P&D F Unit detailing for CB&Q F3

rdunniii posted:

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

hibar posted:

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

great link, Erik. The idea of building a P&D F unit from the ground up is tempting, however the paint job on these Atlas F3 is what really saves them. It is beautifully rendered with razor sharp tampo printing, my Sunset F7's don't come even close in that regard.

Interesting, I do not own any Sunset diesels and did not realize that paint jobs are noticeably not as sharp as the Atlas products, I would have thought at the pricing difference they would be comparable in that respect, obviously different china factories.

Yeah crazy how some manufacturers can be ahead in some aspects and behind in some others. Sunset still uses decals in their models for some reason. The amount of touch ups I had to do on my sunset rio grandes where more than I care to confess.

The simple reason is cost.  There is a reason Atlas requires 300 of each scheme to be done (that's minimum they require for custom schemes).  It costs several thousands of dollars to set up the pad printing for the first unit of each scheme.  And when you agree to 20 units as a minimum and 600 total units divided by 20 plus schemes you would be adding a minimum of $100/unit.  The cost of several hours of labor in China for each unit is probably less than ~$50 per unit vs ~$200 for pad printing 20.

Good to know, one of the trade offs I guess to be able to address a smaller market with a wider variety of products.

Santiago keep up the great work.

It's just marvelous what you have shared with us. I'm repeating myself but that's ok.

I really enjoy your material on OGR! 

By the way what Richard wrote about costs is very true. In the brass high end market they make the high cost graphics and in limited numbers however all at a cost. We know about that.. :/

What Sunset produces for the cost is phenomenal. I agree that I want them a little better but that's what we do buddy! We remake them into these fabulous one of kind models like you have done here. 

Best of category? Absolutely this one fits right in! 

Pilots done and ready to install! I'm really happy with these, they are a huge improvement over my first ones. Without question the most difficult thing in this project.

So close to finishing, guys!

Santiago, your attention to detail and execution are super, as is you photography.

Dang....I'm never going to get my new bench work done if you keep posting pics like these....  I keep running back to the computer all the time. 

Greay work, really! it's a marvel of detail! 

jpv in France

Incandescent bulbs ftw!

THESE GUYS ARE D-O-N-E!

I wanna thank everyone who in some form or another contributed to this thread, you guys are awesome!

I'm working on some studio shots and a video that I'll post on a separate thread.

Fantastic! And I haven't even seen the video yet... 

Mark in Oregon

Stunning! 

A Master Craftsman!  What a treat to view

Spectacular work! Thanks for sharing the full build with us!

Bob

So spectacular Santiago. 

Thank you! I've been enjoying these units a lot lately 

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Incandescent bulbs ftw!

Hi Santiago, 

I have been following your wonderful build of these f3's . I'm doing the same build with highliners / athearn Genesis locomotives , I'm stumped on the whole headlight /Mars light  package . I see from your build you have clear headlights  , mine came with a red light on the top . From the photos I came up with the color is really unclear and after talking with Erik about this I figured I would ask you about it . Keep up the outstanding work 

Nick 

Question, I'm doing the same thing to my MTH PS1 NYC F3 and to date have not found any number boards with white numbers and black background that allows you to light up.   I have found the reverse black numbers with a clear background but that's not correct for NYC.  Any suggestions? Santiago, yours look amazing 

Gary,

Did you look on decal sheets?  Especially for the type of engine you are working on, they should be correct for the engine.  Those work fine lighted.

Gene Anstine

Nick M posted:

SANTIAGOP23 posted:

Incandescent bulbs ftw!

Hi Santiago, 

I have been following your wonderful build of these f3's . I'm doing the same build with highliners / athearn Genesis locomotives , I'm stumped on the whole headlight /Mars light  package . I see from your build you have clear headlights  , mine came with a red light on the top . From the photos I came up with the color is really unclear and after talking with Erik about this I figured I would ask you about it . Keep up the outstanding work 

Nick 

Nick, thank you for the kind comments. If you ask me both are correct, it depends the year you're modeling. For as delivered a single full MARS light is correct, for 50's timeframe included freight operation dual headlight with MARS and lower red light is correct too. The headlight itself stayed the same. Hope this helps.

grfd59 posted:

Gary,

Did you look on decal sheets?  Especially for the type of engine you are working on, they should be correct for the engine.  Those work fine lighted.

Gene Anstine

????? 

superwarp1 posted:

grfd59 posted:

Gary,

Did you look on decal sheets?  Especially for the type of engine you are working on, they should be correct for the engine.  Those work fine lighted.

Gene Anstine

????? 

You said you are looking for white numbers on black background.  Any decals for engines will have numbers for the number boards, you just have to look at the sheets for the correct font.  The best way is to find the engine type that you are working on, that should have the correct font and size.  If you are looking to replace the number board housing then you need to go to P&D and find the number board housing for the engine you have, then add the numbers.  You may need to drill a hole in the housing to insert a lamp or LED.

Maybe I'm missing something else.  If you want to change an engine number you need to get rid of the existing numbers and put decals on the number board.

Gene Anstine

Santiago- Thought you were done with this one. Not

Just curious, what decoder did you use? Does it have DCC/DC capability?

I’m working on a few projects along the same lines as your superb Q F3’s.

BTW after many years I’ve found a lens solution. 8mm for Atlas upper (and lower ATSF) headlights and 6mm for lower F headlight (in door), round microscope slide coverslips. You might use that in the future. It also works for upper EMD E unit headlights. Can’t attest to lower, but 6mm probably works. Cheap on eBay.

I

Marker, that's an ESU lokpilot XL. I don't think they make them anymore, but they work great.

As for the lenses, I had a guy custom cut polycarbonate sheets, but your suggestion sounds great. 

I'd love to go all out on some Atlas atsf F7's, they look great to me. 

Right get now I'm working on a Sunset QE9, going full ESU Loksound L with as many lights as a Key diesel. Will post soon!

Santiago you have to post that one. I’m sure you know that bulb lighting is a problem with DCC. Many with are perplexed getting Key units converted to DCC because of bulbs instead of LED’s. 

You duplicate the equivalent of Key lighting with DCC, you will have conquered something that have left many puzzled. 

I’m working on the same with the Atlas F’s, i.e., full exterior and interior lighting. Which as you know, includes cab, engine room, ground lights, and proper headlight, number board light, class light, backup light control. Key has the lights, they don’t have DCC control.  Except for possibly the Cab Forward.

The only person that continuously works towards that end is Bob Sobol. The solution seems to be multiple decoders. 

I’m excited about what you are doing. I’d appreciate it if I can just follow your work.  It’s easier. 😎

The Loksound is very popular amongst the guys I know. The engines I’ve listened to, so equipped, are excellent. 

Best of luck. 

Exquisite!!!

Santiago 

Just came across your video. Great job, very helpful. 

Santiago, you have shared a lot of your work over time on these Forums.  Thanks.

Thanks, Tom!