When I got my first MTL F7 it ran so badly that I RMA ed it and got a replacement. The second one was really no better. I took it apart and with careful lubrication was able to dramatically improve it's running. About a week ago I took it apart again, separated the chassis and removed the two bogies. This is actually not very difficult at all. Instructions tell you how. I realise that not many can do this but since I work in a Chemistry lab I put the bogies into a small beaker with n-pentane (a volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent which does no damage to any paint or plastic) and then in an Ultra Sonic bath for about 10 mins. The solvent immediately went black (this is good because it's removing all the grot and dirt). I redid this in clean solvent then allowed to air dry. Once dry I reapplied lubrication to the gears and a tiny smear of Conductalube to the contact points for power pick up. When back together I can honestly say it has never run this well, slowly and smoothly. While I type it's running quite happily at 5.8 volts, when I first got it..would not even be moving at this voltage. Still sounds like a wood chipper..lol. So bottom line..these things just need to be super clean!!! This is my standard protocol from now on and if I ever buy another one (which is now much more likely) I will do this right out of the box.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner. I wounder of Bestine would be safe to use on the trucks since mine are not painted.
I just took delivery of my second Micro Trains F7. This one ran much better than my first (Baltimore and Ohio) but still benefited from some Conductalube on the back of all 8 wheels. Here she is running pretty well at 6.1 volts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YBl-BBrhOQ&feature=youtu.be The sound is the same, I think this is the result of the rather unusual 'sun and planet" type motor gear and drive shaft. These little fellows are not bad at all but do require regular maintenance, possibly even from new in the box (see first post). If you buy one of these you better be willing to take it apart and clean it from time to time. I love the F7 and if you want a Z scale F7 this is the only choice other than a vintage Marklin on eBay which seem to go for very high prices.
I couldn't agree more and really that goes for most Z scale locomotives. Cleaning is a priority and being afraid to take locomotives apart is just a fear you have to get over.
Just remember, the MTL F7s are based on a design from the early 1980s. These locomotives were a back bone for Z scale for decades. The design has never changed. The sound will is infamous to the F7s. We call them 'coffee grinders', but that is truly a term of endearment. The F7 environment is going to change very soon. See the 2nd video posted in the 'A Few Hoppers' thread. Here you can watch AZL F units in action. AZL is getting ready to release F3s and F7s in the next few months. There are based on newer chassis designs including cordless motors, LED directional lighting, traction tires, and DCC ready with drop in boards from Digitrax. EBay is not the only source of Marklin F7s. Check out our Resale shop: http://www.ztrackresale.com We have 26 in stock right now. These are in various conditions, and the pricing reflects that. If you don't mind cleaning the gearing and re-oiling a Marklin F7s, you can purchase these from us for as little as $135.00. Rob
I've seen the F units at a show and they look very nice, a substantial improvement over the MTL units...if you can wait. It should be noted that there are actually two versions of the F7s from MTL. The 21st century version has improved shell detail and definition, and user applied windows. Mechanics have been improved slightly: they have less of a tendency to lean than the original and IMO sound a little less like a coffee grinder. Anyone purchasing resale units should watch for which version is up for sale. Many of the new units have new MTL product codes, but in several cases I'm aware of (UP and ATSF) the product code for the original units is being reused for the new ones. The only way to know which is which is to check the road numbers and release date against the MTL loco database: http://www.micro-trains.com/databases/zlocos.pdf Mark
Old A units had steam generator bumps on the rear. New A units do not. Old B units were non-powered dummy New ones are all powered.
Looks interresting. Are the locomotive's low speed caracteristics really enhanced? Ie less prone to stalls at speeds less than 10 smph? Dom
The detail level alone is going to make me put some serious thought into selling off my MTL F7s. Otherwise I doubt I'll have the money for the new Fs on top of the E units! MTL had better step their game up unless they want to be out of the loco market... get the newer mechanisms back in production, and fast.
Dom, From my sample size of one, the new unit ran reliably down to 15MPH as compared to 20-25MPH for my older units on DC. Judge for yourself if its really enhanced. Mark
Thanks Rob... To all interested Z gaugers.....my second MTL F7, the Southern Pacific version, went through the pentane/ultrasonic bath treatment yesterday and after very careful reassembly and lubrication including Conductalube on all the pick up points..here she is running very nicely at 3.8 volts and a scale speed of 18 mph. http://youtu.be/aBkGx6Ug2Rc The Halliburton box car was created from one of the MTL undecorated box car kits (503 00 000), in "honour" of my company, Baker Hughes being acquired by Halliburton
Way too fast for me, unfortunately. For me, a locomotive MUST be very low speed switching able in order to be interresting. Too bad, If I need more F-units in the future, awesome AZL's will fit for me. Dom
