Walthers F40PH

thedowneaster · 04-04-2007, 09:04 PM

Hi all,

Does anyone have an opinion regarding Walthers F40PH? I'm considering using one to kitbash an F40PH cabbage. (the amtrak downeaster uses cabbages as control cabs on the south end of the regional commuter trains)

The engine will be de-powered and kitbashed with added doors along the carbody. I do not think it is worth my while to cut up and depower a kato or bachmann F40PH but I am concerned if the walthers lacks in level of detail. Does the walthers model have molded handrails and rough detailing like the old life-like version?

Oh and one other thing...what's the deal with the Bachmann F40PH? I've seen it marked under $50 (trainworld) and over $100 (walthers) as well!

Thanks for any info
Jeff

alexbnfan · 04-06-2007, 08:43 AM

I think the reason that Trainworld is cheap is because they buy thousands of thousands of individual items. thus cutting prices

RioGrande · 04-13-2007, 07:08 PM

I would personally avoid Bachman Spectrum, even the most recent. The Walthers Trainline IMHO was the best F40PH out in plastic until KATO finally offered theirs. I have 3 each (Walthers & KATO) and btw, they represent different phase versions and road numbers reflect that. ie, you wouldn't want the 200 series road numbers on the KATO as they were made later on phase wise.

The Walthers have decent detail, and the mechanism isn't bad.

**sumpter250** · 04-17-2007, 02:59 PM

As long as you intend to "depower", and modify the shell, the old LifeLike F40PH, actually had a decent shell. I used one to kitbash a C&NW Metra F40ph, and put it on a modified Athearn chassis. You might find it cheaper than any other.
Pete

thedowneaster · 04-29-2007, 07:50 AM

Thanks Guys...guess I'll be picking up a couple of the Walthers engines within the next few months! I'm not sure when the cabbage project will be complete as I've not even started laying track nor recieved my backordered amfleets. (they were on sale at walthers for just over $8 each!)

thedowneaster · 06-08-2007, 11:06 PM

Just to follow up....

I received my first Walthers F40ph the other day! Runs and looks great! I'll probably be ordering 2 more now.

YmeBP · 06-09-2007, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedowneaster

Just to follow up....

I received my first Walthers F40ph the other day! Runs and looks great! I'll probably be ordering 2 more now.

There was a great review of the f40ph and a comparison here:
HO Scale - Kato and Spectrum F40PH locos compared

I just noticed that it was a kato that it was being compared to but it should be an interesting read regardless.

04-04-2007, 09:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
thedowneaster Brakeman Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NH Posts: 41	Walthers F40PH Hi all, Does anyone have an opinion regarding Walthers F40PH? I'm considering using one to kitbash an F40PH cabbage. (the amtrak downeaster uses cabbages as control cabs on the south end of the regional commuter trains) The engine will be de-powered and kitbashed with added doors along the carbody. I do not think it is worth my while to cut up and depower a kato or bachmann F40PH but I am concerned if the walthers lacks in level of detail. Does the walthers model have molded handrails and rough detailing like the old life-like version? Oh and one other thing...what's the deal with the Bachmann F40PH? I've seen it marked under $50 (trainworld) and over $100 (walthers) as well! Thanks for any info Jeff

04-06-2007, 08:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
alexbnfan Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: N.E. NSW, Australia Posts: 80	I think the reason that Trainworld is cheap is because they buy thousands of thousands of individual items. thus cutting prices __________________ Home of the freelanced BN Sandwich Line, where its always sometime before 1985 G'day from Australia.

04-13-2007, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
RioGrande Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 161	I would personally avoid Bachman Spectrum, even the most recent. The Walthers Trainline IMHO was the best F40PH out in plastic until KATO finally offered theirs. I have 3 each (Walthers & KATO) and btw, they represent different phase versions and road numbers reflect that. ie, you wouldn't want the 200 series road numbers on the KATO as they were made later on phase wise. The Walthers have decent detail, and the mechanism isn't bad. __________________ *Rio Grande The Action Road*

04-17-2007, 02:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
sumpter250 multiscale modelbuilder The Gauge Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vernon Hills, Illinois Posts: 4,176	As long as you intend to "depower", and modify the shell, the old LifeLike F40PH, actually had a decent shell. I used one to kitbash a C&NW Metra F40ph, and put it on a modified Athearn chassis. You might find it cheaper than any other. Pete __________________ We learn far more from our mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's "advice". http://www.lcmrr.org http://www.gclaser.com

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04-29-2007, 07:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
thedowneaster Brakeman Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NH Posts: 41	Thanks Guys...guess I'll be picking up a couple of the Walthers engines within the next few months! I'm not sure when the cabbage project will be complete as I've not even started laying track nor recieved my backordered amfleets. (they were on sale at walthers for just over $8 each!)

06-08-2007, 11:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
thedowneaster Brakeman Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NH Posts: 41	Just to follow up.... I received my first Walthers F40ph the other day! Runs and looks great! I'll probably be ordering 2 more now.

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