
David B
These are not the old Stewart engines, these are there new “Executive Line” engines, the sound units come with SoundTraxx Tsunami Digital Sound Decoders
http://www.bowser-trains.com/Stewart/Stewart%20Exec%20F7.htm
The new “Executive Line” will feature the same Buehler and Cannon drives that make them top runners. And, as you have already noticed, Don, the difference will be in the detailing of the shells. (They will come factory detailed.) The “Traditional” series will still be available for those who enjoy detailing the shells themselves.
It will be interesting to see whether Bowser-Stewart continues producing their Tradional Line, or if they eventually phase it out for the fully detailed Executive Line. I’d be happy with either line. The worst thing they could do would be to change drives. My Stewart FT A-B (with a Lenz Gold decoder) absolutely crawls on speed step 001.
Best runners out there - bar none - as far as diesels are concerned.
Tom
You do not have to sell me on the Stewart engines, I have a number of the engines. Some of the older engines are with the Kato drives and I am astonished at how well they run. Exceptional slow speed control, the regular Stewarts are a close second to the Kato engines, too bad they were not DCC ready as are the regular Stewart engines.
So the OP really just want to know about the shell detail. Well…who knows?
If you are looking for an accurate F unit shell, then consider buying Athearn Genesis or Proto ones, it will be very difficult for Stewart to match the fideltiy and quality of the aformentioned shells, but that being said, they should be worth every penny.
In fact, why not wait for the new Athearn shells as they will also feature the Tsunamis.
David B
Don,
I wasn’t trying to sell you on the Stewarts. I was just merely commenting on how much I like them myself. I do hope that this new thrust for Bowser-Stewart will be financially successful for them. The new detailed shells look very nice.
Tom
I was surprised to see the engines are also on e-bay. The pictures certainly show a lot of detail. The roadnames are pretty limited right now. Will certainly pick up a set once they release more roadnames. I would imagine that a Great Northern set would be available in the not too distant future, would go for any of the Canadian railroads.
Check out the detail on these new engines.
I do hope they got rid of the unsightly mold seam, but otherwise the shells are very nice and if superdetailed they are quite nice. IMHO, Athearn Genesis have the best looking F bodies but Stewart have the best drives.
Looking at the photos, I would opt for an Athearn Genesis unit over this one for the details. Yes, these units are a step above what they have offered in the past, but the Genesis units are much better for the amount of detail you get.
Bowser
Athearn Genesis
Prototype
Judge for yourself…take a look at the skirting, the nose mu hatches, the color of the Red, the window glass, the etched metal screen on the Genesis unit (opposed to the painted plastic one on the Stewart), the mu hoses…etc.
Personally, I would buy the Genesis unit (without sound) and install my own.
David B
Of course if you like painting your own, you could buy the Highliner shell kits (that Athearn / Genesis F’s use) and put them on the Stewart chassis.
The Executive engines look good, I was very disappointed when they cancelled the Erie Mining F9 set. [sigh]
Has anyone tried swapping shells from a different manufacturer?
As I began to add to my F series units I also purchased a number of Genesis and Intermountain units. I am pleased with these engines. I would rate the Intermountain engines as having very good running characteristics as well, while they do not run as good as the Stewart engines they are a close second. I have since added an additional number of Intermountain units.
Regarding the Genesis units I myself do not consider them to be equal to the Intermountain units, I have only a few of Genesis sets and have no desire to acquire any more.
I will in all probability purchase a couple of the new Stewart units once they release additional roadnames that I would want.
Wow, all those Stewarts need are etched grills instead of the molded ones, and they’ll look as good as the competition!
don7, do you only have the earlier Genesis units with the gold Buehler motor, or do you have any of the newer ones with Roco motors? I have a newer one, and it easily runs as well as my Atlas, Kato, Stewart, and other high end diesels.
I don’t know about the rest, but Bowser’s done pretty well by the Bangor and Aroostook;
Model: http://www.bowser-trains.com/New_Products/New%2002_01_08/F7%20Bangor%20and%20Aroostook.htm
Prototype: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=288552&showexif=1
EDIT: Probably not a good idea to show #49 as it had a GP style light added to the nose and it had the strobes. 49 was a wreck rebuild and was not an original BAR F3 number. Here’s a pic of #42, which matches the Bowser pic better: http://users.silcon.com/~lgoss/bar4257.htm
IIRC, #49 was rebuilt from parts of a BL2 and F3. It was the only F3 without dynamic brakes, IIRC.
I was in Highrailer Hobbies in Waterville, ME ( http://www.highrailer.com/ ) yesterday to pick up an order and Jeff, the owner ran his personal unit to demo the Tsunami equipped version. Given the limitations of an HO sized speaker, I think Soundtraxx has the EMD 567 prime mover nailed. I had to force myself to walk out without one.
Just as an aside, although Highrailer is a hole-in-the-wall (almost literally) right now, Jeff’s looking to expand to maybe 3 times the size. Apparently, he’s doing something right and he says his train business has surpassed his R/C business. 'Course, his nearest brick and mortar competition for train biz is Maine Modelworks, which is in Falmouth, about 70 miles south.
Andre