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 Posted - March 03 2012 : 5:06:02 PM
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Finally a day off. Finally a nice sunny day in Southern California. A great day to work on trains. Today, I decided to work on some Athearn projects that i never got around to completing. These are not major rebuilds but each has some work needed. Thought I would share some of these through photos.
A trio of Ugly Pacific Freights on the main, outside my workshop window. This is the former Taylor Yard or at least what is left of it. Up until the late 80's that entire area was covered with track and trains.
First up, A speed lettered Southern Pacific. She needs a bit of work and paint and a set of couplers.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
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Posted - March 03 2012 : 5:12:21 PM
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# used Athearn locos that need various degree of work. The SD-45 came with orange painted handrails. Got a great deal on it but since then have corrected the handrail colors, added new couplers and a replacement horn. Still needs number boards.
The CSX is a very interesting project. I got it on ebay for 8 dollars. accroding to the owner, the engine never ran and he couldn't figure out why. The shell alone is worth more that that so I picked it up. A very nicely detailed engine with alot of added detail. She won't run because it is missing the driveshafts. The motor turned off right away and I had some extra driveshafts and got it running.
The F Unit was a 4 dollar dummy engine I am currently powering up.
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 Posted - March 03 2012 : 7:25:41 PM
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Hi raysouthernpac,
Thanks for sharing your work. Real nice engines. I am a huge fan of Athearn trains.
Mytyco
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Posted - March 03 2012 : 7:54:55 PM
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| nice locos Am seriously jealous of the Rio Grande unit hehe
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Posted - March 04 2012 : 12:34:12 AM
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Here is the the other engine I worked on today. Strange but I couldn't seem to find any B&O FP-45s. I am pretty sure this is a fantasy scheme. She was very dirty and the gear chattered something ugly. Had to sand off some rust, do an extensive cleanup and replace the motor with a better running newer Athearn motor. Runs alot better now. a little paint didn't hurt either.
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Posted - March 04 2012 : 12:36:33 AM
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quote:Hi raysouthernpac,
Thanks for sharing your work. Real nice engines. I am a huge fan of Athearn trains.
Mytyco
Originally posted by mytyco - March 03 2012 : 7:25:41 PM
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Thanks mytyco. Athearns run forever, are easily customized and are very easy to work on. Even a dcc conversion is very simple in these engines. What's not to like.
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Posted - March 04 2012 : 12:38:33 AM
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quote:nice locos Am seriously jealous of the Rio Grande unit hehe
Originally posted by microbusss - March 03 2012 : 7:54:55 PM
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Thanks mb. The Rio Grande is one of my favorites, especially considering that they became the parent company to the SP. I would usually see RG units at Taylor Yard growing up and they quickly became a favorite of mine.
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Posted - March 04 2012 : 07:05:46 AM
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Neat Raysopac. Athearns are solid engines.
Alco Fan
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Posted - March 14 2012 : 4:19:51 PM
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| I picked one up over the weekend that the worm gear bearings had locked right up on for some reason. They came originally on a Trainmaster, but I swapped them out with an FP45 and got the FP45 with the stuck gears for the work. I got them freed up, but I'd never seen that before.
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Posted - March 15 2012 : 2:24:24 PM
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Never seen that either. glad you were able to get it running.
A good thing about the Fp45/ f-45 is that there is plenty of room for a sound decoder. That should make for an interesting project.
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Posted - March 15 2012 : 2:37:57 PM
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now you just need a FP45 Koadachrome in SP 
Yes do want a loco in Kodachrome in either or both SP & SF With matching caboose
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Posted - March 15 2012 : 6:29:13 PM
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quote:now you just need a FP45 Koadachrome in SP
Yes do want a loco in Kodachrome in either or both SP & SF With matching caboose
Originally posted by microbusss - March 15 2012 : 2:37:57 PM
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I have an F-45 and a GP-50 in Kodachrome (Both SF units). Kodachrome are pretty pricey and I am dying to get my hands on an SP version.
