Randy is going to be offering a kit for a CF7 that uses a new (2006) GP7 or GP9 mechanism. Details can be found here: What's Coming? I'm in for two.
Geez guys, thanks, but I was going to post direct here and you beat me to it. I've attacked the problem of this model with a completely modular design that can have two different frames, as many different cabs as people want (I've made three so far), stack and battery box options, and things like the AC box are separate parts so you can do the Amtrak ones without filing it off. I got the dimensions to work out, and tucked the sills in just as tight as I possibly could to the trucks. The real advantage here is if you already have a Phase 1 Atlas GP7, you're halfway there - it uses that long hood. I'm not copying it, you use the Atlas part, so the fidelity of detail on that is not an issue. The price points on the photoetching are such that it would really help if I knew what the first order needed to be, so I'm taking interest emails at cf7@randgust.com. That list will be the first to be offered the actual kit before I even list it on the website for open sale.
I'm in for 4 myself. Sweet stuff Randy! How did you know I had started on them? Now I'll have some LAJ power. Will the shell fit on a GP20 chassis?
TAD, for some reason you came to mind when I read about this over on the Atlas Forum... guess liking those gone but not forgotten green and white engines myself reminded me of you... Too bad I am into smaller Class One roads at the beginning of dieselization or I would have to pop for several myself.
I'm not sure about any other chassis here (yet) - at this point I'd recommend that you go with the Atlas GP7, Phase 1 non-dynamic - you'll use the mechanism without hacking and the entire long hood.
Okay. The GP20 has an Atlas like chassis, with a low nose. The running quality is about the same as Atlas. So it should work. Looking forward to them!
Randy the only Atlas GP7 phase one; no dynamic brakes I'm finding is a Highood is that the one we are to use fir this kit? please advise I'm about to pick mine up in preparation for your kit. Thanks for your time in responding Glen
Yeah, its a high short nose Phase 1 GP7, no dynamic brake. Works fine. As far as for the LL GP20 chassis, I've got one and I'll check it tonight.
It would be cool if it does fit. I have a few of the LL GP20's from back when Micro-Mark did the big dump. I also have some GP7 shells that I had already gotten from Atlas to try working on this project myself.
This looks like a cool kit. Questions: Does it come with handrails or do you use the existing Altas ones? Price? Didn't see it on the website.
I need to get my two GP10 projects finished up. I have been trying to get where I could get back to work on them. Conflicting interests and demands on my time, and such. I also have four of Randy's 70-tonner kits to do, three as 70 tonners and one as a 95-tonner. I'm still working on getting enough 44-tonners to power them. Conflicting interests and demands on my money, and such. Speaking of 70-tonners, Randy, can I contact you to see about getting the weights for the 44-tonner version? I got my kits before that option was available. Seeing the quality of Randy's work on the 70-tonner kits with the photo-etched details has me excited about the upcoming CF7 kits. I know that building Randy's kits would yield a better result than I could trying to cobble that cab, nose, and frame together on my own.
Primer shots are up on my website. It will come with etched brass handrails, steps, and whatever other details I can fit on a brass sheet to fit. The higher the interest count is, the bigger the batch I can order on the parts, and the per-unit comes down. I'm not firm on a price yet until I work out that order. I've got a lot of work to do yet (remember, I'm the guy that writes 20-page instruction manuals!) but at this point I at least wanted to prove this beyond vaporware.
