P&D F Unit detailing for CB&Q F3

They will not be change from the FP7.  The biggest change is in the Y dimension and I can understand their point.  The builder has put together a great design team and their research and mine see things a bit different.  The number of people who have noticed the difference and said something is one: me.

Thanks for the input, I would love to see how your units came out!

 

I have not, bud. Have you? Of course it depends on the look of the model itself and how to match it, but i don't think a chrome look would work, I think its more like an painted silver or "dull" aluminum. Which is true for the prototypes since those were painted silver and did not have a chrome or polished steel finish. So far I have used revell, testors and acrylics paints in both enamels and water base. Metallic enamels have been difficult to work with when it comes to thinning for airbrushing. On the other hand, thinning acrylic paints with Tamiya's acrylic thinner works great for airbrushing since it act as a retardant and the paint flows beautifully. Nothing definite yet, but will post results when I have something more substantial.

Santiago, this is the stainless steel look I'm chasing:

 

 

I finally got some parts today, the Lionel fuel tanks. This were the last parts I ordered, but the first ones I received, thank you holiday shipping!

 

I think they look great, and they should be a big improvement over the Atlas fuel tanks.  Here are some pics with measurements should anyone wants to order them. The part number for these is 610-4595-506, and are from the Scale Western Pacific F7's. I ordered those because they were cheaper than the F3's, they came already in silver and unlike the F3's these had the added details included with the piece.

 

The tabs for the screws look very thick, so I'll file them so the screws are not so visible from the underside.

 

 

Hmmmm, I know there are some paints that you can polish for a better look. But I don't know which ones. Are the parts removable? If so, maybe you can have them electroplated? I have not used the the paint you posted. I too have wondered about getting that finish before, but have not plunged into it, and I think it's an issue we could discuss in its own thread. A quick research on the web and you get various spray cans that promise this finish, however they are not aimed at modeling and I would be concerned about aging and plastic compatibility.  

Alclad

http://alclad2.com

Erik, I'm looking for a finish closely similar to the photo of The Texas Special observation car posted above.  Is it your experience that the Alclad product will work on properly prepared LIONEL 15" extruded aluminum cars?

Erik, did Key ever make these engines?

       
       



They are due after the FT's in the late F unit project. 2015-2016

Extruded aluminum usually is polished and sealed with a satin top coat. This is how we used to finish out the Midland Reproductions kits. They are silver, stainless steel is silver not nickle like brass plated models. Silver plating is best at 3-4 times the cost.

Alclad is for non silver applications like brass or plastic. I would polish your Aluminum and seal it. You can put it on anything after all its your model.



       

I have tried the AlClad and dumped it. It was going to take 3 bottles of the paint to do 2 Weaver E units, I just went back to ScaleCoat 2 Aluminum with some very light dust for weathering.

 

Dick

Guys, I received the engines yesterday. I love them, coming from an all MTH roster these blew me away. I'll post pictures as I make progress, for now here are some pics as "out of the box". These also will work for reference for the "before" and "after" shots.

 

 

Very pretty locomotives

They look great! Should be an easy swap for the pilots and I was looking at the fuel tanks. If the biggest issue is the vertical dimension, can we just shim them to drop them close to the track? I really don't want to transfer the speaker and such.

Can't wait to see these done, they're going to look spectacular!

Thanks.
Mario

SANTIAGOP23, thanks for the update and photos.  Yours is one of the few threads I follow with anticipation.  Very, very happy for you that you are pleased with the locos, and look forward to more posts along the way from you.

The biggest problem with the fuel tanks is not Z, it's X and Y. They are small in all dimensions but mostly X.  The PD hobbies tanks were fine so Atlas had to come up with these all on their own.

I wonder is there a way to improve on those horrible plastic headlight lenses with the rod like shape that acts like a fibre optic?

Needs a reflector and lens-- the pre-sealed beam units used the full reflector and done right look really top shelf.

I did a pretty good job on the P&D units when I built them. Went as far as using brass Pyle national sealed units on the later models.





You could add the silver stripes to the sides of the number boards too; and the MU hatches. =)

You could have a lot of fun detailing these.

