I've been looking at a couple of similar Bachmann F7-A's to buy. Can someone tell what EMD is? Thanks
EMD = Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. They make the real ones.
Jim
Thanks. Rich
a little bit more about emd....
iemd was originally a division of general motors. as such, they set the standard for diesel locomotives for many years in terms of reliability. at one time they commanded about a 70% market share. one by one the other locomotive builders fell by the wayside until by the late 1960s only general electric was left to compete.
to-day, ge has the lions share of the market for new diesels, and emd was spun off by gm several years ago, and is now owned by caterpillar.
the f7 was one of emd's best selling models, thus one of the best selling diesels of all time with over 4000 made. by contrast, many of the competing diesels sold fewer than 200 or 300. emds will run forever if taken care of, and there are many gp7s about 60 years old still in use. the streamlined f7 and similar locomotives fell from favour for a couple of reasons. visibility was poor when backing up. unlike the hood type units like the gp7, the f7's carbody had a weak underframe with most of the structural strength in the side walls. thus, unlike hood units, major work often had to be performed inside the cramped confines of the engine room, with a hood unit, the hoods can be lifted off for access to the major components. with an f7, everything has to be lifted out through the roof. add the fact that they were low horsepower locomotivesnot really suited for branch line work and you can see why they were mostly gone by 1980. they were pretty much solid performers right up until the end, done in by obsolescence and favourable trade in policies by gm.....