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ATSF CF7 2486
I started with an Athearn CF7, already decorated as ATSF 2486.
I added and modified details, and touched up the paint and decals.
I also replaced the lights with brighter LEDs and installed DCC with sound.
Weathering is a combination of artist oils and powdered chalks.
I started with an Athearn CF7, already decorated as ATSF 2486.
I added and modified details, and touched up the paint and decals.
I also replaced the lights with brighter LEDs and installed DCC with sound.
Weathering is a combination of artist oils and powdered chalks.
Right: Sister CF7 ATSF 2571 is similar to my model
of ATSF 2486, with an angular cab fitted with an A/C
unit, forward-mounted radio platform, and airhorn on
the engineer's side.
CF7s are "Cleburne F7s" rebuilt from carbody-style
diesels (e.g. F3s, F7s, and F9s) by Santa Fe's
Cleburne, TX shops. Santa Fe forces fabricated a
new underframe and GP7-style long hood, while the
cab section originally retained some of the F-unit
heritage, such as the curved roof profile. However,
many CF7s, including 2571 and 2486, later received
angular cabs as seen here.
of ATSF 2486, with an angular cab fitted with an A/C
unit, forward-mounted radio platform, and airhorn on
the engineer's side.
CF7s are "Cleburne F7s" rebuilt from carbody-style
diesels (e.g. F3s, F7s, and F9s) by Santa Fe's
Cleburne, TX shops. Santa Fe forces fabricated a
new underframe and GP7-style long hood, while the
cab section originally retained some of the F-unit
heritage, such as the curved roof profile. However,
many CF7s, including 2571 and 2486, later received
angular cabs as seen here.
Right: The added cab details are seen here.
The front platform has the low MU stand glued on.
The windows are masked off to protect them during
painting and weathering steps. Yet to be masked are
the nose top and the cab steps, to be painted blue
(see finished images above).
The front platform has the low MU stand glued on.
The windows are masked off to protect them during
painting and weathering steps. Yet to be masked are
the nose top and the cab steps, to be painted blue
(see finished images above).
On both ends, I added Detail Associates low
MU stands. The complex coupler cut levers are
made from Cal-Scale 682 parts with scratch-
made brass wire handles on each side.
The antenna platform is a KV Models etched
metal part. On the hood, I added wire lift rings.
MU stands. The complex coupler cut levers are
made from Cal-Scale 682 parts with scratch-
made brass wire handles on each side.
The antenna platform is a KV Models etched
metal part. On the hood, I added wire lift rings.
Below: For the protruding front sections of the fuel tank, I cannibalized some
Stewart F-unit shells and attached these bits onto the Athearn sidesill on each side.
Stewart F-unit shells and attached these bits onto the Athearn sidesill on each side.
Below: Packing a Soundtraxx Current-Keeper II (left, under green
tape, a Soundtraxx Tsunami-2 sound decoder (middle, blue board),
and a Scale Sound Systems speaker with enclosure (right, under
green tape) into such a small hood was a challenge. Also, I replaced
Athearn's incandescent bulbs with brighter LEDs mounted directly
behind the head and rear light lenses.
tape, a Soundtraxx Tsunami-2 sound decoder (middle, blue board),
and a Scale Sound Systems speaker with enclosure (right, under
green tape) into such a small hood was a challenge. Also, I replaced
Athearn's incandescent bulbs with brighter LEDs mounted directly
behind the head and rear light lenses.