The F-3 assembly line. But getting that nose job paint scheme on is a a pain First two F-3s from back last year are the two SP&S units in the rear, representing thier first two units shortly after arriving on the RR. GN units will be an A-A set in the 200 series, dual service, two A-B sets in the 200 series, freight, one set has the added vents, and a phase four F-3A, freight in the 300 series. It is the last unit of an ABA set with an AB already finished. All units have gotten or getting Gold Medals stirrups, American Limited Diaphragms, lift rings, windshield wipers, MTs, Sunrise pilots, and the B units will be getting Gold Medals brass fuel tank sides since that detail is missing. The two A-A units are also getting brass wire grabs completely replacing all cast on detail. Power chassis will be refurbished older Kato power units, and refurbished Bmann F-7 chassis. [ April 17, 2005, 03:47 PM: Message edited by: John Moore ]
Your shops are really humming with activity! Becoming quite prolific! Question for you- Have you ever changed number boards on an F unit nose? I'm thinking of getting one of the FT A-B NP sets. However, both MT, and IM have the "as delivered" old style. And I want the later "cheek" style. To fit my mid-late 1960's scheme. Wondering how difficult it will be, to gain the proper appearance. Not sure if my shaky fingers are still capable of such a task..... Boxcab E50
Cast my own since what I wanted was unavailable. Both GN striped units are Katos and had as delivered side number boards. Made silicon rubber mold from Kato shell with correct boards, and cast from resin. Unit on far right is a Bmann with JNJ Alco RS number boards adapted to fit. Some of my cast boards are on the small box by the molds. Still have to do some filing to get them to fit in a carefully notched nose, and they had to be filed down for thickness. Other than filing your own from styrene there is only what I have found at JNJ. http://users.dwx.com/~jnjtrains/products_%20frame.htm They make an F unit large number board, probably what you want. As far as for the left over resin when casting this small I break out my mold selection and cast extras like truck bolsters, logging disconnects, tender oil tanks etc.
As far as FTs go I'm looking at doing that also to at least three A units when I get around to them and a set of FA-1 A units. With luck My order from JNJ will be in hand then.
Number boards like that are available from Kato as a separate part. The PAs use them. [edit] Part no. 934050
John- I had the JnJ boards pointed out to me at one time. Tried to look at them on their web site. But couldn't really tell about their quality. Worrying about how well they'd fit the rounded nose. Please let me know. Russell- Are those Katos something that can be ordered directly from them? Boxcab E50
Trying to remember the JNJ boards and I can't say for any certainty that they have any curvature or not to snug fit on the round nose, or if they had to be gently filed a bit. Flash suggested the Kato part and I checked the Katousa site but no picture to tell me anything about whether they might fit an F-3. You can order from thier website. Some F-3 shells were still available from Kato with both A and B units listed a few weeks back. And the larger dealers like woo woo woo Kleins and others do stock Kato shells and replacement parts. Bought some snow plows just this last weekend. I got lucky last year and acquired two Kato F-3s virtually new in a consignment sale at the LHS. Needed a slightly different phase shell with dual headlights and steam gen. and found same through a gentleman only referred to as Kato Bob at one of the shows up in Timonium, MD. The left over shells, plus two more recently acquired are the F-3s being fitted over Bmann F-7 chassis in this latest project. Two of the A shells are original Concor being reworked and placed back on refurbed Kato mechanisms that were originally under them.
