Lowering Lionel F7s

For those of you that followed me on my quest to convert my fleet to scale height motive power and Kadees, you've probably already seen my threads on lowering Lionel F3s, Sharks and MTH PAs.

Here's the next. Lowering the "high water" F7s.

This started as a project when I received a Lionel F7B shell from a friend. From there, I thought it would be easy to swap them into a TMCC-equipped and powered F7B. Boy, was I wrong. Not only were they high, and I mean REALLY high, but the "NIB" B unit that I bought was not exactly.

To make a long story short, after swapping in a working R2LC, I was able to drop the frame by adding washers under the motor mount (see lowering Lionel F3s for details) and cutting the shell posts to achieve the scale ride height. I've used the already lowered F3 as a gauge.



Frame mounted steps, Kadees and coupler carriers to follow.

Thanks,
Mario