Good afternoon...I have read someplace here that there is someone who can work on the F7A to improve performance and address some known issues. Also, I have read where the B units have issues with not being free-rolling; is there anyone that can perform the needed work on those so that they roll freely? I can't do the work myself as the eyes and hands are not good enough. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Glen Chenier is the noted Guru of the F7 and developed the improved pickup strip for the trucks which really makes them very good performers and they pull like no other Z scale loco and without traction tires. As to the B unit I have yet to see any mode that truly makes them free rolling.The only solution I have found is to modify the inside of the B shell to fit over an A chassis so you end up with both units powered. Used to be able to buy the bare chassis for the A unit from Anthony at Z scale monster. I do not know if Glen will do the upgrade to power the B unit or not. I have rebuilt and over hauled many of he F7 in Mr Dave's fleet over the years and most now have the Chenier brass pick-ups added to them. http://www.teetertottertreestuff.com/ this link provides Glen's e-mail address. another useful web sight on the F7 and tweaking it as well as adding DCC can be found here http://www.wiringfordcc.com/zmtf7.htm The hardest part of working on the F7 is putting the chassis back to-gether and getting the engine to balance properly on the track after you have split the chassis. Installing the pickups is easy as you do not have to disassemble the locomotive to do it you only have to remove the truck frame to install the new wipers. The web site Zscale .org in their do it yourself Z scale used to have full instructions with photos on their web site but the links are busted so not sure if the actual pages are still there and just the links are dead or the pages have been lost. The domain wheel wipers.com ownership is for saleso its original owner has not maintained ownership and this was where the instructions used to reside. Another site with F7 information is located here http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/z-scale-mainmenu-108/z-motive-power-mainmenu-118/mt-f7 Regards Garth
I can't really add to what Garth said other than to know your locomotives. What I mean is don't be afraid to take it apart, give it a good cleaning and lube. Mine runs well with no modifications. However, once a year I take it apart, and clean and lube it up. I guess I am lucky, my B unit runs well with little binding.
I too have an F7A with problems. The plastic frame alignment bushings were over tightened at the factory, so it has never been right. I have been trying to get in touch with Glen Chenier, but can't seem to find a good e-mail address. All the links to the various info are no longer valid and the website is also unavailable. I have found a phone number and am waiting to see if that works. I also have an F7B that is binding. I discovered that one axle has some scoring on one side. This scoring seems to only bind on about half of the rotation. I am going to try and figure out how to polish it and see how that might help. Any other insight would appreciated. cheers
