Randy, I saw on another forum that you tried the GP20 frame. Good to hear it will work. Two questions for you, is the A/C unit a seprate part and will you include the antenna stand in the etchings? Sample pic here... http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1272744 Oh yeah, the uncoupling levers.. Now the trick will be LAJ decals..
Man, I have to check in here more often... OK, questions. I'm at least 'planning' (i.e. drawing) up the stuff for the unique ATSF detail features that nobody else is doing that are typical to this; including the ground plane. That's such a significant detail. No drawings I have give dimensions, I'm guessing on it, if anybody out there has one in their yard (!) or works for a line with one that can MEASURE it I'd love it, other than that it's gonna be my best guestimate, nitpickers load your weapons. Cut levers, yeah, because nothing before or since had anything quite like it. Air conditioner is a separate part, because Amtrak units had them taken off for clearances. It will 'almost' fit on a GP20, the LL frame is actually narrower and shorter, but the mounts for the pickup strips, and the fuel tank, are different. If you're willing to cut my channels or do some dremel work on the LL frame in the fuel tank area should work OK. I'm toying with sunshades, haven't made a decision, mostly because they were always slid forward on the 3-window cabs with most of the channel to the back, again, kinda unique. Dimensions. OK, for all the critics, I think I finally figured it out. I'm within 6" on length and made up the foot difference in truck centers by moving the trucks out 3" toward the steps, that's basically the deal. But the Atlas long hood has the two fan sets about 1' closer together than the CF7 drawings I have, so it 'looks' longer behind the cab than it really is. Hood length from back of cab to end of long hood is actually right on (&&^$!). I couldn't figure out the optical illusion when the measurements were as tight as they are until the moment I put stacks on it. Oh, there it is! They may have copied the doors but the fans are slightly closer together on the GP. Next thing I'm going to be posting in the not-too-distant future is shots of the round cab, that includes the original channel frame, 3-window cab, 2 'chicken basket' stacks, and the higher engineer-side battery box. It's done, its molded, but I'm waiting on more Atlas parts to demo with. The three-window angled cab is partially molded. Parts are coming out now at a steady pace, and I'm pretty happy with the results so far.
Thanks for the update Randy and I can't wait for my Angled roof model. Nice progress by the way on I'm sure a not so easy task.:thumbs_up: Glen
Thanks Randy! Glad to hear your thinking about (or getting heartburn about) the detail parts. I think close enough on the ground plane will work. If it's not quite right, someone can make you a correct model! :tb-biggrin:
It was payday, so I stopped by the LHS on the way home. The undec GP7 non dynamic Phase I that has been setting in the case for a long time was on clearance for 50% off. I picked it up. One of he train guys told me that a couple of the other GP7's that have been there for a while may go on clearance soon. I'll have to keep my eye on them.
Just looked at Rangusts site the model looks fantastic, shame MoPac or Tex mex didnt have any would have given me a reason to buy
Paul, Accoring to the ORER, the MoPac and the ATSF interchanged at 49 different locations in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri. You could justify a pair if you wanted.
Randy,I like the CF7 but,have a question. Will these shells come preassembled for guys like me that has limited use of a hand-in my case my former dominate right hand? You see its rough doing fine work with your off hand and limited use of the other.
What I'm going to try to do is have options here; first, the resin & brass parts only for those that already have an Atlas GP7, then with the long hood casting (which is an Atlas part). Like my other kits, if you want me to partially build or finish, or do a complete custom model, everything is negotiable on a quote basis, but remember, I don't have the etched parts yet, that takes time. I've found that a lot of modelers want to do various levels of finishing that work for them, so I don't really have a price list. I've been doing custom SW1's over the last year for one customer where we've shipped shells back and forth a couple times because I do the mechanism and assembly and he is a fantastic painter. I can completely sympathize because I put my right hand in a snowblower several years ago and got several broken fingers out of the deal and some permanent nerve damage. It was a near miss to ending my modeling career and I'm still pretty scarred.
Hey, Randy, I was just curious if you had tried your CF7 shell on an Atlas 1995 GP7 mechanism? I just miked one against the 2006 mechanism and they are the same overall length. The nose setback is the same on the right side of the frame, but not the left. For those who do not mind a little milling or filing the left side would be an easy fix if that was necessary. I don't know if there would be any other problem areas. Just wondering if it would be a viable option.
Shots of the round-roof cab are now up on my website - click below: What's Coming? Now working on the 3-window angled cab. I'd be curious on feedback if people want the 'plated over' versions of the 3-window cab, or if that is easy enough to do yourself. Also, is ANYBODY interested in the original wierd cab with the F7 windows in it?
thankd Tad now i have no excuses but to buy a pair and paint in Sante Fe Randall, Guess I'll go for two of the full kits lol when can i order? Paul
Yep Randell look great here and on your site just waiting on your say so to order my Angle roof complete kit. Already picked up my GP7. So good to go:thumbs_up:
