The first train I ever received when I was a child over 50 years ago was a New Haven F7, for the past few years I have been trying to find a New Haven F7 with DCC and sound. In the February 2016 issue of Model Railroader on page 74 they do a review of a FL9 in the New Haven paint scheme. What is the difference between these two F7 vs FL9. What I want to know is, is the FL9 much longer than the F7, I am thinking of purchasing the FL9 to fullfill one of my childhood memories, I have never forgotten that F7 and the memories it brings back.
I had the double pleasure of having a set of NH decorated F7s, but also spending my summers in view of the NH mainline and watching the real thing. The F7 was 50’ 8" the FL9 was 59’. The FL9 needed the extra length to fit a steam boiler for passenger service and electrical equipment needed to enter the tunnels in NYC. It also had an A1A rear truck. The Rapido FL9 is fantastic. We NH modelers have waited patiently for decades and have finally been rewarded.
An F7 is a 4 axle loco with a B-B wheel arrangement.
An FL9 is a 5 axle loco with B-A1A wheel arrangement to reduce the overall axle (weight) loading for operation over the 3rd rail electricified trackage into NYC.
An FL9 is a bit longer than an F7, mostly because of the longer 3 axle rear truck, but its not hugely longer.
F7A: 50’ 8" long
FP7: 55’ 2 1/4" long
FL9: 59’ long
E8A: 70’ 3" long
From Wikipedia.
If you put all 4 of those side by each, it looks like a cell phone commercial (with 4 bars).
The NH never had F7’s, just the 60 FL9’s. However, ConnDOT did have a pair of F7’s that were modified in the 1980’s for HEP service. These were painted in NH colors, and numbered 6690 and 6691. So if you want a “real” NH F7A, you can paint it up for CDOT at least.
http://connecticut.rrpicturearchives.net/pictures\54216\NH_--036_36.jpg
Paul A. Cutler III