Can anyone please tell me what exact scale the LGB EMD F7 is?
1:32nd 1/29th ???
Welcome Daryl -
Well, you may have just opened up a can of worms 
LGB was never known for scale fidelity, the term “rubber ruler” was often used. Most everything they ever released was in the neighborhood of 1:22.5 making our gauge one track “Meter Gauge”. While that is correct for European narrow gauge prototypes, it’s a stretch for everything else.
I think they are around 1/26 or 1/27?
I recall the MR review or maybe it was the GR review saying it was closer to 1/27 than 1/29. But even at that one dimension was 1/26. 
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Compared to a 1/29 USA F3 there is a noticeable size difference in height
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Only way to know what scale LGB is, is to get a blueprint of said item and then measure length of said item and find the scale for the length by using the blueprint figure for length and you measurement for length and figure that scale.
Repeat above for width, then height then as most do set said item against your other railroady items and see at what distance from those it looks good to you and that is your scale of any particular LGB item.
I do not recommend checking the scale of any other measurement, like size of ladder on a side or height of body from top of rail. It will just add to the confusion.
In short if it looks good to you use it. 
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Since I model in LGB scale and I only run the U.S. engines (White Pass #2055, Rio Grande #2056, and a Rio Grande switcher #2063 which are all repainted to my railroad. I find that any other scale will not work with these engines, in most cases the other scales are too small and look out of place with the LGB engines. I also have the same problem with rolling stock, I have to choose them carefully for the size to look correctly with the engines. The LGB F7 would work for me, but for all other scales it would be a giant and really look out of place. The scale 1:20.3 the LGB stuff might work, but I have no interest in modeling in that scale at this time. I feel the LGB scale is pretty much a dead scale for the future, I only model in that scale because I have done so for some 40 years and at 79 I’m not starting over. Let me say here as so many think I model in 1:22.5 scale well I don’t, I model in a scale that works in size with the LGB engines, whatever scale they are. I call it the “standoff scale” that is if looks right then it’s right for me. Standoff Scale is a RC model aircraft scale give to planes that look pretty much correct, but usually the wings are larger and it gives the model plane a better lift and it fly much better than scale size wings. Large scale is what works for you, not others.
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Having only ever owned one piece of LGB rolling stock, I probably shouldn’t have commented. The 1:22.5 scale is about what they built their European models to, which is correct for European meter gauge on gauge 1 track.
I’m deferring to the LGB experts, and I’d consider John’s answer above an expert opinion.
Daryl,
I will try and answer simply. It is neither 1:32 or 1:29th. As stated it’s about 1:26/27th ish. When I built an EMD F40 and Amtrak equipment I scaled/eyeballed about the same to run with LGB cars. So I’m not really sure if the concern is about actually about scale or what you can run with it?
From my experience this is what you can and can not get away with in a mixed manufacturer consist semi scale wise. Now mind you I’m not a scale guy as I model by eye but it has worked for me.
Works with LGB scale:
Aristo Craft both passenger and freight
Bachmann
AML ( for the most part about the same as USA Ultimate series)
LGB
Piko (I believe but I do not own any so I cannot say for sure)
Usa Trains ( most freight style rolling stock both American series (1:24) and Ultimate Series 1:29 can be blended in)
What does not work:
MTH 1:32
Lionel 1:32
AMS 1:32
USA Trains passenger cars true to scale 1:29
Hope this helps.
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From my experiences of running large scale engines and cars especially on large outdoor layouts is run your trains with all like size consistent from the same manufacture, or scale and your trains will look just fine. That is run your LGB stuff with other LGB stuff and USA Train stuff with other USA stuff, two different scale here but when running on a large layout who really looks at the difference in size. Our club sets up a large 5 loop layout several times a year at different railroad shows, etc. There is always one guy there width his LGB F7 ABA UP passenger set with 7-8 cars and it looks great and then there are the USA Trains with their large diesels and their consistent of 1/29 stuff. Some mix and match their stuff to there liking, no one cares, it’s just a hobby for most. I will tell you that many in this large scale hobby buy engines and cars because they like the looks of them and not so much because of scale, so just let each runner do what works for them and if it’s not your thing then do what works for you. So I guess someone figured out the LGB F7’s scale, 1:26/1:27 scale, question answered.
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Thanks everyone for your informative answers.
I’m guessing its not as nice a model as the USATrains F7 anyway.
Daryl
Well the USA you can buy an USA f7 A&B $747.00 , ($760 for a chrome SF) for less than a LGB A alone $799., so much more bang for your buck
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If the LGB scale is not to your liking, then a different manufacture will probably be better for you. Since I have been looking for a LGB F7 A&B set on eBay I have found some in the $700 range for both and I don’t care what road name they have on them as I will be repainting them to me road name. I found a clear body set for $800 new, I should have purchase them at the time, but I didn’t for what reason I don’t know. Here is a pic of how the would look painted in my road name, the Fort Worth & South-Western RR, looks pretty much like the Blackwidow paint scheme, well I am
a SP fan.
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