Mr Observant checking in - N&W F7s (Kato F7s content)

[Mark5]

Heh, I just came to the realization that almost all N&W F7s had passenger pilots. :

http://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=20187

Kato does not appear to make F7 shells with passenger pilots. I guess I'll have to fashion a pair. Jeez and I thought the worst would be removing the dynamics ...

Background: About ten years ago I went on a holy grail like quest to get two Kato F7s with dual headlights. It looks like I will finally have some free time for modeling this year, so I'm looking at all my projects that are cued up.

I know F7s didnt run on the Pokey, but I have a soft spot for F units (maybe because I never saw them on the N&W!).

Mark (d'oh)

[Chris333]

Their F3's come with PAX pilots. Should be easy straight cuts. 

[Mark5]

Their F3's come with PAX pilots. Should be easy straight cuts. 

So I just need to order two more shells. :

[jmlaboda]

Just for accuracy... those N&W F7s were Wabash first.  For some reason Wabash preferred the passenger pilot, like a few other roads did.

[Mark5]

no kiddin

[bbussey]

Heh, I just came to the realization that almost all N&W F7s had passenger pilots. : ...
Kato does not appear to make F7 shells with passenger pilots. I guess I'll have to fashion a pair. Jeez and I thought the worst would be removing the dynamics ...

I did that years ago, when Kato parts were more plentiful.  Spliced an E8 pilot onto an F7 body to model the lone CR blue cab unit.



It's not a difficult kitbash at all.  The dimensions of the model noses are identical.  The splice is under the anti-climber.  The hardest part at this point will be finding the parts...

... Or not.  Just checked Kato's parts website, and they have E8A passenger-pilot bodyshells available for $25 each.  It appears most of the F7A bodyshell variations also are available at the same price.

[Mark5]

Looks good Bryan!

Hmm, $50 + shipping or fabricate my own ... decisions, decisions

[bbussey]

At least the only deterrent is the cost of the parts.  The cost was no more than half that when I did my kitbash eons ago.

[Mark5]

These were sort of a diversion back when there was still very little suitable power available for N&W proper. Things have changed greatly in the past decade in terms of available locos (mainly thanks to Atlas).

I am seriously considering unloading the Kato Fs as I have at least 40 loco projects that actually relate to the Pokey.

[bbussey]

Doesn't IMRC make a non-D/B F7?  Might not be that major a project after all if you graft the Kato passenger pilot onto an IMRC body, plus the IMRC units are DCC-ready.  Unloading the Kato F7s and substituting IRMC F7s might actually pay for a portion of the Kato E8 shells also.

[Mark5]

Doesn't IMRC make a non-D/B F7?  Might not be that major a project after all if you graft the Kato passenger pilot onto an IMRC body, plus the IMRC units are DCC-ready.  Unloading the Kato F7s and substituting IRMC F7s might actually pay for a portion of the Kato E8 shells also.

I'm doubting that I'd get much for the Kato F units. Maybe I'm wrong.

The IMRC option is interesting, I wonder if IMRC has a passenger pilot F7 shell ... (they had announced N&W F7s, then cancelled them - were they gonna do them with freight pilots? ???)

I'm still leaning towards dumping them.

Mark

[Leggy]

 All N&W F7's have passenger pilots?.... Those are two I found, maybe use those numbers and save yourself a ton of trouble and some cash.

[Mark5]

I didn't say all ...

I am aware of those units.

I was targeting black units (these things wore 3 different N&W schemes)

Some were made by EMD, some were made by GMD (Canada). I haven't had time to see if that is the factor.

Mark

[Leggy]

Ahh my bad, didnt mean to offend. IIRC it was who ordered them that dictated the pilot types rather than who built them. Did any of these or the E8's ever wear Tuscan Red?

[Mark5]

Ahh my bad, didnt mean to offend. IIRC it was who ordered them that dictated the pilot types rather than who built them.

No problemo. I think you're right about those ordering, still though, why would Wabash order some with some without? One possible theory is they were damaged in wrecks, and re-fitted with freight pilots. After tax day I'll look into it.

Sandwiched between 3659 and 3661 is 3660, with passenger pilot
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nw/nw3660adc.jpg

3657, 3666, 3667 and 3671 also have passenger pilots. I have a large collection of photos at home, gotta review it again. ;D

Did any of these or the E8's ever wear Tuscan Red?

No.

Mark