I was looking at an ad for a Model Power F7A with a metal shell. Does anyone know anything about the level of detail on these models? The picture was not clear enough to see if the grabs are separate or molded on.
These are re-releases of the old Mantua locomotives and rolling stock line. The only thing I have seen so far is an all-metal boxcar that has nice detail but is way, way too heavy and doesn’t roll all that well, either. It would take several locomotives to pull a train made up of these boxcars. Maybe Model Power means for them to be display models only?
I’ve seen these cars at the hobby shop and couldn’t recommend them. They appear to be ancient tooling with poor detail by today’s standards. The Model Power ads look to me like an attempt to convince hobbyists who don’t know any better of some “advantage” to heavy cast metal models. It’s just another marketing angle.
Metaltrain by Model Power is all new tooling.It is not related to Mantua.
Tooling is state of the art as is painting and printing. Model Railroad news
the magazine gave these products excellent reviews. These sturdy loco and cars actually work very well in conjuction with plastic cars. I think the company made the descion to use metal because the real trains are metal and they could and
because of the detailing that is now possible in diecast metal was not possible years ago. If you want a sturdy detailed powerful train at resonable prices buy it. If you want to spend more for a plastic car that’s your choice.
Have you seen the Metal F-7 run? Best low spped op and pulling power you could ask for …for $60.00 not $120.00 .
The grabs are molded on the body. I was looking at one until I saw that. I don’t know about operation, though. It might be a good puller, but the detail is definately lacking. I guess you get what you pay for (at least most of the time). Below is a link that has a decent pic of one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5987479425&category=19133&rd=1
Just for my two cents worth, I have examined many Model Power metal train cars close up and they are a good deal for what you pay. No they do not have separtly applied grab irons brake pipes, sturps, and the like. Byt you seem to forget that Athearn Blue Box kits were the same way. Yet those seem to be held up to the highest pinicle of model railroad technology? There is nothing that says if you want these separatly applied details that you can’t do it your self? Or is good old fasnioned model building going the way of the steam locomotive?
James
I detail most of my own models. I rarely buy RTR stuff as there is no fun in that for me. Currently I am building a Quality Craft kit. The thing with the Model Power F-7s is that detailing metal shells is a pain in the rear. Someone may enjoy it, but not this guy.
Detail on F-7 is excellent. Only handrails are molded in like Proto 1000.
Paint and print is finer than Gensis. Loco operates at very low speeds-pulls
over 20 metal cars or 80 plastic.
Remember the 4 foot rule in Model RR. It’s what it looks like from 4 feet away.