Do all photos of F-units look like models and all F-unit models look like toys?
This is one of those that really has to be detailed well in order to get the toy-like quality off it. It may also be because F-units came most offen in train sets if you had that experience as a kid.
Interesting thought…That statement can apply to many types of locomotives as well.
SM:
Diseasels all look like potential razor blades to me. [}:)]
(Kidding, kidding, folks, put DOWN the brake clubs)
I think the thought processes that lead you to see them as you do may be akin to those in the general public that leads them to see cab units as generic diesels.
I’ve always thought that. I do like the Proto F units more than others though.
-beegle55
All of my F units are Athearn’s and it is somewhat difficult to get that toylike appearance to go away.
They all look like oversize crosses between a Chevrolet and a Tucker to me. Fortunately, the JNR never owned anything that even resembled one!
Of course, the KiHa81 class cab DMUs weren’t TOO dis-similar. OTOH the 1958 Kodama class EMU cabs, with their raised conning blisters, were more like a cross between Aerotrain and a WWII fighter. (Much more successful than Aerotrain, though.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with neither of the above)
I have a really hard time with F units in the war bonnet scheme. It’s probably because I never saw such trains in action. I only saw them in the Sears catalog while dreaming of Christmas presents as a kid. I guess that impression stuck with me.
I think it bothers me most when F units are on the cover of MR. It makes an otherwise good layout look like a toy.
Oh NO HE DID-NT…!!
Lee
If you asked me for an honest answer I couldn’t give you one, but for some reason I never liked the look of an F unit. I don’t know why , I just don’t like the look.
The F unit was the diesel that killed off steam quickly and efficiently. It had a modernist, streamlined look, clean lines, and was a broad canvas for railroads to advertise themselves with bold new paint schemes.
It was also among the earliest diesels to be modeled, primarily because it’s big boxy carcass could house Briggs and Stratton 2 stroke and still be close to scale in size.
It ushered in the idea of standardization, quickly positioned EMD as the go-to supplier of diesel locomotives for almost 50 years.
It is also a model that has served the nation’s railroads for decades. They can still be found, however re-built and reworked pulling revenue freight and passenger trains, and a considerable number soldier on in retirement hauling merry makers around museums grounds and on excursions. There’s a beautiful set of FP-7’s that now pull the Norfolk Southern executive train.
Sure, they’re a bit puggish, but from my perspective, they’re infinitely more pleasing to the eye than boxy generator cabinets that pull trains today.
Of course, my personal favorite road took good care of their fleet of F units, and they were famous among railfans, surviving in regular service into the late 70’s.
Perhaps your connection between F-units and toy trains is the result of so many models being offered over the years of the ubiquitous F. From Lionel to the latest Intermountain, from #1 gauge to z scale, and from Athearn Blue Box to Overland Brass, there’s an F unit for every season.
yeah, spacemouse, it’s just you…I like the look of F-units, they still look stylish and modern even today–the hallmark of a true classic. And yeah, they are cute, in that they just really look COMPLETELY STOKED TO BE A LOCOMOTIVE. You can almost see the satisfied grin. Maybe that’s why they look toylike, but I like that, the same way that I like gaudy 1860s diamond-stack steamers covered with brass and bright paint, or ridiculously over-weathered switchers that look like the rust and grime is the only thing holding the beast together.
Heck!
They look like big toys in the real world,
why not on your layout![;)]
[quote user=“wm3798”]
The F unit was the diesel that killed off steam quickly and efficiently. It had a modernist, streamlined look, clean lines, and was a broad canvas for railroads to advertise themselves with bold new paint schemes.
It was also among the earliest diesels to be modeled, primarily because it’s big boxy carcass could house Briggs and Stratton 2 stroke and still be close to scale in size.
It ushered in the idea of standardization, quickly positioned EMD as the go-to supplier of diesel locomotives for almost 50 years.
It is also a model that has served the nation’s railroads for decades. They can still be found, however re-built and reworked pulling revenue freight and passenger trains, and a considerable number soldier on in retirement hauling merry makers around museums grounds and on excursions. There’s a beautiful set of FP-7’s that now pull the Norfolk Southern executive train.
Sure, they’re a bit puggish, but from my perspective, they’re infinitely more pleasing to the eye than boxy generator cabinets that pull trains today.
Of course, my personal favorite road took good care of their fleet of F units, and they were famous among railfans, surviving in regular service into the late 70’s.
Perhaps your connection between F-units and toy trains is the result of so many models being offered over the years of the ubiquitous F. From Lionel to the latest Intermountain, from #1 gauge to z scale, and from Athearn Blue Box to Overland Brass, there’s an F unit for every season.
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I actually like the looks of the F7. They are a much better looking loco than the diesels of today. I think some of the Alcos are pretty ugly as well.
[:-^]
Nobody asked for my opinion, but for what it is worth[2c] I think that there is nothing more beautiful than a lash-up of F units pulling the CZ through the Feather River Canyon.
Long live the “Wobbly”
Johnboy out…
I remember B&O F-units pulling into the station when I was railfanning with my father as a kid; I’ve always like their appearance.
I see your point Chip
The F unit was pretty spartan for “detailing”
The Red F unit I added grab irons while the Maroon unit is still a basic Athearn one.
Gordon
Nah. Here is a photo of a H0 scale model of Norwegian State Railroads Di3 Diesel Engine - (guess what the Di3 design is based on ?):
Don’t know about you, but I don’t think they look any more toylike than any other model train.
Grin,
Stein