The first thing to do is to make it a fully functioning locomotive. It's missing the bell and a few other things that are needed to allow the ORM to use it. Then the ORM wants to return it to the SANTA FE markings. Like so. Thanks randgust for the link! When it was just an F7, it looked like this:
Finished artwork at the etcher, I'm waiting too... GP15 chassis test 'successful', sort of like the Scott expedition to the South Pole was successful. So here's the Atlas GP7 frame and the Atlas GP15 frame 'toe to toe', GP15 on top, GP7 on bottom. While everybody focuses on the wheelbase, that's not the issue. Note that the GP15 frame is longer, requiring cutting on both ends beyond the frame screws. The fuel tank is cast on the frame as well. This is the chopped frame that now fits nicely in the CF7 body. Until I get the etched parts on (mostly steps) I can't show side-by-side comparisons of the two wheelbases. But you can appreciate the amount of material that had to be cut off the GP15 frame to make this work. The real trick, that worked, is reversing the frame so that you only have to cut off 1/3 of the tank instead of the entire tank. The biggest surprise post-assembly is that the entire frame runs slightly high. It's the design of the thing. I've got it down as far as it's going to go in the shell, it's still high by about .015. I had to shim the coupler boxes down, didn't have to on the GP7 - it's right on the money. So to get that wheelbase that magic foot shorter you're also making a tradeoff on ride height.
OK, so as they say in Monte Python, 'but I'm not dead yet!' Pricing came back OK, still moving ahead, waiting for samples now. To give you an idea, this will be a LOT like a Kaslo F59 kit, resin parts plus a whole lot of high-quality photoetchings. This thing can still go sour, but I promise you as soon as one is worked up with all the parts on it, the photos will show up right here first.
Etchings are in now and they look pretty good. I'm kind of holding my breath here as I finish one up as an ATSF unit as a 'demo'. I'm about halfway into one. The concept of including the drilling templates for the handrails seems to have beaten the problem on the sides. That looks very good. The etched step parts and the handrails are looking quite good, although I found a fit issue on the front steps that means a minor adjustment in the resin mold. What I'm concerned about is getting the instructions figured out here because if I can't figure out how to do it relatively cleanly, heaven help anybody else. Photos soon. This test assembly/demo is a necessary part and I can't rush it. When I first tried to put the etched steps together (five seperate etched pieces per stepwell), it did not go well. It took two tries before I found a technique to do it relatively easily. The first step assembly try took an hour. The last step took under five minutes. Wow, was it worth it though to do it this way.
Quite glad that the progress has picked up and progressing along well once again. Can't wait for the completion
OK, so I got one finished to the point that I showed it at Bedford. Doing the final detail painting, decaling, and touchup now as an ATSF unit, of course. It's still too early to do production-level casting so all I can do is prepare for the next couple weeks. I think I have a good arrangement with Craig Martyn at BLMA to provide the 15" drop grabs with the kit that I used with it. Other than that, every detail part you need right down to the side mirrors is included on the photoetch sheets. I think that one of the coolest things is the oddball ATSF cut levers with the handles you can reach from the steps, those were pioneered by ATSF on the CF7. Pricing for the conversion kit - with the option of frame sides and cab, and the two photoetch brass detail sheets, will be $49. I will have a very limited number of Atlas GP7 Phase I long hoods for an additional $5. Photoetch sheets ONLY (like for the JnJ casting) will be $29. The 'official' backlog kit list is done by emailing to cf7@randgust.com. That contact list started accumulating in 2010, that will also be the order in which kits are offered. If you've already emailed contact info to that you don't need to again, but if you haven't then toss an email in there, that's the official contact list on kit availability. Surprisingly enough, I haven't managed to loose it after all this time. The response that I've had to date off that email list has kept me going, even when I sincerely have questioned my sanity on pursuing this project at times. Meanwhile, back to writing the instructions....
Way to go! I'm fairly sure that I got my name in there but can't exactly remember. I've followed this project and been interested from the very beginning; and must say how proud I am of your manner of sticking to and completing. I know that it wasn't easy and appeared to be quite trying. Once again Way To Go, BRAVO and I look forward to building one of your fine models and running it on my layout. Congrats and I'm sure a job well done.
OK, so here's the pilot model that I finished to check the fit of all the photoetchings. It's important to emphasize that NOTHING is added to this model that isn't with the kit or the base Atlas GP. All the handrails, details, cut levers, hoses, etc. are included, and the BLMA grab irons as well, thanks to Craig. Decals are Microscale. 2471 was the first unit built with the angular 'Topeka' cab. You can see Craig's nice 15" drop grabs here, and if you're doing something like this there's no reason to not take it to that level: The handrails are one piece per item; stanchions are rails are etched together. The trick is a drilling jig for each side that comes with the kit. So there's much less chance you'll mess it up. It works really well. This shot shows off the CF7-unique cut levers, the .005 etched steps, and the .005 brass radio ground plane plate above the headlight. These are posted here before I even update my own web page!
Randy, those look pretty nice. Here's a couple of links for the two I am planning: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=192733&nseq=9 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=184641&nseq=11 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DrTowL4cK...Ik/gzVIpt_kTYw/s1600-h/blog-cf7-pre-scrap.jpg http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=290681 Athearn's Version: http://fastserve.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/ATH/450/ATH91562-450.jpg And the photo that ensures that no matter how many times I change my era cut-off date, it probably won't exceed September 2007. :-( http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DrTowL4cK6U/Rwhp5truW0I/AAAAAAAABIs/NoDP0s47QwM/s1600-h/blog-cf7-scrap.jpg Obviously squared cab, but what is the nomenclature for the frame....open?
Wow, I didn't know they'd been cut up. The two RESCAR units use the post-FRA single-window angled cab (which I make), otherwise pretty standard. I'm particularly fond of those because they painted all the lift bars and details a contrasting color to the body color. Makes all that photoetching worthwhile. I'm really puzzled why they'd take the frame and leave the cabs, reminds me of finding fish heads left over on a dinner plate. I'm not sure if the frame question is a serious one or a joke about the scrapping... but ATSF started out in 1969 with a frame design that was more like an open I-beam over the trucks. It wasn't strong enough, and additional plate steel was welded over the I-beam edges on the narrow section, making it into a box beam. That's the 'closed' frame that was on every surviving CF7 that left ATSF. Unless you're modeling ATSF prior to about 1974, the closed-edge frame is the right one.
I'm in desperate need of the taller exhaust stacks for my GP7/9R's. Can it be arranged at some point for me to buy those on their own? Awesome kit.
I'm so happy I can't remember if I got on the list! Pretty sure I did. :happy::wink: I was thinking about this scheme.. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=308454&nseq=1 But I think I may go freelanced instead. Great thing about the CF's is all the paint jobs.. Randy, have you thought about the Topeka cabs for those die hard SF nuts out there you can kill off?
