Detail kits for Athearn locomotives?

[Anonymous]

Hi folks,I saw that someone in this forum on a topic about Athearn locomotives say that you could buy detail kits for those good ol blue box Athearn loco`s.I am new to the hobby,but I already own ten of these economical loco`s.I would love to know where to buy these kits as I like to tinker with my Athearn locomotives and rolling stock to make a little better detail for the buck.Can anyone tell me where to buy them, and whats available? I sure would enjoy that THANKS!! Charlie

[DTomajko]

There are some kits available from Details West for the newer Athearn locomotives.For an older loco,consult prototype photos,books,or magazines to determine the specific details needed,search through the offerings of Cal Scale,Detail Associates,Details West,etc. to find the needed parts. A good source of information is a Walther's catalog which contains most detail manufacturers.A hobby shop with a comprehensive train department should have or get anything offered.Check the pages of MR,RMC,or MRG for a dealer near you if you don't have one.Also don't overlook the offerings from other hobbies,such as plastic kits,R/C,or ship modelers for useful items.Good luck & good modeling,DT, Pa.

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie,Check out this website http://www.walthers.com/ This is where I always buy my kits, they have almost every kit made.
If you don`t have a hobby shop near you I would buy one of there catalogs, they are about $20.00 but are worth every penny. Here is another website http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/ that might have what you are looking for. If there is a certain kind of kit your looking for let me know and I will try to help. If you need any kind of help let me know.

Nathan

[Anonymous]

Hi Nathan and all you guys that help me. I guess I should have told you I live in the middle of the dessert in west Texas. No hobby shops for hundreds of miles.El Paso has a couple of hobby shops but there 230 miles away.Also,I should have told you that my locos are very new. I would like some windows ect... for some F7A/BB/A units that pull my streamlined pasenger train.And a pair of Dash 9 units that pull the freight train Im building are ok on detail. Its the F/A and B units that I want to have better detail.Thanks for the info about the catalog and web sites. I will make good use of them. I am very new to this hobby but love it,so I will ask for your help Nathan. Thanks for offering it!!!! Charlie Alpine Texas

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie,I have a couple of F7s myself.What railroad are you trying to model? To give it a realistic touch it helps if you have some prototype photos. Let me know what railroad you model and I will try to help find some superdetail stuff for you.

Happy modeling, Nathan

[Anonymous]

Hi Nathan,I am modeling an ATSF pasenger train . I am using Athearn streamlined passenger car kits and of course the loco`s.Of course the F7/ABBA units are painted up in passenger silver w/war bonnet.I really do thank you for your help!I have been needing someone to ask questions,as there seems to be no other model railroaders In this tiny town. Thanks again and have a nice day!! Charlie

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie, Here are some websites with prototype info and pictures, http://www.ndrr.com/rmr_faq/Models/Prototype/Santa%20Fe%20Warbonnets%2010.htm

http://www.mugii.com/john/Pictures/SE_Iowa_1970s/

Also Charlie are you wanting to superdetail your passenger cars? I must WARN you some of these details can be expensive. I will let you know when I find some details.If you have any questions about anything let me know. If there is anything else you need to detail I will try to find some details for you.

Have a great day, Nathan

[dknelson]

At one time Walthers offered what was called a "Diesel Dress-Up Kit" for Athearn (and other) F7s. Grab irons, etc. It might still be in the catalog and makes a fun first detailing project. Nowadays I'd investigate the laser cut windows and porthole windows.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie, I found some superdetail stuff for you. Here are some, but I am still looking for more. I found all of these in the Walthers HO scale model railroad reference book. These are Highliners details, they are on page 73 in the reference book.

Wire Screening
328-10010 A unit $14.95
328-10020 B unit $14.95
These are "see-through" photoetched, preblackened, .003" thick stainless-steel screens simulate the "chicken wire" applied over air intakes on prototype F3s
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Stainless Steel "FARR" AIR GRILLES
328-10017 A unit F7 pkg(2) $16.95
328-10019 A unit F9 pkg(2) $16.95
328-10027 B unit F7 pkg(2) $18.95
328-10029 B unit F9 pkg(2) $18.95
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Includes five 36" low fans four 34" tall fans,one 48" fan, eight sand filler hatches, four exhaust stacks, steam generator vents etc. Used for E/F units,GP7,GP9,GP18,GP20 and SD units.
FAN AND DETAIL PARTS SETS
328-2001 #1 $14.95
328-2002 #2 Photo-Etched Fan Grilles and Detail Parts $5.95
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F UNIT BODY SHELL KITS
Body shell kits can build any version of the F2,F3,F5,F7 or F9 diesel. They are for use with powered or unpowered Athearn F7 chassis, or Stewart Hobbies/Kato F unit drives.
B UNIT KITS include molded plastic detail parts: four versions of the dynamic brake hatch, tall and short roof fans, five sets of side panel inserts, steam generator parts, two styles of sand filler hatches, flush-mounted porthole "glass", photo-etched stainless steel fan grilles, door handles, lift rings and other detail parts.
A UNIT KITS include all the details found in the B unit kits plus true-to-scale headlights, three styles of number boards, two styles of pilots, two styles of cab doors, three nose doors (with and without lights) two styles of lights, horns , five types of side porthole arrangement inserts, "winterization hatch" and coupler door cover, photo-etched stainless steel windshield wipers, windshield and porthole "gaskets",cab side-window "wide wings", cab door kick plates",
pilot corner steps and winterization hatch screen.
328-1001 A Unit $47.95
328-1002 B Unit $35.95
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To order any of these call 1-800-4 Trains
or go to http://www.walthers.com
Like I said before I will try to find some more for you.

