Athearn refers to some of its HO F7s as "modernized." What does that mean? Is it prototypical and if so when was this 'modernization' done?
Hello "mreagent,"
There were various ways that F7s were modernized. For example, if side panels were replaced at some time in the unit's life, it might receive the later "F9" style with vertical slits instead of horizontal louvers. Or a 36-inch dynamic brake fan might be replaced with a 48-inch fan, also an F9 feature. Winterization hatches and external oil coolers are other appliances added to some F7s, as were various forms of radio antennas and rotating beacons. The models Athearn is advertising as modernized are painted for roads that kept Fs in service longer than most, so you'd expect to see that reflected in the detailing. The changes would have taken place at various times depending on the particular railroad, from the late 1950s to the 1970s.
So long,
Andy
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
Also rules came into effect in I think the early-mid sixties regarding access handrails or grabirons on engines, making it easier for workers to get up on the nose of F or similar engines to do maintenance work, clean windshields etc. Any F unit still in service from the mid-sixties on had a row of grabirons going up the side of the nose, with other additional grabirons up at the top usually.
You can see them on this Burlington Northern Executive F9. The handrails are visible just to the left of the "BN-1" numberboard, going up the side of the engine.
Another F7 modernization was the removal of part or all of the side skirting between the trucks to allow for visual inspection of the fuel tanks. To the best that I have been able to research so far, this was done to many/most F units in the 60's.
This is also one of the common aspects that visually identify a modernized F unit or GP unit.
Sheldon
As built, AFAIK none of them had ditch lights. THey may have been added in 1990's era rebuildings? Depends on the road.
It would be neat for Trains to redo & update the first generation diesel tape/DVD. How many dinosaurs are left running now?
Most F's were delivered with no nose MU option, as time went on these were added to the F's to make them more versatile.
Rick
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Wdlgln005 As built, AFAIK none of them had ditch lights. THey may have been added in 1990's era rebuildings? Depends on the road. It would be neat for Trains to redo & update the first generation diesel tape/DVD. How many dinosaurs are left running now?
Yes, the last F-units were delivered in the late fifties, the "Canadian" style ditchlights weren't added to US engines until the 1980's. So the Fs that were still around (like Erie Mining Co. F9s) did get them, but most Fs had been retired by then.
AFAIK the EMCO / LTV units were the last Fs to be hauling freight, into the early part of this decade.
Ditch light? what's a ditch light?
It's still 1954 where I model.
Just to confuse things, engines in 1954 did have something called "ditch lights" but weren't the same as what we have now, with two lights creating a triangle of light with the headlight. Back then, they were lights that shown down on the ground around the engine steps, to help you get on and off the engine in the dark.
wjstix Just to confuse things, engines in 1954 did have something called "ditch lights" but weren't the same as what we have now, with two lights creating a triangle of light with the headlight. Back then, they were lights that shown down on the ground around the engine steps, to help you get on and off the engine in the dark.
I hear those refered to as truck lights, and they were more for the engineer to see the ground below him to see whether or not his locomotive is moving while starting his train. That is how it was explained to me anyway.
onequiknova wjstix Just to confuse things, engines in 1954 did have something called "ditch lights" but weren't the same as what we have now, with two lights creating a triangle of light with the headlight. Back then, they were lights that shown down on the ground around the engine steps, to help you get on and off the engine in the dark. I hear those refered to as truck lights, and they were more for the engineer to see the ground below him to see whether or not his locomotive is moving while starting his train. That is how it was explained to me anyway.
Yup, they were often called ditch lights back then, because the light shone towards the ditches along the sides of the tracks. Later when the Canadian / European three-light triangle was adopted the lower two lights began to be called ditch lights.