David's O Scale Blog: 2R O-scale Southern E7 by Sunset Models Review

Sunset Models/3rd Rail just shipped out their E7 (3.0) project to customers. The 3.0 is the second run of these models. These were last made something like 7 years ago, so this run comes with improved mechanical features (motor, ball bearings, 2 speakers, etc.) and maybe some other features, but I don't remember since the ad was already pulled from their website. Both the first run and this run came with Southern Railway, though this time they added Black Tuxedo, which I ordered.

I was once again also privileged with the ability to review the artwork for Scott on these and I made several rounds of changes on these to get what you'll see below. Quite a few items and details were fixed in the artwork, but alas it looks like one or two things fell through. Just a byproduct of dealing with China to have these models made.

I don't have the ability to run the model, but from a paint/detail perspective, this one was hit out of the park. This is the first time I believe Sunset finally produced the correct Nathan M5 horn too. Too bad this didn't come sooner as a lot of the Southern Models could have used this more accurate horn. I've heard the dual speakers in the E8's, so these should be equally loud.

The one item I know I instructed 3rd Rail to fix from the artwork that wasn't done was the maintenance foot board along the engineer's side of the E7 was painted black instead of the aluminum stripe color. Should be an easy fix. Some other desired changes such as the correct fuel tanks and the correct rear light are limitations of the tooling and not an oversight on my part.

Other items I will look to do on my model as I eventually get time:

Repaint the maintenance foot board.
Possibly plate over the Mars Light (lower light) per prototype.
Attempt to 3D Print the Cooling Pipes.
Add the Rear Light per prototype.
Redo the fuel tank/skirting per prototype.

I used more than just these photos, but these are quick prototype reference photos:

And here is my photo essay: (Hi-Res if you click on photos.)

A quick look at the available schemes.

Generally how the engine is packaged. This photo was after I put it back in the box.

Another look at the packing materials. The black strip protects the roof and there are separate custom pieces for the ends of the locomotive.

Fireman Side View - 3/4.

Fireman Side View.

Front View.

Engineer Side View - 3/4.

Engineer Side View.

Side View - Lettering.

Side View - Builder Plate.

Underbody View.

Overhead View.

Overhead Side View.

Underneath the last hatch with the steam generators, is a switch for adjusting the volume and resetting the QSI Decoder (for 2R models). The roof cover is held in my magnets and comes out relatively easy.

The instruction booklet says the following out how the switch itself works:

Master Volume and Reset Function:
To adjust the master volume of this model, you will find a switch under a hatch just forward of the Steam Generator Panel. Pull up on this hatch as it is held on with magnets. When the switch is in the OFF position, this is NORMAL operation. Set the switch to the ON position with power on the track, and you will begin to hear the horn blow once / second in decreasing volume, then it will cycle to bring the volume higher. The words, “MAX” will sound when you have reached MAXIMUM volume. Once you have the desired volume setting set the switch to OFF.

To RESET the decoder, set the switch to ON-RESET with no power on the track. Apply 10 V to the track and the word “RESET” should be heard. Turn the power OFF, and move the switch to the OFF-RESET position then you can resume normal operation. Do this when you have lost control of the model or it become erratic in it’s behavior.

Rear View - Headlight should be on the left on this.

Rear View.

View of the gear on the roof and the maintenance grabs.

3rd Rail finally uses a more correct Nathan M5 horn. The dust is courtesy of the NYC air.

View of the coupler issue I had on the end.

There was some shipping damage it appears. A slightly bent ladder and the Kadee box had to be put back together (the coupler spring was in the box). I fixed that pretty quickly.