Two L&N F7s for under $100

[Vlad]

Hello
 I just wanted to share a cheap build project that I'm working on. I have two inter mountain F7 shells on Bachamnn plus F7 drives. Don't hate on the bachmann drives this is a cheap build. :)Plus one of the Bachmann drives I have had since I was 16 so its really broken in and drives as quite and smooth as my Atlas Locomotives. Since this was a cheap build allot of the detail parts are part of the kit from intermountain and some are hand made. I modified the Bachmann fuel tanks to look more prototypical. Some other parts I used include deatails west F unit detail kit, datails assocites whip antenna, Plano M5 5 chime horn bracket replacement. I got pretty far one of of the locomotives. All it lacks is headlight lenses, decoder and LEDs. The other Locomotive is still got quite a bit to go before it is finished. If any one is interested I can post how mounted the shell on the drive and how the Bachmann fuel tank was modified. Here are some pics I hope you guys like them.

[dtinut]

Vlad,

Wow, they look very nice! I like the way you modified the skirts to show more of the fuel tank details.
Curious, what did you use to get the UP paint off the shells? I have one, and haven't figured out what will strip the paint off the IMRC shell.

Thanks for sharing.
Brian

[c415rock]

Hi Vlad,

Nice work on this build. Please post how you modified the tank and mounted the shells.

Brian, I second the 91% to strip the IM stuff. I just striped a first run DRGW f unit in 91% and it came off quite well. Just a little minor clean up in the blaster booth.

Erik

[sd80mac]

Sept 17, 2013 11:45:52 GMT -5 Vlad said:

Hello Vlad,

I would like to see how you modified the Bachmann frame and fuel tank.

Donnell

[Vlad]

Hello
    Thank you everyone for your nice comments. I will post pictures of the modifications as soon as I possibly can.
Vlad

[simulatortrain]

Very nice looking unit(s), and you can't beat the price!

[topshed]

Loving them, really quality detail on such a great price!

[Vlad]

Hello
    Well I now have pictures to upload on the Bachmann frame and fuel tank modifications. Enjoy!

First ground down the metal under the plastic fuel tank shell. I did not grind the whole thing down because the motor had to mount on something. I did that mistake on the first locomotive and had to fabricate a whole different way of mounting the motor. It was to much trouble. Live and learn.
Here is a diagram of m measurements fo the metal remaining after the grinding.





I separated the bachmaann fuel tank from the battery boxes

Next I built up the section where the fuel tank would go to a desired height. In my case I added layers of styrene until it was 12mm from the underside of the main frame to the bottom of the fuel tank.




On the fuel tank I cut down the inside of the fuel tank so that would sit flush up against the styrene bottom.


On the battery box I cut the inner lip flush with the top of the hole for the mounting screw.(I cant seem to find words with which to describe things)

Next I glued layers of tsyrene on the inside of the fuel tank.


I trimmed the rough edges and cut and filed down the corners. Also, I glued some styrene on one end and trimmed it to fit the edges of the fuel tank. I did the same for the battery boxes.



I used Details west Funit detail Kit to detail the fuel tank and battery boxes.  Drilled hole in the frame for the fuel tank brackets. I used plane supper glue to glue them in place. I also added the air tank end and pipping.


I will post pics of how I mounted the locomotive shell later. Its past midnight and I don't think Im making much sense at the moment, please disregard any mistakes in the post.
Vlad