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Detailing an Athearn F59PHI (Photo Intensive)

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Detailing an Athearn F59PHI (Photo Intensive)
Posted by MRH044 on Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:49 PM

I thought I would share my upgraded Athearn HO F59PHI with you all. I couldn’t find any pictures of detailed F59PHI models, so I thought I would post some pictures of what I did. This was just a fun little project for me as I usually stick to working with G scale.

I have nine of these locomotives (4 Metrolink, 5 Surfliners) and they are quite good out of the box. I really like the surfliner train sets and take the train to school and back. I thought I would spruce up engine, 463, since it is usually the one that is leading my train. Also, I was excited about the news of Union Station Products releasing the surfliners in kits. Unfortunately, they are too far out of my price range for a kit in my opinion.

I added roof antennas, windshield wipers, mirrors, air hoses, automatic train stop, and some other underbody details and I removed the copy right sign that was next to the Amtrak logo. I took out the rear light and dipped it in red paint. Then I put it next to the engineer side ditch light so that when the engine is in reverse, the red light is on. I also weathered AMTK 463 from a picture that I took of it in San Luis Obispo.

Hope you enjoy the additions, Michael

Automatic Train Stop

 

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Posted by MRH044 on Saturday, December 19, 2009 9:50 PM

Forward:

Reverse:

Before and After:  The lighting makes the blue look very different but in person, they are identical.

 

 

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~Excellency in the Details ~

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Posted by jasperofzeal on Sunday, December 20, 2009 4:05 AM

That's some very good work you did there, I really like the added under-body details and the weathering.  You're right, there aren't many pictures of F59PHI models out there, so yours are a good start.  Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.

 

BTW, you missed the copyright thing next to the Amtrak logo on the back...minor detail.

TONY

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Posted by duckdogger on Sunday, December 20, 2009 11:39 AM

 I like it.  Looks well used but also well maintained.  Gives the impression it is no stranger to a car wash rack.

What did you use - powders, chalk, gouache, washes?

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Posted by MRH044 on Sunday, December 20, 2009 7:32 PM

jasperofzeal

BTW, you missed the copyright thing next to the Amtrak logo on the back...minor detail.

 Oops....my mistake!! The pictures certainly enlarge the details. I fixed the problem after I read your post:

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Posted by Southwest Chief on Sunday, December 20, 2009 10:59 PM

Great job.

I see these all the time and your roof weathering is right on the money. 

I also like the ATS shoe.  Not too many modelers take the time to include an ATS shoe when it is appropriate for Santa Fe and Amtrak models.  And you even included a wire.  Nice touch Thumbs Up

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
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Posted by jasperofzeal on Monday, December 21, 2009 2:02 AM

MRH044
 Oops....my mistake!! The pictures certainly enlarge the details. I fixed the problem after I read your post:

I wasn't trying to scrutinize, I just figured that with all the work you put into detailing and weathering the loco, the little copyright thing just got overlooked.  I hope that the copyright thing doesn't appear on other road names, I'd hate to have to go and fix all of them.  Again, excellent job on the loco.

TONY

"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)

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Posted by tatans on Monday, December 21, 2009 12:27 PM

Not being a diesel fan, this is a nice looking engine (remember, all the other diesels look like metal gym lockers) the weathering is slick I mean slick !  the key is moderation, very hard to tell this is not a real locomotive, a goofy question - -  are these locos only used for passenger trains? like the e-8's, what would be the difference in a locomotive that was specifically designed for passenger service as opposed to freight? ? I would think horsepower, what else???

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 21, 2009 12:42 PM

tatans
a goofy question - -  are these locos only used for passenger trains? like the e-8's, what would be the difference in a locomotive that was specifically designed for passenger service as opposed to freight? ? I would think horsepower, what else???

 

Amtrak hauls no freight... And yes, only passenger railroads operate this locomotive.

The biggest differances between freight and passenger locomotives is the gear ratio (torque VS speed), top allowed speed, and the presence of an Head End Power (HEP) electric generator. Some older units (notably the older F40PH units - they were called "screamers" for a reason!) pulled the HEP power from the main diesel locomotive, but even that required seperate ports and fittings to do so. Back when trains were steam heated, diesels had steam generators instead of HEP generators.

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Posted by ho modern modeler on Monday, December 21, 2009 4:22 PM

Nice work, I also own a "gaggle" of these engines in 6 roadnames because I like them so much. My only Brass Engine (so far) is a Surfliner, missed out on the cars though. USP's cars can be made into nice models and the new ones will apparently include interiors.

Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!

 

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Posted by MRH044 on Monday, December 21, 2009 6:22 PM

duckdogger

 I like it.  Looks well used but also well maintained.  Gives the impression it is no stranger to a car wash rack.

