I got six FP7s coming and I agree about the coupling. I changed the couplers to Red Caboose-51060 for a while. They were closer but still not close enough. Then I changed to RailLine HOn3 Dummy couplers and they are the cat's meow. Put them as close as you want.
Clark, I did notice that in the N Horizons section of N Scale Railroading magazine (pg 59)... but really didn't give it much credence since it hasn't been officially announced and part numbers were not made available yet. Just like a few other "Vapor Ware" locomotives (which I won't mention)... sometimes the 'hoopla' about their imminant release or 'in the process' of being tooled threads may end up creating a backlash of criticism if the manufacturer doesn't deliver the 'rumoured' item within the unofficial pre-annouced time frame. I'd rather that IMRC gets the engine 'right' the first time around... regardless of how long it takes to do so. They've had so much trouble with the 'simpler' diesels, that I am concerned over the quality of any steamer they attempt to make.
I guess all that "backlash" would be resolved if the company was good about sticking to a release date. The loss of credibility would not be an issue if there was a consistant string of accuracy in the past. I'll tell you, if I was as poor in predicting my own business project completion as most of the model train companies are, I would lose my job. Maybe the management of the company(ies) need to tighten things up a bit in the office.... imagine that.....
