P&D F Unit detailing for CB&Q F3

Santiago, your F's have the look of "heft" that is best expressed in O Scale and in fine-scale models.  Although HO has some very good F models (Genesis?) due to their small size, they just don't convey a sense of realism like your locomotives do.

HAHAHAHAHA!  Good April fools joke. On vertical drive trucks???  HAhaha.

Oh, you weren't kidding?  Ahhhh, no.  Of course you can grind/cut the roller bearings out and replace them with PD hobbies journals, but THAT'S a lot of work.

Awesome! Please do post pics of those beauties when you get them.

It is! Thanks Mark. It's been a while since I go to Chicago, I need to go back!

Thank you, Hot Water! You're right, I need to do that. The atlas truck does not allow for changes, it's a diecast piece with a few plastic add-ons.

I made some tentative work on the journals today. First I grind the truck as much as I can without risking damage.

Modified P&D box square journal.

What do you guys think?

What do you guys think?

We think you are setting new standards!

MAGNIFICO, senor Santiago!!!

Omg! No doubt meticulous craftsman Santiago will have a functional dead man's pedal, next! Extremely laudable modeling!

Totally agree! Remember that the largest big square J-1 journal box, referred to as the "Combination Box", is for the speed recorder drive.

You guys are too kind, thanks!

Hot water, they tell me the only ones who make the square speed recorder is OSA line with Des Plaines Hobbies. I call them and they are sold out and it would be 3 plus months to get a new order in.

Does anyone know how can I get this part? Maybe from a different place?

Is this a separate part from 3rd rails FT trucks? Maybe I can get them from 3rd rail or some other manufacturer?

Santiago - Have you found headlight lenses yet?  If so where? 

I searched for a solution a few years back and could never find a readily available flat headlight lens that would work for F units.

hmm not yet....I have to figure it out. Suggestions?

Suggestions?

I never found a solution that worked for me, which means that I could order it.  I tried pretty hard.  I even purchased scientific ground lenses.  

I corresponded a bit with Bob Sobol about his work on his magnificent P&D F unit.  He ended up punching out his own lenses.  

http://bobsobol.smugmug.com/Tr...68128&k=rBj6Q25..

Santiago if you come up with something please post.

Here is some work on the cab interior... I installed a couple of surface mount LED's on the roof and dimmed the brightness with a resistor. For paint I used revell 55 enamel, which I think is a nice sea foam green. The paint is flat, so I put a gloss finish on top to give the sense of painted metal. I also installed a light for the panels . I did mess up a couple of times putting together the P&D kit, but I'm happy overall. Lastly I will add the cords for the horns. 

Sure never saw any Engineers nor Fireman dressed like that in the U.S.!

Will do bud....I have seen the A&O F units, they are awesome!

http://www.ncmrc.org/downloads/Stewart2004.pdf

http://www.ncmrc.org/downloads/StewartCovers.pdf

Ha! You're right HW. I better give them some overalls... Thanks for pointing it out.

That's so cool, Erik! I love that!

Did you also do the research for these units? Could you please tell me what part is the one in the red circles? Looks like a bell to me... If so why was it not located behind the pilot?

Your interior work is spectacular!  Bravo!!!

FANTASTIC UNBELIEVABLE workmanship! that interior is super tell me where to send my units for the master to do the job on them!

Excellent!

Santiago -  A couple of years ago, I fashioned a ceiling plate like the P&D unit and used mini surface mounted LED's in the same positions you did on this Sunset/3rd Rail E7.  It is a superior technique in place of what Atlas and Sunset use for their interior lighting.  Add shades and keeping the Sunset interior, you end up with a reasonable, economical interior.  I'll be 2 railing this engine in the not to distant future. 

Sweet! I expect to do little to no work at all on my 3rd rail F7's!

just wanted to re-fresh the thread!

the guts of the Atlas F3's in case anyone was interested...

The tail meets the head!

More I see F unit more I love it 

beautiful engine Santiago

also Erik ones

Found this one today...

Santiago,

I've really enjoyed this thread and believe me, I appreciate how long it can take working on these itty bitty parts with big hands. Just superb work.

Ron H.

I am curious as to what type of drive, horizontal or China,  has less jerk in low speed starts. Nothing more toy like than a model that jerks to stop and go. No realism in it.

Great job, Santiago!  Your work is stunning!

China. But it's pretty decent compared to other china drives. No jerk at speed step 1.