Hello, I've been wondering has anyone ever renumbered or repainted an IM F unit? For those who have repainted one, how did you handle all of the handrails and other details found on the units? Also, if you have pics please show them! I enjoy seeing a good looking F unit.
A number of years ago I painted up two sets of CB&Q greybacks. One was a Kato F-3 set the other an IM FT set. As I remember I ended up taking all the detail parts off to do the painting and decaling on the IM units. And since it has been some time I do not remember if I had any difficulty in getting the parts loose. I have an old very small and poor picture of both taken with an older camera.
OK, I'll bite. I really liked the look and grilles of the IM unit, but I model the 1970's when these were the grimiest and most-beat locomotives on the ATSF roster. As they were due for rebuilding into CF7's, they received no maintenance to speak of and were dispatched to Cleburne if the fell. So here's the start: Note that I pulled off just about everything, including the grilles, and added all the detail I wanted. The blue was too blue and the yellow was too yellow, so both got repainted with Floquil paint (ATSF blue and Reefer Yellow, and Microscale decals) And here's the 'beat fleet' queen result:
I thought I had some better pix out on the cloud somewhere, but this will do for now: This was an ATSF Cigar Band (I think) that I stripped (with isopropyl) and repainted into CBQ greyback. The decals are Microscale. All of the trim including windows, rear door, screens & etc. came off during the stripping process. Don't lose anything! After cleaning and drying I re-attached what needed to be painted, and left off what didn't.
Short answer, yes... Long answer, http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/group.php?discussionid=482&do=discuss
Thanks guys! I'd like to know how you all got off the detail parts without hurting them or the shell? I'm thinking of eventually doing some Southern F7s and I'm also considering saving up for IM's next run of FTs this year. By the way has anyone converted an IM drawbar equipped FT to one with a coupler or the coupler to a drawbar?
I used a #2 Xacto blade to remove the grilles and the glass. Tweezers to pull the side handrails so I could work under them. I was perfectly willing to replace all the handrails I pulled with new brass wire. They were a little thick anyway. Getting the grilles back ON was the challenge; just a hint of needle-applied ACC was all it took.
That ATSF unit without the grilles, is that an F7 or a rebuilt F3, I've been considering getting a pair of F7's so I can do Seattle North coast #101 and #102 now that I've secured the decals. the only thing missing is the GN style plow for #101. This is a photo in Garibaldi, Oregon where this ex SNC/GN unit is being cared for and run.
