Once in a great while, I stray from my beloved steamers to work on a diesel project.
I've got the DCC ready F7A and F7B, which are quite economical. Both tested well, but did sound a little dry. Unusual, since Bachmann locos are usually lubed to the gills:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0506_zpsd5kutbqc.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0506_zpsd5kutbqc.jpg.html)
The shells come off with four screws underneath, on either side of the fuel tank. If one is careful, it's possible to remove the F7A shell without removing the front coupler.
I removed the dummy plug on the B unit and plugged in a decoder. Then took a photo so some new to DCC can see what we keep talking about. Notice the guts of both locomotives are identical, save for the headlight and crew figures:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0508_zps8um4beul.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0508_zps8um4beul.jpg.html)
A great plus is the pre-formed spot for a speaker if one wishes to add sound.
I've also replaced all the couplers with Kadees. This required a bit of filing on the couplers, as well as filing out the coupler box to accept the spring. Requires about a minute of filing for each coupler, so not a big job:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0511_zpsjnxufuvs.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0511_zpsjnxufuvs.jpg.html)
I put on a scale head coupler on the the front of the A unit and cut off the trip pin. This is for looks and to make room for the details which come later.
That's all I have so far. More to follow...
Regards,
Jonathan
Though I'm not normally a diesel fan (except Vin Diesel... because... I mean... come on... the Riddick movies are kinda sweet!) I will be watching this with great enjoyment! I ran across your Mikado build completely by accident one day, and am rather addicted to the stuff you post now!
Amazing work... amazing photography, and just plain inspiring. (as in... I've been inspired by your Mikado work to want to do some upgrades on a few passenger cars)
Thanks much! I appreciate it.
OK... I've removed all the window glazing. The headlight lens won't budge... will just have to tape that over when I'm ready.
Drilled 30 holes and put in the lift rings:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0516_zpsniwmtdp2.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0516_zpsniwmtdp2.jpg.html)
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0517_zpselihujd7.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0517_zpselihujd7.jpg.html)
Followed up by giving the A unit a number, the extra grabs near the, um, pilot(?), then building up that unusual cut lever configuration:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0519_zpsbpiwtnr1.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0519_zpsbpiwtnr1.jpg.html)
The cut lever was made from .015 steel wire, lift rings, and a few fiddly bits (that a professional MR term ;) ).
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0524_zpse5fmzcao.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0524_zpse5fmzcao.jpg.html)
The discoloration on the bottom of the nose was there out of the box. It won't matter, as I will be weathering both diesels before it's all over.
Next up: drilling 56 holes and bending wire for all the grabs needed.
Regards,
Jonathan
Grab irons... the paint and glue are still wet:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0526_zpsr6ggkb4w.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0526_zpsr6ggkb4w.jpg.html)
I also repainted the crew. Somehow, they just didn't look right:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0530_zpswxzgcre7.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0530_zpswxzgcre7.jpg.html)
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0532_zpsdxozovke.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0532_zpsdxozovke.jpg.html)
I cut out two of the side windows, so they'll be easier to see.
Next: a bath for the shells tonight... A shot of dullcote in the morning... a bit of weathering, and we're just about done.
Regards,
Jonathan
Here are some completion shots:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0535_zpsmzvewdlc.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0535_zpsmzvewdlc.jpg.html)
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0539_zpsy7obpwop.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0539_zpsy7obpwop.jpg.html)
I was all about trying to improve the crew and make them more visible. It's still really hard to see them, let alone photograph them:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0545_zpsqfa43hag.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0545_zpsqfa43hag.jpg.html)
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0546_zpsyx1nwabw.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0546_zpsyx1nwabw.jpg.html)
There is an odd shaped grab iron that's suppose to be on either side of the nose, up high. I'm going to practice that for a while I think. Gotta figure out a way to make that shape uniformly.
Regards,
Jonathan
Excellent work, as always!
This pic gives a fairly clear shot of the 'eyebrow' grabs. The nose grab is just below the windshield wiper:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5606/15573982546_29350b347b_b.jpg)
Len
Thanks, guys.
Yep, that nose grab is a tricky one. My plan is to add the eyebrows at the same time I add that funky grab... once I figure out how to bend it. :)
That is one shiny, modernized F7. Would love to have that in my back yard!
Regards,
Jonathan
OK, one last shot: the obligatory "on the layout" scene...
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0548_zps1uxxx5nn.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0548_zps1uxxx5nn.jpg.html)
I've been planting trees lately, so some debris around the tracks.
R,
JV
Making 'ladder grabs', the bumps on each end are to keep a ladder from sliding off, is fairly straight forward. Drive a couple of brads into a board, then lay a straight legged grab between them (dotted lines). Then bend the legs around the brads to create the ladder holding bumps (exagerated for clarity):
(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l529/Pickanotherid/Tools/LadderGrab_zpsdmsfjc3x.jpg)
The spacing of the bumps looks to be about the same as the handrails for the main doorway. The FRA later mandated grabs all the way up the side of the nose, but to me that is aesthetically unappealing.
Len
Thanks, Len... I'll give it a shot. Sounds like the jig I was looking for. Also, it really helps to know why the grab looks that way.
