|
Post by notanothercamera on Feb 7, 2018 9:43:57 GMT -5
Hello All:
New to Z scale and this forum. I've modeled in N and HO in the past. This is my first venture into Z scale. I recently acquired some Rokuhan track, controller & power pack and an AZL GP38-2, along with a few freight cars. I'm planning on building a small, modified dog bone loop layout. I'll be running 195mm curves, no turnouts or side tracks for this initial layout.
The AZL GP38-2 runs great. Nice slow speed operation with no "off the charts" top end.
I'm considering adding a Micro-trains F7A in Canadian Pacific paint.
Can I expect the same performance from the MTL F7A that I am seeing with the AZL GP38-2? Are Micro-Trains in Z scale reliable runners? Any "gotchas" I need to be aware of?
Thanks for your comments!
|
|
|
Post by dave on Feb 7, 2018 10:00:20 GMT -5
I have not had good experiences with the Micro-Trains F7s. They are very noisy (coffee can grinder). They don't run too bad if you get a decent one and there is a wide variety of road names. Personally, as much as I would like a CB&Q freight scheme AB set, I will never buy another MTL F7 as I cannot stand how noisy they are. The chassis is essentially the same for the last 20+ years; I think they slightly revamped the shells a few years ago and they don't look too bad. I really wish that AZL would sell their F units singly instead of an AB set and I am hoping they will do that with the F7s that are planned for sometime this year.
|
|
|
Post by emaley on Feb 7, 2018 10:25:21 GMT -5
Ditto what Dave said. Both of my F7's are horribly noisy. I also had to disassemble and work on them about 8 times before they finally ran reliably. That being said, they pull like bulldozers. Appropriate for the noise they make.
The GP38-2's are in another Galaxy completely. The only real issues really apply to all Z scale. Clean track and locos are an absolute must. The tiny size can make them a bit finicky. AZL also has great customer service. They will support their product.
Trey
|
|
|
Post by jhrailroading on Feb 7, 2018 11:42:52 GMT -5
I will join in chorus with Dave and Trey. My F7, as delivered from MTL, left me frustrated with its poor and unreliable performance. Mine is an older one, and I can’t speak to whether or not MTL has made improvements or not.
-Jason
|
|
|
Post by mgatdog on Feb 7, 2018 11:51:05 GMT -5
Ditto what Dave said. Both of my F7's are horribly noisy. I also had to disassemble and work on them about 8 times before they finally ran reliably. That being said, they pull like bulldozers. Appropriate for the noise they make. The GP38-2's are in another Galaxy completely. The only real issues really apply to all Z scale. Clean track and locos are an absolute must. The tiny size can make them a bit finicky. AZL also has great customer service. They will support their product. Trey I agree with these guys. Great little loco when there running right but noisy. They are a unique loco and I do like them. Bob
|
|
|
Post by neverland on Feb 7, 2018 12:22:35 GMT -5
Sounds like a mini garbage disposal but is a little workhorse if you want to pull a long consist. Had to send mine out for repairs to MTL straight out of the box because of whisked coupler problems. Great customer service. If you buy one, just put on the ear muffs!
|
|
|
Post by markm on Feb 7, 2018 12:39:16 GMT -5
Welcome to Z
The MTL F7 is great mid-1980s technology. Yes it's noisy. The motor requires frequent cleaning and regular brush replacement. But they are great pullers.
There are two versions. Both run about the same. The newer version has a new shell with more detail, and comes with user applied glazing for the windshield and portholes.
Hope this helps,
Mark
|
|
|
Post by notanothercamera on Feb 7, 2018 14:01:50 GMT -5
Thanks to all for the feedback! Now I see why there are so many of the critters on eBay.....and for little money. You folks have saved me some cash! I can't live with a noisy loco. My AZL 38-2 is quiet as a field mouse. Guess I'll drop the F7 from consideration. Maybe a nice GP7 or 9....though I doubt I'll find one in CP or CN paint.
|
|
|
Post by theprez on Feb 7, 2018 14:36:33 GMT -5
Well, locos are noisy I like the MTL F7 sound, I am afraid I will never see a Z scale F7 with DCC and digital sound
|
|
|
Post by tjdreams on Feb 7, 2018 15:03:56 GMT -5
As has been said the MTL F7's sound like meat grinders, but they can be tuned up to run pretty good, Plus they are real workhorses and pull like nothing else. The Late Glen Chenier wrote a series of articles on how to tune up the MTL F7. He also came up with and produced a set of aftermarket wheel wipers to help improve electrical pickup which also helped improve the overall performance of the F7. Some of his articles on the F7 along with info on milling the chassis to install a decoder are still available in yahoo groups MTL® Z Scale Locomotive MaintenanceMany of the links in his articles no longer function and his contact info will not get you anywhere. But there is still some very good how to info in the articles. If anyone is interested in getting a set of Glen's wheel wipers send me a message as I have what Glen had left in stock at the time of his passing. Note I only have a few sets left and once they are gone they are gone for good as his family has denied permission to reproduce them. David if you can not access the articles send me your email and i will send pdf copies of them to you.
|
|
|
Post by tjdreams on Feb 7, 2018 15:18:13 GMT -5
Well, locos are noisy I like the MTL F7 sound, I am afraid I will never see a Z scale F7 with DCC and digital sound A Z scale MTL F7 with DCC and Sound ? No problem I've built a few David
|
|
|
Post by mgatdog on Feb 7, 2018 15:41:39 GMT -5
As has been said the MTL F7's sound like meat grinders, but they can be tuned up to run pretty good, Plus they are real workhorses and pull like nothing else. The Late Glen Chenier wrote a series of articles on how to tune up the MTL F7. He also came up with and produced a set of aftermarket wheel wipers to help improve electrical pickup which also helped improve the overall performance of the F7. Some of his articles on the F7 along with info on milling the chassis to install a decoder are still available in yahoo groups MTL® Z Scale Locomotive MaintenanceMany of the links in his articles no longer function and his contact info will not get you anywhere. But there is still some very good how to info in the articles. If anyone is interested in getting a set of Glen's wheel wipers send me a message as I have what Glen had left in stock at the time of his passing. Note I only have a few sets left and once they are gone they are gone for good as his family has denied permission to reproduce them. David if you can not access the articles send me your email and i will send pdf copies of them to you. Just sent you PM
|
|
|
Post by ztrack on Feb 7, 2018 16:07:00 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by theprez on Feb 7, 2018 16:12:00 GMT -5
Well, locos are noisy I like the MTL F7 sound, I am afraid I will never see a Z scale F7 with DCC and digital sound A Z scale MTL F7 with DCC and Sound ? No problem I've built a few I have to correct my statement: "..I will never have..." As long as you don't make one for me, there is a problem
|
|
|
Post by boxcarwilly on Feb 8, 2018 12:44:15 GMT -5
I too have MTL F7's and yes they are noisy, (sound like my old Datsun wagon) but they do have excellent pulling power, as long as they are run on flat surfaces. They do not do well on grades. The big thing I have found with mine is the fact that they all wobble like they are unbalanced like my ex wife. I also have a B unit that acts very strangely in that, when it runs in one direction, it leans as soon as power is supplied. Change direction and it leans the other way. It's the strangest thing and there is no visible reason I can find for this to happen. It's like it has two separate motors each powering one truck. I know that's not possible given the size, but nevertheless, that's what it looks like.
|
|