1. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, looks like major progress going on there. Kudos for the pilot removal and plow job on the pilot. The windshields look much better with the Stewart glass put in after filing and after you replace the front number boards it should look great!
     
  2. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    On the numberboards...well... They are now the correct length but they are still too tall. I hope they won't be too noticeable.
    [​IMG]

    Add two .020 inch sheets to the basic side skirt:
    [​IMG]

    Sand to shape and add details and "Presto!" A 1500 gallon fuel tank:
    [​IMG]

    This next picture was my solution to the extra space between the units. Hopefully that won't be too noticeable, either. I'll add a diaphragm to further cloud the issue.
    [​IMG]

    I have decide how to paint the unit without stripping. More on that later.
     
  3. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    This is a interesting project. I'm looking forward how do you paint it without stripping.

    Wolfgang
     
  4. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    I didn't have a Nathan P5 horn so I made one. That is to say, I ordered one that turned out to be O scale and I am too cheap to order another one in HO scale. I turned the horns from styrene rods in my hobby drill tool.
    [​IMG]

    Assembled and on the engine:
    [​IMG]

    Overall view. Is this thing too big? Looks a little big. I used the original (black) horns as a starting point. I will probably just go with it for now. I can replace it with next month's budget.
    [​IMG]

    Here I am painting over only the parts that will be replaced with a decal. I am using the original Badger Accuflex paint. This old paint seems to have approximately the same sheen as the original paint or plastic of the model. If it doesn't work, I will just strip it.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    It's hard to see any difference. Good to have a matching color.

    Wolfgang
     
  6. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Definitely. I think the gloss coat helps tone down the differences, too. One of the problems of this detail kit is that the paint rubs off of the wire handrails. In order to better protect these items, I will (1) clear gloss paint, (2) add details (painting the handrails white) and decals, (3) clear gloss paint again, and (4) clear dull paint.

    Here is the first clear gloss.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Added plow (two part epoxy), decals, and most of the details. Now need another clear gloss layer and then a clear flat layer.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Still need a horn, window glass, wipers, rear diaphragm.
     
  8. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Here's pretty much how it came out. Overall view:
    [​IMG]

    I do like the 1500 gallon tank modification.
    [​IMG]

    Stewart on the left; Atlas FP7 on the right. I had to add almost 3/8 inch (1 cm) of door frame to make the diaphragms meet. The distance between units is almost twice too much, but maybe not obvious.
    [​IMG]

    Nose profiles seem to be pretty close. Atlas FP7 on the left; Stewart on the right. There is a difference of opinion about the correct Espee Daylight orange color.
    [​IMG]

    Enjoyable project and still a few things to do. I'll try to compare it to an Intermountain when they come out.
     
  9. James Fitch

    James Fitch TrainBoard Member

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    Great job. Now for window glass!
     
  10. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    That didn't turn out so well. I used Krystal Kleer on the sides and the Stewart front glass. The best thing was to add a final cover of Future Floor wax. Pictures later.

    I think I am just going to make the five chime horn.
     
  11. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Picture of the glass.
    [​IMG]

    Windshield wipers and front lift rings to go. I did make another, smaller horn.
     
  12. JNXT 7707

    JNXT 7707 TrainBoard Member

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    Sorry so late to the thread - this is my first visit to the forum. Great looking FP7! I just got an Atlas L&N FP7 off ebay, was a little leery about buying such an old model but it runs very well. The L&N graphics seem very nicely done. Not sure if the blue is correct L&N blue but I can live with it.
    Concerning the Kadee couplers - Kadee recommends the #37, but I saw "somewhere" that someone had used the #7. Even the #34 should be better since it has a shorter shank.
    Anyway...this looks like a good forum. I'm sure there is a lot of info to be had.
     
  13. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!!

    No such thing as being late here, all our model trains are on-time...

    :tb-wink: :tb-wink: :tb-wink: :tb-wink:​
     
  14. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I had an Atlas FP7 for the Burlington Northern in the early 80's. It was the third locomotive I had ever owned. It was an awesome performer (also considering I was a kid and did not maintain it the best). I remeber that the loco was made in Austria. IMO this loco looked good and was my best running I have ever owned up until my modern collection (post 2000). As a kid, I attempted to repaint the loco and killed the looks of the shell. In 1999 when I made my switch to N-scale I sold this loco along with my entire HO collection on ebay. This is one loco that I regretted selling off. Fast forward to 2009, I sold my remaing N-scale collection to return to HO scale. It is expensive being fickle :)

    My LHS has at least a dozen of these on their shelf priced farily decent (do not remember exact amount). How hard is it to convert these legacy locos to DCC? If it is not too brutle, I may be tempted to spring for another BN model.
     
  15. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Well,
    I went to my LHS today to pick up an Atlas FP7 Burlington Northern loco, figure this would be a great puller for a future MOW (track cleaners) train. BUT.....I was mistaken, they did not have BN. They had about four Northern Pacific, a couple Southern Pacific, Soo Line, Western Pacific I think and some undec. I did confirm that this is from the same vintage Atlas I had as a kid. They said made in Austria. BTW....price was not real cheap like I thought. The undecorated ones were going for about $99 and the decorated ones about $115.

    But being weak.....I walked out with an Atlas GP38 BNSF with DCC & Sound :)
     
  16. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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  17. mtaylor

    mtaylor Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Flash,
    Your loco looks amazing and is inspiring. I have never done any real loco detailing and I was wondering how you installed the grab irons. Did you use a hand pinvise to drill the holes for the grab irons? And, do you use any adhesive for the grab irons?
     
  18. stewarttrains98

    stewarttrains98 TrainBoard Member

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    If you can afford to do so I would get the newer models out of the FP's. As the Atlas is a nice unit however if your looking to super detail, it will be a headache. I have one that I started a few years ago and gave up on. I may or may not go abck and keep working on it. Have way too many other proects that I need to complete. Then I do have a SOU and L&N unit that I have tucked away for collecting purposes.
     
  19. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    The grab irons are all commercial detail parts. I used a hand held pin vise to drill the holes. CA glue was used to secure the grabs from the inside.
     
  20. JNXT 7707

    JNXT 7707 TrainBoard Member

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    Atlas FP7 woes

    Well, my Atlas L&N FP7 ran great for a week and then decided to show it's age.
    With the shell off, the motor/chassis looks like it was just built. It just seems like it's not getting all the power it needs - and consequently slooowing down. I cleaned the wheels, the wheel wipers....no improvement. So that leaves the brushes, correct? Am I missing something obvious? I hate to tear into the thing but it's too beautiful a model to make into a shelf unit. When it's running right, it's so quiet and smooth.
     

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