Post by westernmaine on Jan 19, 2010 20:19:54 GMT -5
Here's a work-in-progress view of what started out as an experiment to see if I could improve the looks of an Atlas/Roco FP7 ($15 on EBay) by grafting a Proto 1000 F3 cab ($5 local train show) onto the front of the Atlas/Roco body. detail parts (spare stuff from the junk box so far).Paint and decals - $5+/-.
the model:
the prototype:
The splice between cab and body went really well, and I like how the Proto nose is better looking on this engine than the old Roco casting. So I kept going... Replaced the Roco porthole windows with flush-fitting spare windows from a Proto 2000 E8. Phosphor bronze 0.15" diam. wire for grabs and handrails. DA parts for MU connections. Finding a paint that matched the ivory-white of the MERR engine was a challenge. Testors military colors had a Japanese army sand that is dead on. C&NW green for the dark green. Highball Graphics decals. Still a number of details left to add to the rather busy nose of this engine such as red signal light, MU hoses, twin sealed beam headlight, etc. and some paint touch-ups but getting there. Yes I know that the ME engine is an FL-9 and the FP7 and FL-9 don't share the same body lengths and even the trucks are different.
the model:
the prototype:
The splice between cab and body went really well, and I like how the Proto nose is better looking on this engine than the old Roco casting. So I kept going... Replaced the Roco porthole windows with flush-fitting spare windows from a Proto 2000 E8. Phosphor bronze 0.15" diam. wire for grabs and handrails. DA parts for MU connections. Finding a paint that matched the ivory-white of the MERR engine was a challenge. Testors military colors had a Japanese army sand that is dead on. C&NW green for the dark green. Highball Graphics decals. Still a number of details left to add to the rather busy nose of this engine such as red signal light, MU hoses, twin sealed beam headlight, etc. and some paint touch-ups but getting there. Yes I know that the ME engine is an FL-9 and the FP7 and FL-9 don't share the same body lengths and even the trucks are different.
