3rd RAIL F7 MODIFICATIONS

Looks SO much better with the 2R pilot and Kadee.  That in itself has changed the appearance dramatically.

The lift ring mod helps also.

Can't wait to see them weathered!

we ALL do not know that the Lifting Lugs on the front are in the wrong place.    To me they look about right for the Pennsy.     Pennsy had them on all their F-units and E-units.

Waiting on parts from P&D and Keiline for my NP aba set the lifting lugs appear correct for NP based on the pictures I have of The Engines.    What became of the vent window issue?

Dramatic improvement! 

prrjim posted:

we ALL do not know that the Lifting Lugs on the front are in the wrong place.    To me they look about right for the Pennsy.     Pennsy had them on all their F-units and E-units.

Let me clarify....the location is wrong for Santa Fe units.

aterry11 posted:

What became of the vent window issue?

Well Butch used Lionel F3 windows and they look great.

Lionel F3 windows.... unavailable, out of stock

Lionel F7 windows... I bought but I don't think they will fit, haven't got the shell off yet. They look too big!

P&D windows set.... as reported by Santiago they don't fit

Scott Mann.... does not have a fix as of yet

Swapping the factory windows left to right.... I will try once I take the shells off

Swapped the couplers on 2 units, but the gap is still too big for my taste. Will re-drill new holes in the Kadee brackets to move the couplers in for a smaller gap.

The problem: These diaphragms are ridged, so a closed gap could cause derailments on 072 curves without any flex. Testing to follow after re-drilling.

I have a set of Lionel F7 diaphragms if you need them... I was going to add them to another unit, or keep them as spares, but I see that you could use them. Then you can get close coupling at scale distances, like we did with our F3s and F7s. 

Mine are 2 rail and Kadee equipped I used an old BC hobbies diaphragm kit in between a and b both ends works well looks OK and will still squeeze around the tight ones .  But for ATSF you would paint them silver? I never removed anything.   Because of the way The Units are painted I'm placed between 1957 and 62,63?  the radio equipped pant  disappeared somewhere around there.  I need to remove and paint grills as NP never had an F7 with silver, add MU hoses to front of each a and winterization hatch, exhaust stack cover. different horns, firecracker radio antenna, sun visor, ladder rungs,   and cooling coil. that's not too much for a super running allpower set has no problem pulling all the heavy arse cars I build.

CentralFan1976 posted:

I have a set of Lionel F7 diaphragms if you need them... I was going to add them to another unit, or keep them as spares, but I see that you could use them. Then you can get close coupling at scale distances, like we did with our F3s and F7s. 

Looks good so far! Did you have to order the 2 rail pilot or did they come with them (like Atlas)?

A most needed thread. My mods are in full swing. I've been doing the following:

-Painted the grills silver.. that shiny mirror like finish looks bad IMO.

- Filled the tab holes behind the grills. Why were they there if they were not used is beyond me.

- Sprayed Micro Scale Satin (50 water-50 product) to combat the overly shiny finish. Did paint touch ups before re spraying.

Below: Here is a B unit with all these changes, Notice the tab holes are gone!

Below: silver grills on the left, mirror like out of the box on the right.

Hand painted the bolt details for a better appearance. A less expensive alternative to P&D's superb grabs.

ss

Below: Satin finish on the right.

Norm,

I had to order the 2 rail pilot and the steps with my ATSF freight units, $40.00.

Santiago,

I've been thinking of selectively putting flat on the upper surface of the freights, as well as, the A unit nose and both A&B tanks and trucks. Do you think Dullcoat can sprayed would work ok?

The paint work as delivered does not blow me away.

Ron H

Norm Charbonneau posted:

Looks good so far! Did you have to order the 2 rail pilot or did they come with them (like Atlas)?

Had to order them from Scott. I also ordered the body mount steps for the sides. The truck mounted steps gotta go! The 2R guys have a lot less work to do as they obviously come with the pilots, Kadees and steps. I guess that's what I get for having a center rail  Oh well.

To bring the units closer together, I modified the brackets and the draft gear boxes for clearance.

Now this is acceptable in my book. Nice and close as they should be. This is slack in with the Kadees.

Below is slack stretched out.... and it's enough slack where they still run on an 072 curve without binding.

Grills off to re-glue and fill tab holes. Truck mounted steps also removed for body mounted steps. 3 rail models should have them body mounted anyway. No one is buying these for 036 curves.

Ron I'm going to use Dull-Cote.... but not in a spray can, that kinda makes my butt pucker, I'll air brush it.

I'm going to close couple mine with a  fabricated drawbar as I did with the Alcos, very simple and reliable.

Ron H posted:

Norm,

I had to order the 2 rail pilot and the steps with my ATSF freight units, $40.00.

Santiago,

I've been thinking of selectively putting flat on the upper surface of the freights, as well as, the A unit nose and both A&B tanks and trucks. Do you think Dullcoat can sprayed would work ok?

The paint work as delivered does not blow me away.

Ron H

 

 

Ron, I can't say. I've never used that. I like the versatility of airbrushing. Much more control. 

Ron H posted:

I'm going to close couple mine with a  fabricated drawbar as I did with the Alcos, very simple and reliable.

I just like to look in there and see all the "stuff" cluttered up. Couplers, air hoses, mu hoses, diaphragms, buffers etc

Doug, I agree.

I still do all that stuff too.

Ron

Santiago, what did you use to fill the tab holes? strip styrene?

What kind of glue did you use to put the grills back on? I want something more flexible than CA, and doesn't turn white with a kicker.