Regards,
Jonathan
Len's jig tip has worked out pretty well. I wasted a bit of wire practicing and adjusting. However, the lesson was worth the effort:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0554_zpsniq9kxqe.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0554_zpsniq9kxqe.jpg.html)
I have since made a pair of eyebrows. Been test-fitting and adjusting... Trying to prevent pulling a 'Mr. Spock' with the brows:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0557_zpsrklgpjac.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0557_zpsrklgpjac.jpg.html)
Thanks again.
Regards,
Jonathan
Terrific looking and a great tip :)
Looking good! Glad I could help. Don't let the maintenance crew fall off the ladder.
Len
Pretty awesome work there
Thanks again, guys, for the kind words.
Here are the grabs painted.
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0559_zps1i1q0lcw.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0559_zps1i1q0lcw.jpg.html)
At first they were black, but most of the clear photos I looked at showed grey grabs on the nose. The paint is wet, and I haven't weathered the grabs. The color will match better once that's done. 'nuff said.
Regards,
Jonathan
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0561_zpsihpjawtr.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0561_zpsihpjawtr.jpg.html)
Looks great. I am curious what you used for the numbers? Decals?
It does look great; I'm particularly impressed at how Jonathan got the paint to match.
That reminds me, what's a good choice for paint these days? My supply of Floquil won't last forever!
Thanks!
They are decals. A coat of gloss, decals, another coat of gloss, then dullcote.
Likewise, I miss my floquil. Now it's either testors or tamiya. Scalecoat is still available, but harder to come by.
Badger has a fairly large selection of railroad colors. And most of the Scalecoat colors are available through Walthers.
Len
Len,
I'm a rattle-can painter. You say "Badger" and I say, "What language was that?" ;D
Regards,
Jonathan
Addendum:
Just wanted to add: The F7B unit was running a bit sporadically... so much so I decided to take the locomotive down to parade rest (disassemble). Turns out, whomsoever was responsible for lubrication seemed to have missed the mark. On the rear truck, the grease was all over the backs of the wheels, instead of in the gears. Once I cleaned it all up and got lube in the right place, the pick up brushes could get to the backs of the wheels. Now all it well. By the way, these units are fairly easy to take apart and put back together... IF you take your time. jv
This is amazing work! I always look forward to your posts! (you give me SO many ideas!)
Thanks for the kind words!
I was at a train show today and had an unusual impulse buy. This is the sound value E7, which is one of the newer locomotives released by Bachmann:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0564_zpsahqjsif4.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0564_zpsahqjsif4.jpg.html)
It ran on the club's modular layout like a scalded dog! Perfect right out of the box. Can pull great. Just wish my passenger cars would track so well.
Now I need to study E7 photos to see what little details I can add.
Additionally, I have been getting tired of begging from DCC gurus to get my locos programmed, so...
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSC_0567_zps9m6isg5e.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSC_0567_zps9m6isg5e.jpg.html)
This is a DCC programmer, called a SPROG. It connects right to a PC with a USB port. I downloaded the JMRI Decoder pro software, and made a quicky programming track (photo). It works like a champ. Unfortunately it doesn't do that little jump thing when the programming is complete. You go through a series of computer screens (windows) to set address, adjust sound... whatever. Then hit save and you're done. Very excited about this little gem.
Regards,
Jonathan
Ooh... I never heard of SPROG... I may have to look into that now! (when I build my layout, I want it to be DCC)
Jonathan, I'm looking at your nice BIG photo of the E-7, and overall it looks like you won't have as many holes to drill! :) It already has the standard hand rails, including the ones beside the nose door.
Without photos in front of me, I would guess all you might need would be lift rings (which would have been from the factory), the two small hand grabs on the nose above the steps in the pilot, and the ladder rests and handrails over the windshield as you added to your F-unit (which would have been later modifications--these were mandated by the ICC later, the units didn't have them when new).
Of course at some point you'll want a second E for back-to-back operation, and a second F7 A-unit to get a nice A-B-A set. . . :D
Jonathan, I've used sprog for about 5 years. Program your EM-1 or other non sound value decoders that have all their CV's will really make you appreciate this. Also creating a complete roster makes programing a breeze for any little changes you want to do to any loco. -John West
Thanks, guys. John, yes, the SPROG is pretty neat. I've also downloaded the software to a laptop, so I can be the guy that comes to shows ready to help program new locos. Took me a bit to figure out how to do the basic programming. I will get into it more as time allows.
I will start a new thread when I'm ready to dismantle and detail the E7. It really is an impressive runner right out of the box. Doubt I will tinker at all with the mechanics. As cool as two E7's would be, might be overkill on the layout. :) Plus, I'd have to tinker with even more passenger cars... ugh.
I looked for another F7A at the train show, to make an A-B-A unit. Great minds think alike! Unfortunately, none were around. There's always next time. I have pulled 34 cars (boxcars and cabeese) so far. Went two hours like that and the A-B set never even got warm.
Regards,
Jonathan
Model Train Stuff has 4 left. Joe
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-HO-EMD-F7-A-B-O-p/bac-63709.htm