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Posted - March 15 2012 : 8:14:29 PM
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| ah ok idk if there are any real SP/SF Kodachromes left now =(
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Posted - March 15 2012 : 8:33:11 PM
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Ben, just buy a body with that roadname and buy a common FP-45! I see the bodies anyways on eBay once and a while.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - March 16 2012 : 12:05:34 PM
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Hey Ben,
Justin is right. That is exactly what I did. In fact, the F-45 you see in the photo was a Dummy Athearn I powered up. I got the Dummy brand New in the Box (Sealed up) for $4 dollars. After a motor, driveshafts light fixture and power trucks, I was out about 40 bucks total, alot cheaper than buying one of the new Athearn RTR version which is pretty hard to find as well. You can get an F-45 frame with motor probably for around 30-40 dollars on ebay and the shell is about 15. I keep a F-45 and FP-45 frame for future projects.
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Posted - March 16 2012 : 6:10:33 PM
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Ray - your pic reminds of the ending of the movie SWITCHBACK
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Posted - March 21 2012 : 12:46:53 AM
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Added to the workbench this weekend is my LOT, a geep that has seen better days.
I had a set of handrails at hand so after a much necessary cleaning,kadee couplers and detail job, this little geep is feeling a bit better
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Posted - March 21 2012 : 12:52:19 AM
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Another Blue Box Engine. This one I bought new in the box for $40 dollars at my local hobby shop. I painted the fuel tank and the trucks SP Lark and added Kadees. Looks 100% better.
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Edited by - raysouthernpac on March 21 2012 01:08:52 AM
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Posted - April 07 2012 : 5:15:50 PM
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Back in LA and finally some time off. the weather is not too shabby so time to add some engines to the roster. After a quick visit to the Roundhouse, I walked out with the following Athearn Bluebox beauties:
Another SF F-45 to add to the collection. These F units are solid runners and this baby is no exception.
I love SD-40's and think they are the best looking engines out there. Been looking for one in the merger scheme for sometime.
After some lubrication, and some paint, I will attach the handrails Kadees and post my progress photos.
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Edited by - raysouthernpac on April 07 2012 5:16:56 PM
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Posted - April 07 2012 : 11:40:33 PM
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Well here is my progress thus far. Handrails, Paint and Kadees make a huge difference.
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Posted - April 08 2012 : 01:09:24 AM
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a few other pieces I will be working on.
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Posted - April 08 2012 : 01:13:53 AM
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Here is the gp-9 I call dusty.
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Posted - April 09 2012 : 5:43:37 PM
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There are some "error" versions the SF SD40-2 as well. On some the lettering on the left side is in the same spot where the "SP" would have gone had the merger gone through and the units fully relettered to SPSF. Ive seen a couple on ebay and have a dummy one still brand new in the box.
Larry
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Posted - April 14 2012 : 12:22:25 AM
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quote:Here is the the other engine I worked on today. Strange but I couldn't seem to find any B&O FP-45s. I am pretty sure this is a fantasy scheme. She was very dirty and the gear chattered something ugly. Had to sand off some rust, do an extensive cleanup and replace the motor with a better running newer Athearn motor. Runs alot better now. a little paint didn't hurt either.
Originally posted by raysouthernpac - March 04 2012 : 12:34:12 AM
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Ray,
You would be right the B&O NEVER had FP45's, BUT they at Athearn painted them to represent the E-8a's.......In the later years before the merger.
Same way with the Athearn DD40, it was NEVER gotten by the B&O needless to say (way to big!) BUT they painted one with the "8500" number series, which was a SD50, and still, those never saw B&O "Dip" paints, they were all delivered in Chessie System colors, with B&O reporting marks on the cab! EVEN THO.......I have 4 of the DD40's and I had 2 of the FP45's!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - April 14 2012 : 6:06:19 PM
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Here's my vintage (c.1967) B&O DD40 - still new in the box.
This is a very early unit with brass wheels
Larry
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Posted - April 18 2012 : 8:57:35 PM
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quote: quote:Here is the the other engine I worked on today. Strange but I couldn't seem to find any B&O FP-45s. I am pretty sure this is a fantasy scheme. She was very dirty and the gear chattered something ugly. Had to sand off some rust, do an extensive cleanup and replace the motor with a better running newer Athearn motor. Runs alot better now. a little paint didn't hurt either.
