I have noticed that most if not all of the Mfgrs have many F7’s of various road names listed, but try to find an F9!!! Are F9’s so close in design with just a few “cosmetic” changes like the fans on top, that they don’t bother to make them? The Conway Scenic RR in New Hampshire has F9’s, former B&M and CN units, and I am trying to model that era in NE. Any info guys ??
If I’m not mistaken Athearn makes them.
Athearn as release the F9 in the Genesis line.
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=F9+ATHG&CatID=THLD
Athearn has some F9As in their Genesis line. Here’s a link to the F9 page:
http://www.athearn.com/Search/Default.aspx?SearchTerm=F9+ATHG&CatID=THLD
Bachmann also has some much cheaper F9s in HO. You may be able to find one of the original “Super 8 Wheel Drive” units, or pull one out of a fairly new Bachmann train set that has the newer mechanism made for the FTAs.[:D] Or you could just repower one with a pancake motor using a Stewart or Hobbytown mechanism.[:D]
Thanks guys, I guess I missed these in the catalogs that I received…67 year old eyes are playing tricks with me. Much appreciated
Stewart also did F-9 as I have one. Don’t know if Bowser has released any or not. Might be worth checking.
I have about 6 of those.
Anybody know if F-9s look like late model F-7s? Now that I am modeling the GN, I have no need for F-9s But need some Phase II F-7s.
James
Oh yes…The Stewart F9…Yes Bowser still has 'em.
Bowser also has the phase 2 F7
Only 87 each F9A’s were built. The Original F unit body style was replaced by the Geeps, (GP9’s) and the passenger service by that time was in trouble. The Genesis model is the best F9A available but only a few railroads ( 10 ) got them. Maybe they were not as popular as the F3A or F7A because they were at the end of production.
James,
The GN had some late model(ph 2) F7’s that are very similar to an F9. These engines were like the F9, but did not have the 5th air intake with the forward porthole moved back like the F9. The ph 2 F7 production started around June/July of 1952. IIRC, the GN did have 4 F9B units that were part of an order that was delivered after the cut-over to the F9 series in 1954. By that time, the GN was ordering D/B GP9’s in the 700 series for road freight work. The parallel NP continued ordering F9’s for both freight(7000 series) and passenger(6700 series) service.
Jim
Stick an L in there…
WHY NO FL9’s!!!
Its not like the New Haven FL9 didn’t make the 7th most wanted HO model on MR’s list in 2004… New Haven, Penn Central (several schemes), Conrail, Amtrak, Metro North (several schemes), Connecticut DOT (NH), Metro North (Hudson Anniversary NYCentral Scheme), Morristown & Erie, Maine Eastern. Thats 9 roads, and an active revenue service life longer than an F9 and probably any other F unit sans 1 F10.
Athearn and Stewart my friend. But they look the same as F7s almost.
The ATSF also had some F9s and if I remember correctly, there really wasn’t a noticable difference btwn the F7 and F9s. What mattered was how the railroad ordered the units. ATSF’s F9s were externally different to GN’s F9s. ATSF’s F9s couldn’t be distuingeshed from their F7s. ATSF’s F9s were freight units only
Ch/psngrtrn
I don’t even know about the roof fans; I understood that the primary difference beween F7s and F9 was 250 horses; cosmetically the F9 had a grommet on the headlight - coincidentally the same distinguishing feature between an E8 and an E9. They were so rare that they had been out of production for over twenty years before I first saw one running at a tourist operation someplace in the 1980s.
And FL9s - I’d like an RS1325; think I’ll ever get one???
Guys, here’s a very easy spotting feature:
F7’s have 4 grills between the portholes.
F9s have 5 grills. The extra grill is located in front of the forward porthole.
Hope this helps.[;)]
AntonioFP45: Thank you for the physical differences. With none around here to check out the differences personally, I would have to find engineering drawings somewhere, or a very detailed photo of each. Maybe the internet has something somewhere also, but with you experts online, the answers come much quicker and to the point.
Glad it was helpful Grayfox.
If I’m not mistaken, you can go to http://www.railpictures.net
There are plenty of “F unit” photos on there. Under locomotives, select F9. One of the photos is an excellent shot of a Clinchfield unit with that 5th grill on the Fireman’s side.
Peace.
Bachmann also makes an F9 in N scale. However, I believe it can only be bought within the McKinley Explorer set and the Explorer set (a bit redundent). Alaska and Santa Fe respectively. They aren’t bad units. I have the McKinley Explorer, and it is a great set. Gotta love full length dome cars.
So if any N scale guys or gals are looking for F9s…Bachmann.
Sorry there AntonioFP45 but you’re going to have to give me some visual evidence on this one; when you start talking about grills in front of portholes “FP7” and “FP9” screams at me.
O.K,
As I’m typing this…I’m staring at my Atlas FP7. It has 4 Grills between the portholes, same as a standard F7.
Just go to http://www.railpictures.net
When you get there, click on locomotives. When the choices open up, scroll down to F9. Click on that and you’ll see some very good photos. Look at the gray and yellow Clinchfield F9. It has a total of 5 grills (or vents).
Afterwards do another search and select F7. You’ll see dozens of photos. Notice that they have 4 grills between the portholes.
Hope this helps.
Peace and High Greens[:D]