SP F3 with Icicle breakers (Breaking the ice on the California coast)

Hi Gang
I have recently set up this F3 with Icicle breakers. I would like your opinion on proportions because I don't have drawings of the prototype to go by. Since I am eyeballing this project I thought the more eyes maybe the better. I am planning on setting up more F units but before I get too deep in to it I thought some of you might have some helpful criticism and or sources for prototype info.

 

Proportionally, they look ok. On that note though, I am not 100% sure that they had any F-3s with icicle breakers. F-7s yes. I don't have any of my reference material with me so I can't be sure.

 

Wow that looks pretty good. I've never heard of icicle breakers tho? Did other roads besides the SP use them?

 

The Canadian Pacific used a similar type Icicle breaker.

 

The proportions look good to me. However, weren't the breakers only on FP7s on the SP? I don't recall seeing any on "standard" SP F-Units.

 

Andrew and Marc

It is my understanding that the Icicle breakers were equipped on SP locomotives pulling passenger trains that included the dome car in the consist. The dome cars were particularly vulnerable to the icicles in the snow sheds of Donner Pass. In order to protect the dome cars some of the passenger locomotives were fitted with the icicle breakers. I have seen pictures of Alco PA's, EMD F7's and FP7's fitted with the icicle breakers in many of the SP books. Interestingly enough I have yet to see any of the EMD E units equipped with them nor the F3's that you questioned. So you are probably right. I have not glued the breakers in place on the F3's in question but since I don't have any F7's or FP7's yet and because the F3 is pretty close in design to the F7 I thought it would provide the visual reference to proportion that would be needed. Thank you for your opinion on the proportion and obviously I can't slip anything easily by on this group. But that's why I asked.

Now back to the Icicle breakers I think the front breakers may be a bit to wide. I am going to tighten them up and give it another try. Hopefully next time I will have some F7's or FP7's to show them on.

Thanks again for your opinions they are well taken.

 

They were built as freight units starting in 1947 and were transferred to the T&NO in 1949 so none would have had reason for the ice breakers... but you have a really nice model there... thanks for sharing it!!!

 

May I add, since you are doing a kind of fanciful locomotive, add a snow plow. That would go perfectly with the ice breakers.

Enjoy,
Wolf

 

Joe - this would make for a great detailing article (*hint* *hint*).

 

I agree with Joe:

I'd love to have more info on how you made those, esp. since InterMountain now has bloody-nose FP7(A)s available (I already have the plows en route, + 2 Rotaries & dedicated Snails also 'Under Construction'...)

 

Gold Metal Models makes a SP PA detail set that includes the icicle breaker parts.

 

¡Gracias!

 

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