Athearn Santa Fe F7 Freight Scheme

[cedarwoodron]

I have some old BB F7 A and B units which I want to restore in the Santa Fe blue/yellow/silver freight colors.

Anyone use spray can colors and know if there is a close match in Rustoleum or Krylon for the Santa Fe blue? I figure I can get the yellow and silver/aluminum fairly easy.

Also- I will get the detail kit for these, but on the B unit, is there any need to replace the stock Athearn wheels-or just clean them up as is?

Cedarwoodron

[Wolf359]

I just looked on Walmart's site, and they have Rustoleum spray paint in a color called Classic Navy that appears to be pretty close to Santa Fe's blue. At least according to the cap color anyway. As for the B unit, my opinion is it depends on the condition of the wheels, and wether or not you want to upgrade them. Hope this is helpful. Good luck.

[zstripe]

Can't help You with the rattle can paint colors....but if You want some dead ringer colors......for the Blue I would suggest MM Insignia Blue and MM Blue Angels Yellow. The aluminum color instead of silver. Here's is a handy color chart for older Floquil colors with alternatives to use. I found that all Floquil colors were dead on for Railroad colors:

http://www.microscale.com/Floquil%20Color%20Chart.pdf

A pic' of the Athearn SW 1200 ''Cow & Calf'' I redone with the MM colors I mentioned. I did not paint the Cow only the Calf. I did it with an air brush though:

As far as the F7 goes.......I have seen them in two different Yellows in real life, a creamy looking Yellow and I brighter Yellow in Many photos......I'm told they are both correct. My Stewart AB units came in the creamy Yellow.....to My taste, I prefer that over the bright Yellow:

An actual photo of one with the pale yellow:

https://www.google.com/search?q=santa+fe+f7+freight&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjm-6W4tefZAhUCyFkKHaUqBCgQsAQIKA&biw=1218&bih=566#imgrc=OeYj9pWGJPWqYM:

Good Luck, on Your project! 

Frank

 

[BRVRR]

Cedarwoodron,

I cannot address your question about paint colors since I have always used Floquil paints and fortunately have a supply that should last for awhile.

As to the wheels on your B-unit. If it is a powered unit, cleaning the wheels should do the trick unless they are really worn.

If the two locos are going to be run together as a set, I always install metal wheels if they are not already in place. I tie the the locos together with a Minitronics 2-pin electrical connection. This doubles the electrical pick-up and is real handy if you are installing sound.