Model Power FP7 in Espee Paint

Flash Blackman Jul 26, 2008

  1. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Hope I can do this one. I have a bunch of projects underway and they are not all trains. The progress on this may be slow.

    I just got my Canadian National Model Power FP7 and it runs very well right out of the box. When running on my DC layout, it is a little better than a Life Like GP20 and is most comparable to that. (I have used the LL GP20 mechanism to power several of my F units.) The MP FP7 runs well with both the IM F7 and the Kato F7. It is slightly faster than the IM F7 and slightly slower than the Kato F7 but will fit well with either in an MU lashup. Slow speed capability is not as good as the IM F7 and is matched with the Kato F7. Things may change after break-in.

    Quick photo comparison here:

    Kato F7 on the right:
    [​IMG]

    IM F7 on the right:
    [​IMG]

    Next problem is how in the heck did I manage to get an FP7 model without a dynamic brake fan?! And no lower headlight?!! Rats! I can add the lower headlight easily enough but I am going to have to ponder the dynamic brake. I have extra shells around here, I know. Also, working with this metal shell will be different for me.

    I like the FP7 molded on detail and the "glass" is correctly in the front portion if the opening. It should be a fun project. Off to disassemble and stripping.

    Eventually, I want the engine to fit this prototype from The Espee Modeler's Website. As I reviewed that website, items to consider are snow plow, front lift rings, icicle breakers, five chime horn. I may or may not have all those. I saw that the units without snow plows and with five chime horns were probably in commuter service.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2008
  2. SirTainly

    SirTainly TrainBoard Member

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    Flash, not wanting to be the party pooper, but wouldn't the IM one be a better starting point ?

    Simon
     
  3. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Ah, er, I mean, sort of...:D Certainly it would be. I just didn't want to spend the money when I thought the Model Power unit would be adequate for my purposes. I am pleasantly surprised to see how smooth and slow the Model Power units operates. It matches the IM unit fairly well in that regard, IMHO.

    Besides, I enjoy the kitbashing.

    No doubt, though, you are exactly correct that the IM model would be a better starting point.
     
  4. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    What is the cylindrical tank that is mounted transversely between the front and rear trucks? Espee FP7s don't seem to have these. Thanks.
    [​IMG]
     
  5. SirTainly

    SirTainly TrainBoard Member

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    Fair play, kitbashing is good! :)

    I think the cylinder tank is extra water for the steam generators, but since SP went for the larger fuel tank they probably had to forego this.

    Simon
     
  6. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Sirtainly. I will check the prototype pictures more closely.

    On this model, I have discovered that although the shell is metal, the rooftop fan area is a plastic insert. This would allow Model Power to create different roof options by just changing the insert. It should be removable so that adding a dynamic brake fan should not be too difficult.

    Adding MT couplers now.
     
  7. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Flash,

    Great project you got there. Yup, the cylinder has to go. And remember the dynamic break fan is 48". Perhaps you could scavenge one from an E8/9. If you need a E8/9 shell let me know. I have a few.(They are Katos).
    Obviously keep us posted.

    Have a good one,
    Wolf
     
  8. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Coupler conversion. Micro Trains recommends MT1129 (mediums) front and back with the coupler pockets provided by Model Power. They also recommend the MT1016 with a .020 inch shim on the front. I don't have any 1129s, so I used the MT1016 on the front.

    There is a small hole on the front of the frame. Apparently it is for a body mount MT1016. Pretty neat feature. I tapped the hole with a 0-90 tap.
    [​IMG]

    Then I mounted the coupler using the .020 inch shim. Pretty close to correct height.
    [​IMG]

    The front coupler is very sturdy and the shell is easily removed leaving the coupler mounted to the frame.

    I used a Unimate on the rear and I am not too happy with that as it is a little high. I'm going to try to get a MT 1129 this week. I may even try an 1128 (short) coupler.
    [​IMG]

    That front coupler mount was really slick; went just as advertised! :thumbs_up:

    I have some F units here and I am looking for a 48 inch fan. Didn't Bachmann F7/9 shells have that, too?
     
