Okay, here is another request from the HO locomotive experts out there . . . have any of you had problems with the early proto 1000 F3A or B units?
Not the F3’s, but I do have a pair of P1K GP7’s that are in the neighborhood of 12-13 years old. They are beautiful machines and good haulers. One unit is sufficient to pull 25 - 40 foot freight cars (correct weight, metal wheels, KD couplers) up a 2% grade on a 33"r. helix. Anything over 25 cars I use both units. Year before last they were equipped with Loksound decoders and elongated dual speakers. They operate and sound great! If their quality is the same as the Geeps, I would not hesitate to pick up some older F3’s at a train show and convert them to DCC. I hope this helps. John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
I have two P1K F3 mechanisms in use, and they run beautifully! These are from the very first runs of these units too.
Now, a friend of mine gave me his P1K mechanism (under an Intermountain shell, same vintage), and it had an issue with the circuit board…apparently it shorted and melted wires. But every other P1K F3 I know of is still running beautifully. [:)]
I don’t think made any PROTO 1000 GP-7’s. They only made PROTO 2000 GP-7’s, GP-9’s, GP-18’s, etc.
Got the Lehigh Valley F3 (which they did’nt roster) but it’s an excellent performer.
Nice paint job,good solid running,heavy loco-master of all tasks
Steve