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Post by wmcbride on Dec 16, 2023 15:25:32 GMT -8
Do any of you knowledgeable, "plugged-in" folks have any inkling that some manufacturer is going to step up with a new, state-of-the-art CF-7 model?
Athearn seems the logical choice. They just issued an updated SW1500 and have done the CF-7s before -- which are hard to find and commanding high prices when one does find one
Bill McBride
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Post by hudsonyard on Dec 16, 2023 15:33:48 GMT -8
I believe that RTR CF-7 from years ago was the old railpower shell, those were staples of every clearance or closeout section for quite a few years after their release.
The CF-7 was one of the most common shortline units in the country for years, i cannot remember the last time I saw one running. The twin cities and western had a pair of ex RBMN units stored in glencoe, MN, that was the last one I've seen anywhere.
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pjm20
Junior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by pjm20 on Dec 16, 2023 15:52:07 GMT -8
I'd like to see the 3 window angled cab version to replicate the one's the Nittany and Bald Eagle had
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Post by surlyknuckle on Dec 16, 2023 19:09:30 GMT -8
It would be useful to many to have these made available again, and since apparently the old tooling is unusable, this would be a good time to tool up better quality parts (the old RPP was pretty rough in some areas, like door latches and pilots to name a couple), and more variations. The catch to that is when the model was being produced as an Athearn rtr model, it allowed them to do many road names through several releases. I bet if a "definitive" CF7 was tooled up today, they would be $400 engines that would be run in 3 road names each, released every 4 or 5 years. Probably not helpful to as many people between the price, and the wide, wide variety of roadnames and paint schemes the real ones eventually wore. Better make sure to make enough undecs of those!
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Post by crblue on Dec 16, 2023 20:04:39 GMT -8
I'd be happy with a re-release of the athearn model at a reasonable price point.
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Post by hudsonyard on Dec 16, 2023 22:02:02 GMT -8
I'd like to see the 3 window angled cab version to replicate the one's the Nittany and Bald Eagle had
on the north shore RR at northumberland, PA back in 2011
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Post by ambluco on Dec 17, 2023 8:16:18 GMT -8
My choice would be Scaletrains or Athearn Genesis. No rerelease of the Railpower.
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Post by 12bridge on Dec 17, 2023 9:14:32 GMT -8
CF7 is a cool engine, the more I look at them, the more I like them. Defiantly a case of every one is different though. They have really well laid out, gigantic cabs too.
ATSF really built everything on these things in house. From the MU stands, exhausts, grills, etc. are all shop built. They may look like GP parts from a distance, but they are not.
I would be down for a nice one, I was kicking around doing one up using the KV parts and an Athearn, but its nowhere near high on my list.
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Post by wp8thsub on Dec 17, 2023 11:35:27 GMT -8
Athearn seems the logical choice. They just issued an updated SW1500... The latest Athearn SW1500 is basically indistinguishable from the previous releases. They have LEDs and ground lights now, and come with different decoder wiring, but the rest of the model is pretty much the same. I had two of the last release and grabbed one from the latest run. Much less effort on the manufacturer's part than tooling up a better CF7. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 17, 2023 12:38:43 GMT -8
I think these are the first Athearn SW's offered with a decoder. And sound.
Might'a been neat if they offered only the guts, so you could just transfer one of your old SW bodies onto it.
Ed
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Post by rockfan on Dec 17, 2023 14:30:45 GMT -8
I think these are the first Athearn SW's offered with a decoder. And sound. Might'a been neat if they offered only the guts, so you could just transfer one of your old SW bodies onto it. Ed Buy an undecorated or a road you don't care about, swap shells and have extra parts. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 17, 2023 15:05:13 GMT -8
Buy an undecorated or a road you don't care about, swap shells and have extra parts. It's a thought, as I could then sell the combined leftovers as a DC locomotive. But I'll note that Athearn DID sell Genesis F unit drives. Ed |
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Post by cemr5396 on Dec 17, 2023 15:22:35 GMT -8
I think these are the first Athearn SW's offered with a decoder. And sound. Might'a been neat if they offered only the guts, so you could just transfer one of your old SW bodies onto it. Ed assuming the changes don't make it so the old bodies don't fit. |
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pjm20
Junior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by pjm20 on Dec 17, 2023 15:43:27 GMT -8
I'd like to see the 3 window angled cab version to replicate the one's the Nittany and Bald Eagle had
on the north shore RR at northumberland, PA back in 2011
Awesome photo! A shame the electronics failed and it was scrapped. |
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Post by milgentrains on Dec 17, 2023 15:52:49 GMT -8
I have one of the old CF-7's and I see no reason to replace it.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Dec 18, 2023 4:14:17 GMT -8
I have one of the old CF-7's and I see no reason to replace it. The "problem" is that the existing tooling is shot, so if we're to see any more new CF7s someone will need to tool a new one. Personally I hope we first see some of the other locomotives that have never before been offered RTR in plastic, such as the SW1001 and Alco S-5/S-6/T-6 switchers, or my preference, a TR4 cow-calf. |
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Post by milgentrains on Dec 18, 2023 5:06:38 GMT -8
I have one of the old CF-7's and I see no reason to replace it. The "problem" is that the existing tooling is shot, so if we're to see any more new CF7s someone will need to tool a new one. Personally I hope we first see some of the other locomotives that have never before been offered RTR in plastic, such as the SW1001 and Alco S-5/S-6/T-6 switchers, or my preference, a TR4 cow-calf. I agree, I would go nuts if someone offered an SW-1001 or an Alco T-6. |
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Post by nsc39d8 on Dec 18, 2023 5:36:35 GMT -8
While I have a brass ALCO T6 it is the old ALCO models which has been a bear to repower. Since I model N&W, I do need a T6 or two in the fleet.
I would also take a SW1001 although I have no idea what I would do with one, maybe a mine shifter. Since I like ALCO locomotives the C415 is high on my list as well.
I agree with some others that there are locos out there I had rather see done before the CF7, such as Southern's B30-7A1's.
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Post by prr 4467 on Dec 18, 2023 10:44:38 GMT -8
Manufacturers most recently have been focusing on what they think can sell the most: Current day Gevo's, Ace's, and any model not previously done or done very poorly. Maybe I don't like seemingly everybody offering a Gevo instead of many older models that might deserve updating to a highly-detailed model, but are there enough of us who want to pay for said updated model?
I'd like to see a re-tooled C-420, C-424, C-425 more, personally, but that's me. Even just the current Atlas C-420 with a couple minor handrail updates (to correct the manner in which the side handrails connect to the steps to match the prototype, which they do not currently) would be wonderful.
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Post by PennCentral on Dec 18, 2023 11:40:58 GMT -8
I believe the issue isn't necessarily that the old Athearn (Railpower) CF7 was horrible. It was decent for what it was. The issue is lack of availability. While I can't locate a direct statement from an Athearn employee right now, multiple posters have stated that Per Athearn, the CF7 tooling is no longer usable. If this is true, then Athearn or anyone else would need to tool from scratch. If it will require new tooling from Athearn or any other manufacturer in order for there to be CF7's available on the market again, then it seems that a majority of people would prefer a higher-end model rather than a redo of RailPower's 30 year old tooling.
Jason C
No dog in this fight, Indiana
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Post by cemr5396 on Dec 18, 2023 12:27:52 GMT -8
Whatever deficiencies Athearn's versions may have had, I don't think they were bad enough to warrant a complete re-tooling to a high-end model. I think a re-release with updated details might be more likely? It's been said repeatedly in this thread already and Athearn has also come out and said many times as well. The pre existing Athearn CF7 CANNOT be made again. The tooling is shot. So if they ever are going to make a CF7 again, they are going to have to tool a brand new model. And if they are doing that, they may as well go the whole 9 yards on it and make the nicest CF7 model there will ever be. The question of whether there is enough demand out there for that vs. something that has never been done before is a valid one, but that is something they will have to figure out for themselves. |
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Post by prr 4467 on Dec 18, 2023 14:13:45 GMT -8
Brad H.--
Apologies, did not read whole thread...modified my post above accordingly.
