Installing AMB #228 Laser Cut Windows in BB F7As

[Attuvian]

AMB's #228 provides scale-sized windshields (among other parts) for Athearn Blue Box EMD F7A units.  Listings for this item indicate that shell modifications are required for installation.  To me, the wording is somewhat inconclusive.  Does this mean that I will be making scratch reductions to the over-sized stock window frames or does AMB provide pre-sized, frame-reducing inserts into which the glazing is placed?

If there is some mini-bashing to be done, pointers, tips, and especially photos would be appreciated.

Thanks

John

[riogrande5761]

From memory, AMB provided two windshield kits for Athearn blue box F7A's:

One was similar to the Walthers dress up kit windshield that fit within the Athearn oversized windshield openings; the appearance was still basically the same. 

The other kit had a closer to scale windshield within a frame that was sized to fit the oversized window opening, and improved appearance of the windshiled greatly.

From the review I read, the latter naturally would require fitting and probably a bit of putty to fill the gap/seam where the part fits in and paint to match after sanding smooth.  I never did it myself; hopefully someone has and took photo's or has a reference to the announcement/review from years back, possibly on TrainLife.

[mbinsewi]

It says on the AMB web site, they are press-in kits.

It says "Premasked for easy painting", and "Press fit insertion & a perfect fit".

I'm going to give them a try.

Mike.

[RR_Mel]

I’ve used their E7 window kits in Cary E7 bodies and they just press in.  I used Testors Clear Parts Cement from the inside to make sure they didn’t come out.  They’ve been in for about 5 years of somewhat rough handling.  The Cary body on an Athearn SD40 frame isn’t exactly a light weight locomotive so they require a pretty good grip to prevent dropping them.  None of the windows have come out of four Cary E7 bodies.

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Attuvian]

riogrande5761

From memory, AMB provided two windshield kits for Athearn blue box F7A's:

One was similar to the Walthers dress up kit windshield that fit within the Athearn oversized windshield openings; the appearance was still basically the same. 

The other kit had a closer to scale windshield within a frame that was sized to fit the oversized window opening, and improved appearance of the windshiled greatly.

From the review I read, the latter naturally would require fitting and probably a bit of putty to fill the gap/seam where the part fits in and paint to match after sanding smooth.  I never did it myself; hopefully someone has and took photo's or has a reference to the announcement/review from years back, possibly on TrainLife.

[/quote]

[riogrande5761]

I guess even with a "perfect fit", there will still be a seam around the part where it meets the original shell.  A seam that is not present on the real thing.  Whether or not that bothers you is up to the modeler.  That is what may need a bit of putty and wet sanded to hide it.  And since the frame that is press-fit in will unlikely be a different color than the shell, it will need painting too.

At one time I had a few Athearn blue box F units and thought about doing this modification but after Stewart came out with their much much nicer F units, I sold off the Athearns so it became moot.