Originally posted by raysouthernpac - March 04 2012 : 12:34:12 AM
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Ray,
You would be right the B&O NEVER had FP45's, BUT they at Athearn painted them to represent the E-8a's.......In the later years before the merger.
Same way with the Athearn DD40, it was NEVER gotten by the B&O needless to say (way to big!) BUT they painted one with the "8500" number series, which was a SD50, and still, those never saw B&O "Dip" paints, they were all delivered in Chessie System colors, with B&O reporting marks on the cab! EVEN THO.......I have 4 of the DD40's and I had 2 of the FP45's!
Originally posted by EM-1Â -Â April 14 2012Â :Â 12:22:25 AM
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That's what i figured. I am not much of a rivet counter myself but do prefer to have actual units in my collection and like to find the actual until on line as refference. When I couldn't find it, i know something was a miss. Thanks for sharing.
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Posted - April 18 2012 : 8:58:39 PM
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quote:
Here's my vintage (c.1967) B&O DD40 - still new in the box.
This is a very early unit with brass wheels
Larry
Originally posted by SOU2645Â -Â April 14 2012Â :Â 6:06:19 PM
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She is a beauty Larry and she sure is in great shape.
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 12:49:32 AM
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A few more SD-40-2 were added to the workbench, mostly for some handrail painting.
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 12:52:03 AM
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 01:10:17 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by raysouthernpac - April 20 2012 : 12:52:03 AM
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OMG! I took a fatory Athearn SD40-2, just like this one pictured and turned it into an Athearn CSX SD38! to be a "mother unit" to my CSX MT-6 slug!
Must say tho that Soo one you got here is in MUCH better shape then mine was!
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid...
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 08:46:55 AM
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I LOVES them Kodachrome SF & SP units
It was painted that way for a "almost" merger with SP & SF
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 12:40:57 PM
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quote: quote:
Originally posted by raysouthernpac - April 20 2012 : 12:52:03 AM
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OMG! I took a fatory Athearn SD40-2, just like this one pictured and turned it into an Athearn CSX SD38! to be a "mother unit" to my CSX MT-6 slug!
Must say tho that Soo one you got here is in MUCH better shape then mine was!
Originally posted by EM-1Â -Â April 20 2012Â :Â 01:10:17 AM
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Thanks, as you can probably see, F-45's and Sd-40-2 are my favorite engines.
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Posted - April 20 2012 : 12:47:04 PM
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quote:I LOVES them Kodachrome SF & SP units
It was painted that way for a "almost" merger with SP & SF
Originally posted by microbusss - April 20 2012 : 08:46:55 AM
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Hey Ben,
i need to do a lash up of my "almost" merger as I also have cabooses painted in merger scheme. As a kid, I was a bit spoiled in that within a mile of my house, both the Santa Fe and SP Lines ran. The old Santa Fe line is not utilized by the MTA Goldline while the Main on front of my house now is controlled by the UP. I got to see some of these merger locos up close. Ah the good old days.
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Posted - April 21 2012 : 8:53:46 PM
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Well what do you know...a new SD-40-2 added to the roster joined by a FM-Trainmaster on NW livery. My local Hobby Store is running out of bluebox kits but am happy to hear that I seem to be the only one buying them.
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Posted - April 22 2012 : 6:47:47 PM
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My LHS often has a nice stockpile of new in box bluebox freight car kits (including BevBel painted kits) more so than engines. I can easily get them for under 10 bucks a piece and have found rare special run items mixed in from time to time.
Larry
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Posted - April 27 2012 : 11:57:31 PM
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Another used older loco. Not the quietest loco in the bunch but she can pull a ton.
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Posted - June 10 2012 : 10:22:51 PM
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It's been a while since the workbench was booming with activity as it was this weekend. This weekend, things got really hectic around the work bench as some RTR engines rolled in. These engines are part of my dcc fleet and are receiving digitrax dh-123 decoders.
One of my favorite Loco's, a CF-7 in Santa Fe Livery.
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Posted - June 10 2012 : 10:24:21 PM
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Rio Grande and Ferromex modern monsters.
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Posted - June 10 2012 : 10:27:20 PM
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Finally this BNSF came in for some CV work.
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