Happy Modeling,
Nathan

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,wow!! You guys are so much help.Thats a lot of work looking up all of that stuff and typing it all up for me Nathan.You thought of everything I could possibly need. I promise to make good use of all of it.I guess Im going to have to order that reference guide. Sorry I didn`t get to the computer yesterday, I was very busy, and also had a huge thunderstorm with 60 mile per hour winds to clean up from. Hope I can do something for you someday.THANKS AGAIN & HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!! Charlie

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie, Was that storm a tornado? I live in Jackson Tn. and you think 60 mph winds are bad try 200 mph tornados. I`m still cleaning washing machines out of my pond. My best advice would be to buy the Walthers model railroad reference guide. It has lot`s of kits for any project. Do you have any questions about anything? I would be glad to help in any projects or questions. Are there any other parts you need for anything?
I will be glad to help.

Your Modeling Friend,
Nathan

[Anonymous]

Hi Nathan,it`s great to have you as a modeling friend.No, that storm was not a tornado,but last nights storm surpassed the one the day before with 70 mile per hour straight line winds. Week before last my daughter and I stood on the front porch and watched a tornado go by about a mile away. Not much damage though. I am going to purchace Walthers model railroad guide next week. And right now I guess I will have plenty of work ahead of my with my project F7`s. And I also have An Athearn genesis SD70M to put together so I can start a freight train. I have never tried any thing like that before, and Im a little intimidated. Hands and eyes don`t work as well as they used to and the parts are very small. Also there will be two Athearn Dash 9 dummies behind the SD70M that have to be put together. If you have any input on that it would sure help. Also would those three loco`s be a realistic stack of engines on a prototype Union Pacific main line freight tran? Thank you as always and watch out for those flying washing machines! Your greatful Modeling friend Charlie

[Anonymous]

Hi Charlie,I really couldn`t tell you much about the Union Pacific railway, so I don`t know if those three locomotives would be realistic or not.
Anyway I found another F unit detail kit for you,
it`s on page 981 in the Walthers HO scale reference book. It`s made by Gold Medal Models.
#304-8711 Detailing Set For Diesel Locomotives
Includes 28 windshield wipers in two different styles, 84 lift rings in two different styles, four cab-window sunshades, four rearview mirrors, and eight wind deflectors. All parts are stainless steel.
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I bought an HO scale Athearn SW1500 which I`m in the process of superdetailing it and I am going to put an Accurate lighting kit in it. What this kit does is adds ditch lights and makes the light burn at full intensity before the unit moves. Which makes it look more realistic. I noticed that they have a kit for every locomotive you mentioned in your post, would you like more info on these kits or would you rather keep your locos stock? Do you have a layout? When you finish your F units I would love to see some pictures.

Your Modeling Friend,
Nathan
ps:I will watch out for flying washing machines!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Nathan,I am going to pick out the detail parts that I think I can put together and be able to pay for. Those lighting kits sound like something I would love to add to my F units. Mostly, I want windows,windshield wipers and constant lighting.I don`t have a layout that I can leave out permantly.I live in a fairly small duplex,but my wife,daughter and I are looking to buy a house. Im 47 years old and still renting. What I do is set up my 4x8 sheet of plywood, and I use Atlas code 83 True Track put together each time I run my trains. I have a couple of turnouts but the trains run In a big circle and thats all I can do till I have more room. I can`t wait till I can have a layout with scenery and every thing. I just started in January with an Athearn train set,and found I love this hobby. I now have a passenger train from 1939 called the ATSF valley flyer. I have the IHC premier series semi streamlined 4-6-2 Pacific loco painted up in valley flyer colors,and lots of Athearn heavyweight passenger cars,sleepers,baggage,diner,coaches ect...In the same colors.And of course the other passenger train we have talked about with similar consists.I would love the info on those lighting kits if oyu have time.I guess I have told you my life story,didn`t mean to ramble. Thanks again from your friend Charlie Hill, Alpine Texas