I have been searching the internet for DRG&W locotmotives that are DCC and sound equipped. Specifically F-Units that are painted apen gold with the black stripping. There are very few to be found. Being relatively new to the hobby, I am wondering why the scarcity?
Good question. I’ve only been able to find that Intermountain is the only ones offering these with sound.
Intermountain is releasing new versions this year. I preordered the new F7 AB set recently.
I thought D&RGW was more popular than that.
Are you looking for the single stripe or the 4 stripe? Last year when I needed F units to pull my Royal Gorge I had no problem rounding up the units in less than a week. Then right after that the Great American Train Expo came to town and one vendor had them for about 20% less than I had paid.
Yeah, my first search is a hit.–>
But to answer your question the Rio Grande is a small railroad, and many (most?) people who model it are attracted to the narrow gauge.
Check with Athearn/Horizon–they have offered their F-3 units in Rio Grande, both in the aspen gold 4-stripe version and the earlier black and yellow. DC, or DCC/sound. Athearn also offers the ‘tunnel motors’ in the same configuration.
As far as standard-gauge steam, the only two non-brass locos I’m familiar with are the Proto 2000 USRA 2-8-8-2 in the Rio Grande 3500 series, and an older Athearn/Genesis 3800 series L-97 Challenger (UP clone). Prototypically, the Rio Grande never liked the 3800’s and got rid of them as fast as they could. Unfortunately, both locomotives appear to be out of production. Aside from those two models, all the Rio Grande steam power I’ve found (and collected for running use) is used brass imports.
Tom
Actually, manufacturers find they often sell out of Rio Grande-decorated items faster than other lines. It’s not one of the very biggest, like UP, PRR, etc, but it has a strong following. This includes standard gauge.
Athearn released a bunch of F units in Rio Grande flavor over the years, but they are hard to find. I had a pretty complete set until the sound units started coming out. The first ones had non-Tsunami sound, which didn’t get good reviews, and the cost of sound and the slowing economy restricted my purchases along about that time, too.
I do have a set of the P2K Fs with sound and really like them. Long sold out just about everywhere, though.
Consider getting older Genesis DC Fs and dropping Tsunami boards into them. It’s a pretty neat install and is the way I’ll go when my focus shifts away from Blackstone…[;)]
Yep, I run both standard and narrowgauge. If you’re patient, you’ll find there’s plenty being released, you just need to have your reservations in or your risk missing out.
BTW, there is a Yahoo Rio Grande email list and the Rio Grande Modeling & Historical Society with its excellent Prospector quarterly journal. I highly recommend both to keep up with future releases and for help in tacking down what you want.
Yes you are right. I have painted and decaled many of my own. Can even use the junk Athearn RTR 45t2.
Atlas made the GP 40 several runs. Kato made GP 35 and 1500 switcher. Good luck. Proto 2000 made SD 50. Atlas also made GP 60 d&gw had 3
Intermountain is your best bet. Check out their website. They make a real nice product in my opinion. Athearn had some awhile back but I don’t believe they had sound I think they were the ready to run line. Walthers came out with some F units awhile back also but I think its slim pickings for them too. The scarcity is do to the fact that manufacturers only make so much of a run especially now a days. Your best bet anymore is to preorder if you really want it.
Athearn has periodically released RTR line F units. However, their Genesis line releases have included about 20+ Rio Grande F units in the black-and-yellow, 4-stripe, and single-stripe paint schemes over the last decade, before they started making sound available in the last couple of runs.