06-09-2019, 01:01 PM
A few small diesel projects on the workbench.
Proto1000 F-3 a&b units.
I already did the A unit a number of years ago (it's at the front of the thread) But since then I found a proper Proto drive for it to replace the Bachmann Plus drive.
A couple weeks ago I took a quick trip to Calgary, Alberta and found the matching B unit in a hobby shop there. It was in the used section for 50$ and it had a broken ladder but I figured the price was okay.
When I got it home I took the shell of and discovered it was DCC/ sound equipped. It has an early soundtrax decoder in it but it runs and sound good. I changed it's address to match the A unit and also changed the horn to match the blaaaat honker horns on the A. They run pretty good together at lower speeds, which is all I run at anyway.
I'll be adding a few details to the engines. The A unit needs a new speed recorder and the B will be getting new lifting eyes on the roof, cut bars, MU hoses and some paint detailing.
I also plan to try out the American Limited Diaphragms on them.
At the same time I bought the b unit I found a stewart F3a unit in the hobby shop's scrap shell bin that I can get the missing ladder off of.
At about the same time I found an intermountain F-7 shell on Ebay for 20$ I figured I couldn't paint one and add the details for that so it was a pretty good deal.
Especially since I had a Stewart F-7 undecorated a&b set stashed away. Someone had told me that Intermountain used stewart/kato drives on their F units and the intermountain shell slipped right onto the Stewart frame perfectly.
The only things wrong with the shell was a yellow paint smudge in the roof and a missing lifting eye and windshield wipers. All easy fixes. I did remove the rear roof overhang with a razor saw and some filing (Canadian roads didn't have them on F-7's)
After that all that I'll add is the roof mounted bell and a speed recorder and it's ready for the weathering shop.
Proto1000 F-3 a&b units.
I already did the A unit a number of years ago (it's at the front of the thread) But since then I found a proper Proto drive for it to replace the Bachmann Plus drive.
A couple weeks ago I took a quick trip to Calgary, Alberta and found the matching B unit in a hobby shop there. It was in the used section for 50$ and it had a broken ladder but I figured the price was okay.
When I got it home I took the shell of and discovered it was DCC/ sound equipped. It has an early soundtrax decoder in it but it runs and sound good. I changed it's address to match the A unit and also changed the horn to match the blaaaat honker horns on the A. They run pretty good together at lower speeds, which is all I run at anyway.
I'll be adding a few details to the engines. The A unit needs a new speed recorder and the B will be getting new lifting eyes on the roof, cut bars, MU hoses and some paint detailing.
I also plan to try out the American Limited Diaphragms on them.
At the same time I bought the b unit I found a stewart F3a unit in the hobby shop's scrap shell bin that I can get the missing ladder off of.
At about the same time I found an intermountain F-7 shell on Ebay for 20$ I figured I couldn't paint one and add the details for that so it was a pretty good deal.
Especially since I had a Stewart F-7 undecorated a&b set stashed away. Someone had told me that Intermountain used stewart/kato drives on their F units and the intermountain shell slipped right onto the Stewart frame perfectly.
The only things wrong with the shell was a yellow paint smudge in the roof and a missing lifting eye and windshield wipers. All easy fixes. I did remove the rear roof overhang with a razor saw and some filing (Canadian roads didn't have them on F-7's)
After that all that I'll add is the roof mounted bell and a speed recorder and it's ready for the weathering shop.