Need to know which Kato Santa Fe F3's & F7's are DCC friendly

[GP40X]

Well the quest has started for motive power for my Super Chief passenger train (finally completed the first release A-B-C set opurchases).  I need 1 more A unit and 2 or 3 B units to model a 50's era Super Chief.  The problem is Kato has released the original F chassis, a revised F chassis, and a DCC friendly F chassis.  I am looking for the DCC friendly chassis.  As it is, it will take a while to find Santa Fe Warbonnets (unless they do another release).  I tried to get information (exploded diagrams) from the Kato website but could not find them there.  I know the  "Late" F3's are DCC friendly and I believe that the last runs of Kato Warbonnet F7's (176-2121, 2122, 2123, 2124, & B unit 2211) are DCC friendly but not sure how far back I can go before that.  Any help would be greatly appreciated in letting me know which earlier releases are DCC friendly.

Thanks,
Bill

[CBQ Fan]

I believe it would be any with 4 digits after the 176 prefix. I am not sure if the green box ties into the change in numbers.

[GP40X]

Thanks Brian.  Now if I can just get some Santa Fe gurus to answer my question in the prototype forum.  I model mid-late 80's Santa Fe and only got the Super Chief to have a quick go to train to throw on to run at trains shows but you know, the early stuff is starting to grow on me.

Thanks,
Bill

[superchief]

Bill,
    Not sure on the numbers but if it is in a blue box, RUN AWAY....if it is in a green box look to see if it has lighted number boards, if not it is second run (revised) hard wire only, if it has lighted number boards then it is DCC friendly chassis. If at a train show and the box is sealed the weight is a dead giveaway has the older chassis are heavy and the DCC chassis had half the weight removed and are very light. Hope that helps, will check on your question in prototype section.
                                                                                   Gordon Bliss/ Santa Fe - All the Way                           
 

[Point353]

Well the quest has started for motive power for my Super Chief passenger train (finally completed the first release A-B-C set opurchases).  I need 1 more A unit and 2 or 3 B units to model a 50's era Super Chief. As it is, it will take a while to find Santa Fe Warbonnets (unless they do another release). 

Have you tried this dealer? http://nationalcapitaltrains.com/products/n/locomotives/

[GP40X]

Bill,
    Not sure on the numbers but if it is in a blue box, RUN AWAY....if it is in a green box look to see if it has lighted number boards, if not it is second run (revised) hard wire only, if it has lighted number boards then it is DCC friendly chassis. If at a train show and the box is sealed the weight is a dead giveaway has the older chassis are heavy and the DCC chassis had half the weight removed and are very light. Hope that helps, will check on your question in prototype section.
                                                                                   Gordon Bliss/ Santa Fe - All the Way                         

Thanks Gordon,  I didn't get to come down to Houston due to wife medical issues.  Will try to be there in May.

Bill

[GP40X]

Have you tried this dealer? http://nationalcapitaltrains.com/products/n/locomotives/

Thanks for the link Point.  I have book marked it and will keep an eye on it.  Right now all they have in Warbonnet are sets that are a bit overpriced.

Thanks,
Bill

[ncbqguy]

Remember that the ATSF upgraded the appearance of their Phase I and Phase II  F3s to F7 and even F9 configuration so F3s are not appropriate for your time period....check photos as only the unit numbers didn't change!
Charlie Vlk

[altohorn25]

If you do end up with one of the early runs that is not DCC drop in ready, you can always get a set of undecs on Ebay that are DCC drop in ready and swap the shells.  All you have to do is use the window glass from the undec and swap them out with your AT&SF shell's window glass (the tabs on the side window glass is actually what keeps the shells on the frame).  I just did this last week and it works fine.

[Martin_London]

Bill,
You have it just about correct and if you want DCC-friendly Kato freight units (cigar band for 1950s) they are 176-2128, 2129 and B, 2214.

The Super Chief last ran as a complete train in 1957. It was combined with the El Capitan from January 1958.

At that time the F7 passenger power was marshaled in A-B-B-A units numbered (example) 37+37A+37B+37C or in A-B-B units in the 300 series (example) 300+300A+300B. The 325 series F7 A-B-B sets were in passenger warbonnet colors but geared for dual passenger/freight service.
Regards,
Martin