  9. SirTainly

    SirTainly TrainBoard Member

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    off to a good start. :)

    I always tend to find unimates a bit high, the shanks on all the ones I have, like the one in your photo, seem to kink upwards for the knuckle. Wonder if there's a version that doesn't ?
     
  10. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    I rummaged through the debris in this place and found a MT1154. When I removed the coupler, it seemed to be like an 1128 or 1129, so I used it in the Model Power coupler box. Works okay for me. I think it is equivalent to the MT 1128 short generic coupler.
    [​IMG]

    The CN fuel tanks are square for some reason, so I rounded them off and removed the cylindrical tank.
    [​IMG]

    Here it is so far:
    [​IMG]

    It's getting there. I sanded too much in some places. Probably in too much of a hurry.

    I will probably remove the shell skirts to the rear of the small tab that holds the shell onto the frame. I may need to make the fuel tank wider to simulate a larger 1450-1500 gallon fuel tank. Still need to look at more pictures.

    I found a brass 48 inch fan on the Gold Medal Models GP18/GP9 detailing fret. I think that might work but takes a little assembly.

    Stripping it next with 90 percent alcohol. Taking a break, too.
     
  11. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    Smart engineering. I wouldn't have expected inserts on this model.
     
  12. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Agreed. And further, I started adding the lower headlight. That whole portion of the nose is plastic! I haven't stripped it yet, but the model is definitely made to allow a two headlight version. Did MP have any dual headlights in these FP7 models? Better question is why didn't I get one? Oh, well! :hmm4er:

    The horns and the number boards are plastic, too. The numberboards are lighted. The front "door" panel is plastic with a lower headlight opening and the Farr grills along the side are plastic inserts, too. Most of the shell is metal.

    Funny, I was just looking at some hobby shop web pages and all the FP7s pictured there have dynamic brake fans but mine doesn't? None with dual headlights, either. I checked the Model Power website and the CN version does not have a d/b fan. Also, some of the MP versions do not have the cylindrical transverse tank.

    Wonder if I could file the metal steps to make them more delicate?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 28, 2008
  13. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Still strippping in 90 percent alcohol. I am amazed at how much detail is covered by the paint. The shell is really very good.
    [​IMG]

    The shell is easily removed.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks really great so far Flash. :) :) :)
     
  15. hegstad1

    hegstad1 TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Northern Pacific version has dual headlights. I don't know how MP is with selling or giving away parts but it wouldn't hurt to contact them and see if you could get the dynamic brake insert and a door with a headlight. I am impressed with how they put this model together. I would get rid of the plastic side grills and put some etched ones on there. It would really give it a cool see through effect.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    The door headlight is pretty easy to make. I will definitely contact them today for the roof fan but, so far, I am not sure how to get either the nose door or the roof insert out of the metal shell.

    Same is true for the Farr grilles; I am not sure how to get them out. Also, I Think they do not go all the way through; the grilles just sit in a slot. Still, interesting idea to take them out.

    I also notice that the NP FP7 does not have a transverse cylindrical tank. I should have gotten one of those! Still, the rear fuel tank seems to be squared off. Most companies have a round fuel tank like the regular F7.

    Good ideas. Thanks.

    [edit] Okay. I emailed Model Power N scale; we will see. :thumbs_up:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 28, 2008
  17. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Model Power (Mantua Classics) does not carry parts. They stated that all the parts were the same. Not a problem as I can modify all the parts that are necessary. The d/b fan worries me a little.

    Here is an interesting You Tube video from the Model Power website.
    YouTube - Model Power MFG

    I have some interesting views of the stripped model later.
     
  18. SP-Wolf

    SP-Wolf TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hey Flash,

    Looking good. What are your plans for the pilot plow? I ran out of the Sunrise ones I had. And I have been trying to figure out a way to replicate the plow.

    Wolf
     
  19. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    I might not use a plow. The only Espee FP7s I saw without a plow were being used in commuter service in later years. (They had five chime horns, too.)

    But, I think I do have a Sunrise plow. If not, I know I can fabricate the face of the plow. Then?? Well, maybe use styrene to slowly make the top and sides? I'm really not sure what I will do if I can't find the Sunrise plow.
     
  20. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I may know where some sunrise plows are. :)
     

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