Today we have a model set from Walthers, a manufacturer we haven't had a locomotive review of yet here ... however, we have had a model of this prototype before, from Broadway Limited - https://www.transportpf.com/forum/model-vehicles/broadway-limited-erie-emd-f7a-b-bachmann-erie-caboose . I didn't originally plan to pit these head to head, but a comparison between the same model from two manufacturer is an intersting opportunity, so let's get to it!
However, in this case, both units are powered and are equipped with DCC and sound.
F7 history: built by EMD (Electro-Motive Division (of General Motors) and GMD (General Motors Diesel, EMD's Canadian subsidary) from February of 1949 to December of 1953, 2,393 A units and 1,463 B units were produced. EMD produced several F unit types, but the F7 was by far the most popular, selling more than all other variants combined. They were powered by a 1500HP 567B diesel, which was an EMD design, which put power to four traction motors, one per axle. They were used primarily on freight trains, but also found success with passenger duties, such as on Atchison, Topeka, & Sante Fe's 'Super Chief', decked out in the famous Warbonnet scheme.
They proved very successful, and served for decades, with several preserved in museums and/or operating on tourist lines.
The terms "A Unit" and "B Unit" refer to the style of body - A's are equipped with full cabs and controls, whereas the B's, also referred to as Booster Units, are not equipped with cabs, though they are equipped with simple controls only usable to move the unit short distances in yards "hostler controls" - to actually pull a train, B's must be combined with a cab equipped locomotives. The B's were thus cheaper, and this was during the transition from steam to diesel (which the F series was intrumental) and railroads bought diesels, at the time, to directly replace steam locos, so if a railroad wanted to replace a certain class of steam loco, they would purchase a diesel set of similar power, with at least one A Unit and as many additional A's or B's required to match the replaced steam loco's capabilities. Also, as each B unit provided power, but had no cab, so was not a functionally seperate loco, Unions could not insist on each unit having a crew. This is a fairly abbreviated history, but a full history on the subject would take a full post to itself!🤓
BO 4510 & 5476 History: There was almost no history available on these, but here's what I could find. 4510 was built in September/October of 1950, and 5476 was built in December of 1950. I can find no other historical details of either unit, so the most likely scenario is that they served B&O well along with the rest of the F7 fleet, and were scrapped, probably by the early eighties, at the latest - I found no evidence of either being preserved. If I can find more details, I'll update this section.
Here's a new experimental section -
Why Did I Want This Model? - My grandfather had family in Baltimore and lived with them for a time as a young man.
He would often talk about his time spent up there in a "big city". He didn't particularly care for it, especially the harsh winter, but the stories were interesting, and I'd assume he would've seen B&O equipment there. So that's why I wanted a B&O model, to recall the stories and for the tenuous connection I have with it.
Anyway, on with the review.
Box info.
I've always thought this was a nice paint scheme, and certainly B&O's best.
I prefer railroad's to have their name on their units like this, as opposed just initials like CN, L&N, and most obviously CSX. B&O would simplify (cost cutting measure) their paint in later years, to just solid blue with a yellow B&O.
Unfortunately, this setup is not without issues, most notably seen below...
The rear truck on the A unit would regularly derail over point like seen above.
Not every time, but often enough to be an issue. It seemed to be fine when the A unit was totally alone, but with the B unit (with or without a train) it was a regular issue. The B unit seemed just slightly faster, so I'd say that's a contributing factor, possibly the main issue. The powered B unit is really an unnecessary colmpexity, and with the different speeds causes issues. To see the derailment issue in action, go to 6:27 in the video - it's a chapter marked as "Derailment Issue".
Anyways, full review!
Good - The model was very well and sturdily built all around. The details were all very nice, and the paint and lettering were nicely applied as well. They operate well, seperately, and the sounds are very nice, and the DCC works as it should. Also, they had a good heft to them, with the A unit being 1lb 1.5oz, and the B unit 1lb 2.6oz.
Bad - First, the minor issue, which is that the paint seemed on the flat/matte side. Would've looked nicer with a bit more shine to it.
And then the major issue, the aforementioned derailing. From my experiments, it seems the B unit is ever so slightly faster, and this causes the A unit's rear truck to regularly derail over switches. So really, the set is not capable of being run together - you might get a couple trouble free trips around the layout from them, but it will inevitably derail on a switch and short out the layout.
Overall - The set looks good, sounds good, but is not usable in the as provided arrangement, A+B. If your layout doesn't have switches, you would probably be fine, but that's a considerable caveat. The seperate units do operate nicely however, which is of limited use - A units rarely operated alone, and B units couldn't lead trains alone (though I'm aware of one that was used solo as a coal mine switcher ... off topic!). I may actually try to remove the drivetrain system from the B unit and see what happens.
I guess I can't really recommend the set, but I think overall they're okay seperate.
Also, as alluded to at the start of this post, in comparison, the Broadway Limited set is superior.
Cool backstory and what a dissatisfying pain that derailment was