Looking for top-down shots of C&NW commuter F's and E's

[raynbecky]

Does anyone have a decent pic of what the roofs of these units looked like after they got HEP equipment? I'm looking for pictures from the 70's and 80's. I want to re-create this equipment. (I realize I'll have to scratchbuild the mufflers.) I would just like to make sure I get the locations as correct as possible. I'm also looking for the dynamic brake section of the F's. It looks like they had 2 36" fans covered by screen but would like to see a pic if one is available. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I hope you get some replies with photo references, since I'm in the middle of exactly the same project.

I suspect the fans installed on the F7s were smaller in diameter than 36", as the dynamic brake hatch where they were installed was only about 6'6'' in length. I'm guessing the fan housings were in the range of 24" to 30" in diameter to be able to fit (unless CNW enlarged the hatch when the units were converted from freight to passenger service when dynamic brakes were removed--and from side-view photos of converted F7s, it doesn't loook to me as if they were lengthened).

The horizontal covering over these fans also appears to me to be plain ol' sheet metal, rather than screening. A rain and snow shield perhaps?

Finally as to F7s, it appears to me from the pretty poor overhead shots I've seen, the rearmost hatch was widened when HEP equipment was installed, so that the rearmost hatch is as wide as the hatches over the prime mover.

[cspmo]

This is the best I could do for right now.

[raynbecky]

Thanks! This is the best pic I have seen so far. If you have anymore let me know. I would like to get a better shot of the fans on the front. This shows the HEP section quite well. I just can't make out the db section too good.

[cspmo]

I couldn't find anymore, if I had a scanner I could give more. If you live not to far from Rockford ILL. visit Illinois Railroad Museum they have 2 Metra (ex Chicago & Northwestern F-7)

[raynbecky]

If you want to contact me off-line about this I would be willing to pay for you to scan these pics and send them to me. I can pay you a number of ways including PayPal if you are willing to do it. Please contact me at [e-mail] if you are interested. If not, I'll have to do that next time I visit my family in Chicago! Thanks! :>