Hi all,
Going through some photographs and the instructions for Highliners' shells, i noticed that Phase I F7B's did have an "early" steam generator exhaust/vent whereas other phases (Ib+) where using a "late" one which was blended to the carbody (sort of).
I know and have seen photos of a locomotive i have in mind using the early exhaust/vent (in the early 50s). My question is, if these exhausts/vents where typically replaced/changed to the late type ones during the service lives of the locomotives (Farr grilles, rooftop fans etc did get changed for example). I have seen F3b units with the late type (even though i suppose that they did come with the early type from the factory).
I am wondering if the unit i got in mind, was having most probably the early or the late type by the mid sixties.
I understand that without photographs of the specific roadnumber at a specific time period, a sure answer is a no-go, but what i am after is finding out what was more typical/usual practice for replacing or keeping these exhausts (early/late), so that i opt for the more plausible/possible solution.
Many thanks in advance for your time/replies.
Finding real railroad documentation for this sort of thing is quite unusual. What appears much more common is someone going through a multitude of dated photographs. In your case, either someone has done it already or they haven't. Asking here is not unreasonable. I would also suggest the ATSF Yahoo site:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ATSF/conversations/messages
And perhaps the Trains magazines section of this collection of forums. Not all knowledgeable railroad fans read the modeling section.
I have done this kind of thing a few times. One was when I was curious about when SP&S added numberboards to their steam locomotives. As mentioned, I looked at a lot of dated photographs, most from books, and came up with my information.
You are in luck, I think, because there must be at least 3 and a half bazillion photos of Santa Fe passenger F's in the world.
On the other hand, sometimes one can run into former railroad employees who were there at the time. Again, a good choice for further info (if no one here has it) would be the Yahoo group.
I did find this lovely dated photo fairly quickly:
http://www.railpictures.net/photo/574879/
Ed
Edward Sutorik
Ed many thanks for the detailed reply!I though to ask in case there was some common/usual railroad practice for this. As you say photographic research can come handy.
I have seen several of the online available photos on B units of the ATSF including the one you linked (that is a later phase than the roadnumber i had in mind, with the late vent, thanks for bringing it up though.). Given by what i have seen online and through dated photos from my ATSF books, i think that many units by the mid 1960s appear to have the late type (regardless on how they were delivered). For example, from the same site you linked the photo from, one can see a pair of F3B units with the late vent in 1973. So based on that i think i am leaning towards using a late vent for a mid sixties unit.
Thanks again
Yannis
Yannis,
I do suggest bringing the subject up over at the ATSF Yahoo group. There are, not surprisingly, a LOT of knowlegeable people there. AND, it's an interesting question.
Thank you Ed, i will definately have that (the ATSF group) in mind as a resource! In the meantime i passed my question along to the ATSF historical society.