Question for the gang... I have the 1986 release of the Micro-Trains PRR Powered F7A diesel for a small coffee table layout I'm working on. (Yes, really!) I could pick up another of these units from the September 2017 run. Out of the box, and using DC power would this MU with the 1986 release? Is there any material difference in the running characteristics between the two releases? (I know, DCC would fix any speed differences, etc. One thing at a time )
I'm a bit surprised from your title you don't already have this information So here goes... Comparing two different production runs from the original design (about a decade apart) I find there is about a 10% average difference between the two locomotives over a range of 3-8VDC. The variation between units is nearly zero around 5VDC or 50-60 MPH scale. Comparing an original design with the new release, which reportedly has no significant mechanical changes, I find the same degree of variation. Between two new locomotives I find virtually no variation between the units. So I see no issue. Be aware that there are considerable changes between the shells: different grill design, differences in size and shape of the cab windows, no steam generator exhaust on the new design, and probably a few more I haven't yet noticed. So to the discerning eye the two releases look different. IMHO the original F7 looks more like a late model F3 and the new F7 looks like an F7. Mark
That's an easy one (excuse, perhaps)... I wasn't yet writing the UMTRR in 1986 when the F7 I own was produced. I didn't start what became the UMTRR until the early 1990s and I don't count the official start until 1996.
