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eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:29 PM

Business Trains.
UP has one, BNSF has one. CSX has one. NS has one.
Conrail HAD one.
The Central New England is getting one.

Someone from work gave me this old Athearn F7 shell. He just wanted the drive. I had a drive, with a chewed up shell.
The paint job on this was pretty bad. Lettering and color seperation was horrendous. At first I was going to improve the paint and replace the lettering with decals. Then I decided to make this the power for abusiness train.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:34 PM

Since I still had a Walthers "Dress-up kit" (Made specifically for the Athearn F7, F9) that I was going to use on my F7, before it became a chew toy, I was going to add those details, along with some from Details Associates, and Details West.

First, I scrapped off the plastic nub "lifting eyes".

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:36 PM

Removing the horns(I'm going to use only one), I then sanded smooth the mold lines using 600 grit sandpaper.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:38 PM

Next, I chiseled off the steam generator details, and sanded smooth the roof panel.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:44 PM

After I took care of the steam generator panel, I moved my attention to the holes left over from the horns. Using Evergreen Styrene Plastic rod, I plugged the holes, using CA(super)glue. When that had set, I trimmed the nubs and sanded smooth.
A little foresight...I could of waited to sand the mold lines, when I did this step.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:51 PM

For some strange forgtton reason, I had cut the front portion of the frame of the drive off(Actually I think I got it that way at a show), so I fashioned coupler doors from styrene sheet.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-09-2009, 06:54 PM

I then drilled the holes for the handrails, grabs and lifting eyes. After that I installed Deatil Associates eye bolts(#2206) in the roof panels. After that had set, I washed the shell in warm water and I'm letting sit over night.
I will add the grabs and handrails after I paint the shell. Though I did put one on the nose.

Next: Prep for paint

LiveSteamer · 03-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Looking Good Ed. Thumbsup

Ralph · 03-09-2009, 07:22 PM

I'll be following this one Ed! Cool project!
Ralph

sgtcarl1 · 03-09-2009, 07:45 PM

Lookin' good, Ed!! Thumbsup

nkp_174 · 03-09-2009, 08:29 PM

Come on! You've got to tell us your plans for the good part...the private varnish!

I believe that the president of the road demands an interior! Will the train be all platform cars...or a mix. A 10-6 sleeper would be in order for a non-vestibule car...for those lowly secretary and food prep types. I know that some 10-6s were used in the official trains for a few of the modern roads...with their stainless steel sheathing removed, of course.

jim currie · 03-09-2009, 10:34 PM

neat work Ed . what is the drive you have for it Hi Fi ? Icon_lol

eightyeightfan1 · 03-10-2009, 10:15 AM

Thanks guys.

Here,s the start of the "varnish"
An old IHC Heavyweight baggage car is being transformed into the generator/tool car.
I cut the one door out for the radiator for the generator.. I also blocked out the other side, and one door each on the opposite end.

eightyeightfan1 · 03-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Unfolding the instructions to get a number for the "Dress-up" kit, which by the way is 770201(Probably not available anymore since the Horizon take-over of Athearn), I noticed templates for the roof grabs.

Using that I drilled holes for the roof grabs, then installed them. Then re-washed for paint.

nkp_174 · 03-10-2009, 10:23 AM

Thanks for sharing some of the varnish! Nice to see that you're bashing it too! Cheers

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