F40PH Cabbage

I'm wanting to build a Cabbage for the Downeaster.If you have built a cabbage, let's see them. Also any recommendations? I'll be starting off with an undec Kato F40PH.

 

Look Model sold brass cabbage units a few years ago. Dunno if they still do -



-Mark

 

Last I checked, their page wouldn't load to order from, giving a webhost address instead.

 

That's a beautiful model. Was it powered?

 

Nope, unpowered cab-control unit (ala the prototype). The model did have working lights, though. And the DCC version had animated ditchlights.

http://www.lookmodel.jp/product/cabbage.html

-Mark

 

I've suggested it to Kato several times.

 

Pardon my ignorance by what is "cabbage" referring to? A paint scheme?

 

The fact that it is a former loco that has been converted into a control cab and baggage unit, hence Cabbage.

 

I started one. Have it all cut up and ready for details. Kato's phase isn't correct though, and there's multiple phases of Cabbages as well.

I have pics, I'd gladly share offline.

 

Matt,
I'd love to see them. But I can't PM you my email.

 

I've actually done three. Two are completed and one is getting ready to be painted up in the Cascades scheme:

The Phase IV unit (last two pictures) will be the version you are doing (mostly smoothed sides and completely smoothed out roof detail).

If you want working details, I can put those on here too... They've been up either here or on Amtrak Modeler (Yahoo Group) before.

These three projects were very rewarding. I still have one more coming sometime, it will be painted in the current paint scheme.

Chris

 

Matt, I'd love to see your work too... would you share via email?

 

Sorry guys, forgot I turned off PMs here. It's on now.

cf, looks like you and I have the same approach. Did you repaint, or just re-decal the stripes and numbers? I'm going for an early version where only the vents over the door are blanked out. Although the Phase IV is calling my name....maybe with the new ditchlight version out, I'll tackle that one too.

I thought I had pics of mine all cut up (which is where it still is progress wise), but I do not. I can do that this weekend. I had originally intended to write an article on modeling the unit, but it's taking me way too long. It may end up on Model160 instead at some point.

 

Nice work Chris! I have one (or two) of these on my TO DO list. I plan to model the Heartland Flyer (Fort Worth to OKC) which used Cabbages more often than not until a few years ago.

 

I have one on the backburner, how did you get rid of the vents by the fans?

 

Thanks for the kind words guys!

Matt, I did re-paint and re-decal.

Pie39, I used Zap-A-Gap glue to fill in the vents. Then I sanded them down to be flush with the surrounding structure. It wasn't too difficult!

 

Chris, that Heartland Flyer you have there is awesome - complete with the hi-levels too! Shot it many, many times in Norman when I was going to OU.

Never would have guessed there were other folks interested in having an exact model of that train other than me and a few of the guys at the N-Track club there.

 

Nick,

Yeah, I've never seen the older version with my own eyes, but I love it. Thanks for the complement!
Here is the whole train:

Chris

 

Those hi-level cars were pretty, but they were mighty uncomfortable compared to the Superliners, at least when I rode them - rode rough and had less cushiony seats.

You need a little Oklahoma flag decal for 90229 and you'll be all set.

 

You can add another paint scheme to the mix... California DOT (d.b.a. Amtrak California) has leased 90218 from Amtrak, though it is painted in CalTrain colors...
http://rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=179734

They are also leasing some Horizon cafe cars and some ex-NJT Comet 1b coaches (rebuilt e.m.u. coaches). Not sure why the cafe car that I have seen has NJT-type paint but it is adding an interesting aside to the future of California operations.