Thanks for sharing this, I was not aware of that.

The difference was the freights were not equipped with the steam generators in the rear and that's the easiest way to determine which was which, however many carriers used the non steam version for short and/or short day trips. There was no differences gearing or otherwise, the E-units were specifically designed for Passenger service and had different engines and gearing, the F-Series were only designed for freight and eventually tooled to allow comfortable passenger service capability allowing for dual purpose road units, mostly just the addition of said Steam generators for heat. The warbonnet paint scheme was for the higher end Passenger service like The Chief designations and a few others.

@animalyze7120 You really need to do further research on this. Basically EMD offered many gear ratios although certain models only offer a limited number of choices. 65:12-50mph switchers 62:15-65mph freight 61:16-71mph freight 60:17-77mph freight 59:18-83mph dual service 58:19-89mph dual service 56:21-102mph pass 55:22-110mph pass Obviously customers had several choices depending on whether their Fs or Es ran in mostly flat or hilly terrain, etc. It was later when passenger service in decline many former F and E Units in pass service re-geared for freight which was relatively simple primarily achieved when traction motor units exchanged/relaced. Erie was a notable example when they had passenger Es re-geared and used in freight TOFC service.

i'm glad you didn't say 'kid'- because a kid would never know what an F7 was.

@@tommurphy4307 *coughs in kid

@@tommurphy4307 me at 14 👀

These are not worth 175$ and up. Total ripoff for what you receive and that's the only reason I would never recommend these sets. The quality has gotten better but they still load it up with junk track and plastic wheels, the only real thing in there is the newer designed Engines that have just a tad more power and reliability. These sets will lose more future hobbyists than they will retain. Hobby stores I remember would put together their own sets to make certain down the line the customers enjoy their purchases. They didn't have fancy packaging but so what. $75 maybe $90 and this puts it in a better range and allows more people to afford the start. Trains should never be this ridonkulous in pricing.

I just got the Thoroughbred set for my nephew's kids. Cost $126. Basically it's the same thing but with two straight pieces so it is a small oval. They wore out the old General set in one day (stripped the driveshaft) so I got this because the F unit is easier to handle and more durable. They can use the track from the General set and make a bigger layout. I test ran it and it worked fine. I always thought that having all the finish in flat paint was not quite realistic as all new units are glossy until they age. My biggest problem with EZ track is the connector tabs broke off from time to time. Great job with your videos!

Sounds like a good deal and a good set to start off with.

Atlas is always good. The best in my humble opinion👍🙂

There isn't a darn thing wrong with Atlas. You got a deal there.

Yep same

Couldn’t agree more!

Haha, thanks!

Probably the most common brand on the market.

I would likely choose this over their larger sets and add some stuff with the money saved.

I completely agree. It's fine short term but in the long run nothing beats nailed down track.

It's all about the value to cost. In my books they ether should pull down the price or bump up the quality.

lmao

@@SMTMainline But the quality isn't good, so no matter WHAT the price - it's still cheap. But if they dropped the price, Bachman might...and I say MIGHT - be worth a look.

Anton, you do realize that Bachmann does make higher quality Spectrum models that are well detailed and constructed. Starter sets are sold with various levels of quality at Bachmann, with DCC and other advanced features. Obviously they are more expensive than the set reviewed above.

@@michaelcerza871 Yes, I realize that. But, we were talking about starter sets, and Bachmann's starter sets are cheap quality. And I DO know about Spectrum - I have a couple myself. The Spectrum series are better quality and better runners.

They have made a lot of changes throughout the years.

its not code 83 but for track you can weather with a can of camo brown, it cant be beat at its normal price

Thank you!

Yeah!

