Questions on a Santa Fe F units build

[ThoroughBreed]

I have been aquiring some athearn blue box F unit shells, both single and double headlight versions, and need to know a few things about building one of the blue-bonnets and a yellow bonnet:

What colors are needed for:
Blue bonnet?
Yellow bonnet?

Which colors do I need to lay down first?

Which decals are needed? I think I need the following:
Microscale 87-77,87-1188, and 87-101. Please advise me if these are correct.

Also, which horns are needed? Any detail kits available?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanx, Eric

[ThoroughBreed]

I'm looking at the following locos:
315: www.railpictures.net/images/d...1265675234.jpg
and number 338: www.railpictures.net/images/d...1290138287.jpg

So, what are the detail parts I'll need? Does walthers have a F7 detail kit?

[liengineerbob]

The Santa Fe definitely isn't my thing, but here is my take on a few of your concerns:

Several paint manufacturers make "correct" Santa Fe colors....the choice is yours on what you like to use.

Generally, you would apply the lighter, in this case yellow, first, over a flat white base or primer to get a good bright color. Silver is usually last, as it can be difficult to mask (depending on your brand of paint).

There are several F-Unit detail kits on the market. The Walthers set is ancient (almost as old as the Blue Box F7), and not really worth the money, as the grab irons/handrails are too thick and the other parts out scale scale anyways.

Both Cal-Scale and Detail Associates make much better F-Unit detail sets, and although not made specifically for the Blue Box F7, should work just fine.

There are also several replacement window sets on the market for it. Detail Associates just fits into the incorrect window openings, and AMB makes two sets, one that is the correct size and shape (you'll need to so some filling on the original windshield openings to get them to fit), and another set, just like the DA set, that fits right into the incorrect Athearn windshield openings.

Can't help you with horns much, I know 1 chime from a 5 chime......but thats about it on my horn knowledge.

[spike]

I think AMB has a kit to insert into the Athearn window openings, which has the correct profile. One can then use the correct style glazing.