Kusan-Auburn F-7 Diesel Locomotives

Kusan continued the same series of F-7 locomotives that American Model Toys (AMT) had earlier introduced. One way to tell the difference between an AMT and Kusan F-7 is to look at the roof line. AMT F-7's have a humped roof, whereas Kusan's are straight. Kusan locomotives also have a KMT oval on the sides. Like AMT, these locomotives have a powerful 7-pole AC/DC Pittman motor. Neoprene Traction Tread rubber tires are installed on all four drive wheels, thus making them very strong pullers.

Kusan-Auburn also offered an optional DUO-TRAC system, for an additional charge, which enabled their rolling stock to operate on either two-rail DC or three-rail AC track. For DUO-TRAC, the wheels on either side of a locomotive or train car are insulated from each other. A slide switch on the bottom of a DUO-TRAC locomotive has two settings - 2 RAIL and 3 RAIL, which can be changed by the operator depending on what type of track system is in use.

A possible Kusan Burlington F-7 protoype is also pictured on my site.

The Texas Special F-7 - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-1. The Texas Special 2019 F-7 A unit. Has improved side ventilation screens versus the earlier, same catalog number, AMT model.

The Texas Special F-7 - front angle view

The Texas Special 2019 F-7 A unit has a white five point star on the front.

Santa Fe F-7 - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-2. Santa Fe 322 F-7 A unit. Has improved side ventilation screens versus the earlier, same catalog number, AMT model.

Santa Fe F-7 - front angle view

Santa Fe 322 F-7 A unit has a Santa Fe logo on the front.

Pennsylvania F-7 - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-4. Pennsylvania 8644 F-7 A unit. Painted dark green versus the earlier, same catalog number, bright red AMT model.

Pennsylvania F-7 - front angle view

Pennsylvania 8644 F-7 A unit has a PRR keystone logo on the front.

Southern F-7 DUO-TRAC - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-5. Southern Railway 6755 F-7 DUO-TRAC A unit. Its AMT predecessor has a gray roof with the same catalog number.

Southern F-7 - front angle view

Southern 6755 F-7 A unit has a Serves the South logo on the front.

Chicago & North Western F-7 DUO-TRAC with black fuel tank skirts - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-6. Chicago & North Western 5400 F-7 DUO-TRAC A unit with black fuel tank skirts. The same catalog number AMT version has no markings for THE 400.

Chicago & North Western F-7 - front angle view

Chicago & North Western 5400 F-7 A unit has a North Western logo on the front.

Chicago & North Western F-7 with yellow fuel tank skirts - side view

Kusan-Auburn catalog number F-6. Chicago & North Western 5400 F-7 A unit with yellow fuel tank skirts. This locomotive does not have DUO-TRAC installed. Photo courtesy of the G. Clarke collection.