This F9A does not carry the bluebonnet scheme, it's using the blue and yellow warbonnet which was applied to freight diesels in the 1960s and 1970s (which should itself not be confused with the yellowbonnet scheme applied to the Amtrak F7 lease pool), which is correct for an F9 later in its life (that is, before being rebuilt into a CF7). The bluebonnet scheme was applied to seven F7A units and a smattering of B units - supposedly meant for dual service in the Amtrak era - and was the basic stainless steel, black, yellow, and red warbonnet scheme, but with blue paint applied where the red paint would have gone. Bluebonnets and yellowbonnets can be seen here: old.atsfrr.org/resources/funits/Santa%20Fe%20Railway%20Historical%20&%20Modeling%20Society%20-%20The%20F-Unit%20Pages.htm The blue and yellow warbonnet on an F9 can be seen here: www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3318566

@@ErickC You can tell it's a 1750 hp F9 since it has louvers ahead of the forward port hole. ATSF had 18 A and 18 B units, operated in freight service, primarily in Texas. By this time the hood unit was dominating the new loco market and only 101 A and 156 B units were built in the US and Canada. F unit construction would cease with the New Haven's unique Diesel-Electric-Electric F9/FL18's of which only 60 were built. The KIng is dead, Long live the King!

@@colbeausabre8842 : I think you might want to read my comment more carefully - it's about the fact that the F9 did not carry the bluebonnet scheme, rather, they were painted in the distinctly different 1960s blue and yellow warbonnet scheme. The bluebonnet was exclusive to certain 325-class F7s.

@@ErickC Nah, I read it right the first time. You need to read my post more carefully

15 years ago was 2006. 'ill take stuff that never happened for 500 alex' trainsets havent been sold in 'grocery stores' since 1975 some even had a model railroad section

Nice

Thanks

I am looking for one of that I have my son the same set in the early 80’s now I am trying to get him a collector set any suggestions

Thanks David. I should have done another low speed test on the layout but I didn't think to.

I Said the Same thing about putting Around the Christmas tree 🎄 that's so Funny that you mentioned it!!!! Lol

It's possible I got old stock, I'm curious if they have made any changes.

@@SMTMainline Bachmann's basic F-Unit hasn't changed in nearly 50 years, I have one I bought in 2010 new (exact same set, but in Canadian National Noodle paint), and one I got from a friend that was from the 1970's; some differences, but fundamentally a fairly similar machine. They may be cheap, but they are good reliable runners that can clean up nice if you put some work into them :)

Thank you so kindly! This year has been quite the time for the channel's growth and I appreciate you being here for it.

@@SMTMainline No worries! Love your content! Keep it up!

@RandomDDA40X yes

A word on ATSF F-unit paint schemes. The bluebonnet scheme was applied to 7 F7A units in the 325-class and a number of F7B units. Supposedly, it was because they were meant for dual service, but it's anyone's guess as to whether or not that's true. The more common yellowbonnet scheme was applied to a number of F7 units in the Amtrak lease pool and was just the traditional warbonnet but without the red layer applied (a cost-saving measure). Of course, the yellowbonnet scheme shouldn't be confused with the later blue and yellow warbonnet freight scheme, as applied to the Bachmann F9 in this video. This is, indeed, the paint scheme that ATSF F9s wore before they were torn apart and rebuilt into CF7s.

That's interesting.

Glad to hear that.

I’ve had the rail chief a while and it seems these locos work pretty well if you keep the track and wheels cleaned.

@@tacticallegos I since bought another Bachmann model of GP40-2 loco in BNSF livery to go with the one in the 'Rail Chief' set so I can double-head a long consist..I found some wheel slippage occurring with just the one loco now with two of them as a matched set it's fine. I have no complaints about the newer Bachmann gear.

They've come a long way from the 80s but still seem to be a mixed bag in terms of quality control.

Glad to hear that.

Cool I am Not the Only one With Bachman👍👍👍👍

Got the Scout Special and the Circus Train sets!

About to sell my thoroughbred. Really sad about it since it was my first ever model train item but a I don’t have a use for it anymore 😕

Thoroughbred and Thunderbolt were my childhood. I still have them both, they run remarkably well.

Meteor and comet for me