Chassis of new MTL F7s made in China?

Hello--

I received a few new MTL F7As. I noticed on the bottom of the jewel box that the chassis is made in China. It also seems to me that the new F7s are a tad lighter, probably due to a non-lead chassis. This seems reasonable due to environmental prohibitions regarding lead materials. Has anyone else noticed this? Has anyone noticed any operational differences? Are there any implications for DDC installs, that is, is this lighter metal as strong?

Thanks,

Steve

Really? I thought all MTL F-7's were made in Oregon, U.S.A.?

Where did you buy your F-7's from?

I hope Loren or Joe can clarify this.

TechRep wrote:

Really? I thought all MTL F-7's were made in Oregon, U.S.A.?

Where did you buy your F-7's from?

I hope Loren or Joe can clarify this.

Alex,
This sure is a mystery as I have seen the machine that makes the chassis at MTL and I've seen the plastic jewel boxes being injection molded at MTL.
(Eye witness account....unpaid, unsolicited.)


Wonder what China he is referring to?

I can't account for the weight difference between the two locos made in different years. Maybe it is like the copper penny......or what used to be the copper penny.

And one more time.......like the government used to be.....much more solid and dependable.