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Post by baldclamlocoshop on Apr 26, 2017 15:06:09 GMT -5
Found a Atlas yellow box FP7 on fleabay for next to nothing but, there's always a but, have a mountain of work to do to bring it up to today's standards. Most ppl say why dont you buy a new one? Bc most of the new is OVERPRICED small upgrades from the stuff from years ago.
Plus I enjoy a challenge and this one will be challenging to say the least.
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Post by iomalley on Apr 26, 2017 19:54:43 GMT -5
With a modicum of work, you can make these stand in beside the newest releases. Here's a F9 which started out as a atlas yellow box fp7. 
And an Atlas yellow box GP38
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Post by baldclamlocoshop on Apr 26, 2017 20:13:56 GMT -5
Nice work on both, custom plow on the FP7 I assume? And scratchbuilt tank on the Geep!
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spike
Chairman
They say I can't be Spike anymore, so Mr. Burns it is!
Posts: 561
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Post by spike on Apr 27, 2017 14:00:45 GMT -5
I still love my old blow box Athearns. They are a clean slate, and lend themselves to detailing. One project is a Con Cor/Roco GP40. The cab bases don't have the step wells molded, but Cannon has the solution. The only other bad point is the engineer's side railing has the step, which should only be on the fireman's side. Some of Mr. O'Malley's side frames sound good too.
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Post by iomalley on May 1, 2017 19:07:20 GMT -5
Nice work on both, custom plow on the FP7 I assume? And scratchbuilt tank on the Geep! Nope, that's an Atlas master tank slipped over a milled yellow box frame. I know that's alot of work, but I was just seeing how far I could stretch a $20 model... |
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Post by iomalley on May 1, 2017 19:13:58 GMT -5
I still love my old blow box Athearns. They are a clean slate, and lend themselves to detailing. One project is a Con Cor/Roco GP40. The cab bases don't have the step wells molded, but Cannon has the solution. The only other bad point is the engineer's side railing has the step, which should only be on the fireman's side. Some of Mr. O'Malley's side frames sound good too. The subbase is not that bad. I made up some decals to make the tops look better, but they are a good representation of the earliest GP38 boxes without the door stiffener beads. (which this GTW is, a cancelled Maine Central 38 order) You have to drill out for the handbrake (which is a $0.50 Atlas ratchet brake) anyway, so its easy to cut it all away to add the step. (same for the back) 
Box top decals...  |
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dtinut
Chairman
Modeling the DT&I of the 60's & 70's
Posts: 661
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Post by dtinut on May 2, 2017 21:28:20 GMT -5
You can do a lot with the older models for little work and some detail parts.    Brian |
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dtinut
Chairman
Modeling the DT&I of the 60's & 70's
Posts: 661
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Post by dtinut on May 2, 2017 21:30:36 GMT -5
BTW - i got some of Sean's replacement sideframes to put on this model....
Brian
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Post by SCLFanatic on Oct 13, 2017 13:37:18 GMT -5
Speaking of SCL - here is my rework of an Atlas 1st release (1977?) FP7  I used the Details West F-unit detail kit, added the lower headlight, riveted the pilot, scratchbuilt the bracket behind the front truck, replaced all the glazing, new Kato motor and trucks, added DCC DSX Soundtraxx Decoder with TCS A1 motor/lighting board (this project is 10 years old)! |
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sd80mac
Probationary Member
Posts: 8
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Post by sd80mac on Oct 14, 2017 19:27:21 GMT -5
Speaking of SCL - here is my rework of an Atlas 1st release (1977?) FP7 I used the Details West F-unit detail kit, added the lower headlight, riveted the pilot, scratchbuilt the bracket behind the front truck, replaced all the glazing, new Kato motor and trucks, added DCC DSX Soundtraxx Decoder with TCS A1 motor/lighting board (this project is 10 years old)!
Hi Carl,
You done a very nice job with the model! Turning older models into gems is my forte! Can you elaborate on the Kato truck and motor conversion?
Thanks,
Donnell |
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sd80mac
Probationary Member
Posts: 8
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Post by sd80mac on Oct 14, 2017 19:32:38 GMT -5
With a modicum of work, you can make these stand in beside the newest releases. Here's a F9 which started out as a atlas yellow box fp7.
Great job on this kitbash iomalley! The 70s Roco/Atlas shells were actually really well designed for their time to the point where they can be brought up to date with a bit of hard work! Also, you modeled my favorite freight railroad; EXTRA CREDIT!!!
Donnell
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Post by SCLFanatic on Oct 16, 2017 8:13:23 GMT -5
Thank you Donnell for your kind comments.
The motor/truck conversion is fairly easy; I mounted a piece of styrene in the frame to mount the motor on it's side, I used a motor with A-Line flywheels then, but you can find Kato motors with the flywheels preinstalled. For the trucks, they mount on the original bolsters without modification to the frame; the only addition is a small washer that sits between the truck's bolster pad and the frame; use the Kadee red washer as a reference. The idea came from Jim Six's article on upgrading an Atlas FP7 (I dont remember the issue/year).
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