Okie dokie, I’ve been out of the hobby for a number of years and am getting back into it. Does anyone feel like doing a little product-reviewing?
I do N Scale. I’ve been wondering, in the time that I’ve been gone, has anyone come up with a good F3? How about the Kato F3–is it only a retread of their old F3 with DCC capability added?
Also, what about Atlas’s H15/16-44’s–are they any good? And has anyone tried the Atlas RS-1 or -3, or the Atlas GP-7 or -9? I like a smooth, slow engine like the Atlas SD-9.
I read with interest in another topic about everybody’s incredible lists of locos, from 2 to 200 ea. and counting, and I’m thinking there just might be someone out there with first-hand experience with these products. [;)]
The new Kato F3 is a fine loco. The main problem is the lack of availability, especially for Eastern roads. I’d like them more if they produced another batch, and mixed up roads with sigle/dual headlights, with/ DB, etc. IM announced a new F3 with freight & passenger pilots. They should run as good as their FT. An ABBA set would look great pulling a house up a 3% grade.
The Atlas H15 are fine locos. The RS-1/GP7-9 in the Classic series are very good with the new low speed motor. Go to the Atlas site to compare prices. The difference will be the lack of DCC equipped units.
Thanks Glen. I used to dream about painting/detailing an N scale F3 in the AT&SF catwhiskers scheme, with creamy yellow and blue. Now I can do it!
Oh sure, I suppose I could paint any old engine and just leave it sitting somewhere on the layout as a relic or maintenance problem, like you see in many small towns. In fact, I’ve done that with a Bachmann GN Consolidation. But I’d much prefer to have an operating model!
Nice to hear the H15/16’s are good, too. A zebra-striped one would look nice on my layout.