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Post by gevohogger on Dec 18, 2023 14:21:44 GMT -8
I believe the issue isn't necessarily that the old Athearn (Railpower) CF7 was horrible. It was decent for what it was. Most of the other RPP stuff was downright horrible, even by 1990 standards. Did the CF7 somehow rise above the rest of the litter? |
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Post by surlyknuckle on Dec 18, 2023 15:47:31 GMT -8
The CF7 had the same "features" most of the exRPP shells had....way too thick steps, pilots, door latches that sat on top of the door panels instead of recessed, and over-sized hinges.
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Post by lyonwonder on Dec 18, 2023 18:20:09 GMT -8
My guess is Athearn would use the existing chassis they put on Genesis F-units if they tool a new Genesis CF7.
There's also the chance Athearn will just tool a new shell for the RTR CF7 since they retooled the RTR SD40 a decade ago and recently retooled the Roundhose F7 and several RTR rolling stock.
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Post by Mr. Trainiac on Dec 18, 2023 18:28:07 GMT -8
I think the CF7 will shine as a Walthers Mainline model. Their NW2 was well received on here with its diecast frame, and Genesis-level switchers always seem to be controversial. The Rapido SW1200 had many issues, and the endless Athearn SW1500 retools keep jacking the price up. For a small locomotive focused on shortline and switching work, the focus should be on the drivetrain.
One thing I appreciate from Walthers is the detail upgrade kits offered for many of their models. Tooling major versions, like the round vs angled cab roof would be enough. Designing the model to appeal to budget modelers, while still enabling easy upgrades for rivet counters, is where the CF7 belongs. The problem with many of the second- or third-hand shortline locomotives is that their many modifications and versions over the years will make it difficult to model road-number specific detail for the many varied operators of these locomotives over their service lives. I think the solution is to leave those detail parts to the modeler in the form of a detail upgrade kit like Walthers or Scaletrains offers for their Operator models. It also enables freelancers to customize their locomotives, which is more common for shortline modeling than big mainline rosters.
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Post by 12bridge on Dec 18, 2023 18:58:09 GMT -8
My guess is Athearn would use the existing chassis they put on Genesis F-units if they tool a new Genesis CF7. There's also the chance Athearn will just tool a new shell for the RTR CF7 since they retooled the RTR SD40 a decade ago and recently retooled the Roundhose F7 and several RTR rolling stock. It would need a new chassis. The CF7 is far too modified - not to mention the Athearn chassis is "sculpted" to fit inside the F body. |
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Post by bdhicks on Dec 18, 2023 20:47:51 GMT -8
The long hood end of the RPP CF7 always looked off to me, like it had been based on a widebody geep instead of actually looking at the prototype.
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Post by j_wilson on Dec 19, 2023 7:17:14 GMT -8
Since the topic of CF7's came up. Can anyone help me find pictures of Nashville & Eastern CF7 2529 in the late 80's, early 90's? I can find rear shots but no side or front shots of it. Thanks for any help.
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Post by PennCentral on Dec 19, 2023 7:41:39 GMT -8
I believe the issue isn't necessarily that the old Athearn (Railpower) CF7 was horrible. It was decent for what it was. Most of the other RPP stuff was downright horrible, even by 1990 standards. Did the CF7 somehow rise above the rest of the litter? Probably not but I was attempting to somewhat generous about Athearn's ex-Railpower CF7's so I refrained from calling it "another ex-Railpower block of sh1t". If we're going to be blunt, then NO, the old RP model is subpar in this day and age even with a decent Athearn paint job on it. I think CF7's are cool but I never 'needed' any as my primary roads never had them. I'm primarily a mid-70's modeler. That said, should someone do a very nice newly tooled CF7 and release it in Pioneer Valley.....well maybe I'd suddenly find myself needing one. I am NOT going to pay $180 + $17 shipping for the Athearn rehashed Railpower model which is what the last Pioneer Valley CF7 on Ebay sold for. Jason C Indiana |
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