Where are the Zebra striped CN F7s??

richardp

New Member
Why is it that none of the model train manufacturers have released recently a high end version, that is, Genesis, Proto 2000 or Intermountian, F7s locomotives in CN's Zebra stripes paint scheme. These units ran on CN lines up into the 80's. All one can find are F7s in the green and gold paint schemes.

Please write the model train manufacturers and request that they release a CN's Zebra stripes version of their high end models.
 

Heath

New Member
Hello Richard,
I agree with you. I too like the Zebra paint scheme. It seems we are vastly outnumbered by the 1954 era folks and there doesn't seem much interest in producing that paint scheme.
For some time now unfortunately, it seems that every kit or model train set that was produced had a reasonable "facsimile" of a zebra striped F unit and the market was flooded with them. Sadly, the authenticity of the paint scheme was much to be desired.
I thought of buying a Genesis 54 green and gold paint scheme painted engine and have it striped and repainted in the zebra paint scheme.
I keep hearing in the "rumour" mill that the Genesis line will have an F7 in it but not sure as Athearn already has a budget friendly F7 but I dont' think it's accurate if you wanted a really authentic looking CN F7. As well, I don't think it has sound either.
Here's a link from a Canadian supplier of all the CN F7's currently avail.
PWRS Pacific Western Rail Systems
 

Glen Haasdyk

Active Member
Life-like made Zebra-striped FA units that look quite handsome. You can usually find one or two on Ebay. Unfortunetly I'm one of those '1954 folks' that has a late fifties layout.
 

Heath

New Member
Hi Glen,
I bought two of the FA's and two FB's as well. Love those MLW's!!
One of them I had a speaker put in with the anticipation of QSI releasing their Revolution decoder. Better quality sound.
Have you had any problems with erratic behaviour, i.e. somewhat jerky movement and light blinking? The one FA I have exhibit's this type of running, all track is clean, wheels are clean, no eletrical pickup problems that I can observe, solder joints are good....
Thought I'd ask...
Thanks.
 

richardp

New Member
Hi Glen,
The one FA I have exhibit's this type of running, all track is clean, wheels are clean, no eletrical pickup problems that I can observe, solder joints are good....
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This is also a problem that I have with my DCC Life like proto 2000 GP7/9s. I find that I have to clean the wheels frequently, even if they look clean. Funny though, my Athearn, Atlas, and Kato engines can run with twice the grime on their wheels compared to the Life like units.
 

doctorwayne

Active Member
Aren't these units among the ones that suffered from the split axle gear problem? If so, Walthers is offering free replacements.

Wayne
 

Heath

New Member
I also have the CN GP9 and an RS18, both sound, both P2K and are good runners so that's why I'm a bit puzzled on the performance of the P2K FA's.
Just a thought, could it be the wheel's? Maybe a replacement set of Northwest Shortline wheel set would improve pickup.
The wheel's I have on the FA aren't the sintered (sp) that has the speckles of other metal's in them like the old Athern loco's had.
Now that there are two of us with this problem, maybe there are others out there with similar prob's with, hopefully, a solution.
 
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