After enough arm twisting I got FM Train Model to shape up and do the reflectors correct on the E5 project. They just never listened until I brow beat them enough. I had to draw pictures to explain it.


I would say the final project was a total success. Just beautiful.

If you have not noticed I am extreme obsessive compulsive with projects.

I like your Empire Strikes Back poster that's awesome

 

 

Thanks, bud. It's made by a graphic artist that I love called Olly Moss.

Check him out! http://ollymoss.com/

Thanks for the nice words, bud!

Thanks, Mario!

 

Yes, Rdnunii is right, you are better off changing them altogether

It took them forever to arrive, but I received the parts from P&D today. Here are the ones that I'll definitely be using. The pilot is a perfect fit (same shells duh!) and the interior kit is outstanding.

 

I'll have to order some more parts from PD again, for some reason I thought that the front nose grabs and the pilot grabs came with the PDP5793K maintenance kit, but they don't. So I assume I'll have to order a couple of kits PDP5791K EMD F Unit Grab Iron set for A's, includes cast brass Grab Irons for A units. If anyone can confirm that, it would be great.

 

f

Atlas' door handles are really thick, so I got some of these which are a bit nicer. I may end up using the ones from the PD cab interior which are perfect and placing these inside the cab. 

 

Contrary to what was suggested here, the grab iron in the green circle does not come with the PDP5793K EMD F Unit grab iron maint. set for A's (brass). If anyone knows in which set does it come or which part number it is please, please let me know so I can order it again.

 

 

 

These are all the parts that do come with the set.

 

If you haven't done so already, send Pat at P&D an email with your photo and pose the question to him. 

Any luck with the build?

 

I love those interior kits!

I'm on it, guys! I've been busy with work, but every spare time I get I work on this project. Here are some process shots.

 

I darkened the vents behind the chicken wire to give a sense of depth.

I used micro scale silver decal paper to extend the silver lines on the number boards. They look nice, I think.

 

The P&D windshield wipers are nicer than the Atlas ones. Here they are installed.

 

I also drilled the coupler brackets with a 1/32 drill and used 0.20 brass wire for the coupler lift bar. I painted the couplers silver, but I will also weather them.

 

The pilot is sanded and ready for some primer. The coupler lift bar handle needs to be attached. Those small handles on the pilot door come with the pilot door, they are a real nice touch.

 

 

After many tries, I found a paint that I'm satisfied with. The revell acqua silver #90. I'll let you guys be the judge... I still need to find a satin finish mix for the finish.

 

FANTASTIC

Great!  I can't wait to see how they come out.

I was thinking of lightening up the vents behind my chicken wire grills! They're already black!

I agree, the silver is a great match.  Personally, I bring the unit to a local auto paint store to match the color, but then again, I'm not matching metal, just basic black.

Congratulations! They are going to be amazing!

Thanks,
Mario

How is it coming Santiago?

I received the last order from PD last week. I'm not happy with the mars and headlight as they are here. In the new parts I got the mars light from cal scale, they are nice but too big so I'll have to work on them. The bolt detailed irons make a world of difference. I wish I could move forward faster but there has not been much time for me. I'll post pictures of those parts and the cab later tonight. Thanks for the attention guys. You are awesome.
 

Santiago, nicely done; this is a great thread--thanks for posting.

I couldn't agree more. Keep going you are doing fantastic

I also agree...great thread.  Your doing some great work....

Reminds me of the angle iron "step" Seaboard put on their E7s:

 

 

 

Great find on that paint, looks like an exact match!

Some progress guys...

 

I worked on the head and mars lights, what I did was to modify a cal scale mars light housing for F units. These pieces are huge, but with a little grinding they look great! Now I need to chrome them and find the lenses...

 

 

 

 

Also worked on the trucks a bit... the break cyliders have molding lines, so I sand them down and repainted. I also replaced the brake cylinders line to a less thick wire...

 

The left is the modified one and the right is Atlas out of the box...

 

on the pic below the left is Atlas the right is the modified one....

I also noticed from pictures on their website the extent that 3rd rail went into detailing their CB&Q FT... Nice! I haven't seen anyone post pictures of this engine on the forum so... Still don't know what I'll do for the square type speed recorder... suggestions?

 

Some more awesome work!  The new brake lines look excellent.