What did you use - powders, chalk, gouache, washes?

Thanks, that was my goal for the weathered look.

I did not use an airbrush on this one, I probably should have for the black on the roof, but I was experimenting on weathering without one. Wearing latex gloves, I used powders (AIM Medium Earth, Grimy Black, and Medium Rust) and then sealed them with dullcoat. I used black to outline doors and hinges as well as on the roof. The rust was for the ball bearing caps and brown on the fuel tank and trucks. While the dullcoat was sticky, I applied heavy black on the roof and the powder just stuck to the surface.

http://www.haworthengineering.com/

~Excellency in the Details ~

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Posted by MRH044 on Monday, December 21, 2009 6:38 PM

Southwest Chief:  I had a great picture that I found on railpictures.net that showed units 463 and 450 roofs quite clearly. As for the ATS shoe, I went down to the Metrolink station to see where the wire ran because I couldn't find a picture that showed the cable clearly. Unfortunately, each of Metrolink's ATS shoe cables were different. A friend of mine pulled through when he saw the Amtrak engine in Fullerton. Thanks for catching that detail!

tatans: Glad you liked the weathering!

ho modern modeler:  Is that the Overland Brass F59PHI? How are the details on it because I have never seen one, and couldn't find a clear picture of one on the net to save my life. Union Station Products has the surfliner cars available now. In my opinion, paying $114.95 for a coach and $129.95 for the cab car is expensive. You still have to supply paint, wheels, couplers, grab irons, and the horn for the cab car. (plus lights and people if you want)

http://www.haworthengineering.com/

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Posted by zgardner18 on Monday, December 21, 2009 11:11 PM

MRH044

ho modern modeler:  Is that the Overland Brass F59PHI? How are the details on it because I have never seen one, and couldn't find a clear picture of one on the net to save my life. Union Station Products has the surfliner cars available now. In my opinion, paying $114.95 for a coach and $129.95 for the cab car is expensive. You still have to supply paint, wheels, couplers, grab irons, and the horn for the cab car. (plus lights and people if you want)

Nice looking unit.  When can you do mine?

Walthers is coming out with the Surfliner cars here real soon.  I hope they do them right with the double doors. 

I don't model Amtrak due to it not going through the MRL but I'm a SoCal boy who grew up surfing next to the Del Mar station.  I will have the Surfliner: I've got the engine now I just need the cars.  I already have my San Diego Coaster and Metrolink trains

--Zak Gardner

My Layout Blog:  http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com

http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net

VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

 

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Posted by alfadawg01 on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 10:13 AM

zgardner18
Walthers is coming out with the Surfliner cars here real soon.  I hope they do them right with the double doors. 

The "Surfliner" cars that Walthers is making are NOT the "California cars" with the two entry points on each side.  They are Superliners that are being temporarily repainted for Surfliner duty.....at least they are prototypical if not a new unique model.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-16166

 

Bill

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Posted by alfadawg01 on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 10:20 AM

MRH044
I thought I would share my upgraded Athearn HO F59PHI with you all. I couldn’t find any pictures of detailed F59PHI models, so I thought I would post some pictures of what I did. This was just a fun little project for me as I usually stick to working with G scale.
I

Very nice work on an overlooked and underappreciated locomotive.  You might want to post your photos on the Diesel Detailer website....they're always a good audience for the type of fine work that you do.  Here's the link:

http://www.dieseldetailer.proboards.com/index.cgi

 

Bill

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Posted by ho modern modeler on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:13 AM

MRH044-first 4 are my OMI, last one is my 2 Athearn (also have 2 NW scheme and 1 Cali) which I added some details, but not to the extent you did, enjoy. Apologies for doubles, forum won't save my HTML edits for some reason.

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Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!

 

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Posted by zgardner18 on Thursday, December 24, 2009 9:49 AM

alfadawg01

zgardner18
Walthers is coming out with the Surfliner cars here real soon.  I hope they do them right with the double doors. 

The "Surfliner" cars that Walthers is making are NOT the "California cars" with the two entry points on each side.  They are Superliners that are being temporarily repainted for Surfliner duty.....at least they are prototypical if not a new unique model.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-16166

Yeah, I figured that when I saw the photos.  Still, I'll be picking up some anyway 'cause I'm not a rivit counter and as long as they are close then that good enough for me.

--Zak Gardner

My Layout Blog:  http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com

http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net

VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

 

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Posted by MRH044 on Thursday, December 24, 2009 5:37 PM

Thanks for posting the pictures of the OMI model! Hopefully Walthers will come out with the right car someday. Maybe they will see how well the leased Superliner will sell before diving into the real deal. Fingers crossed anyway.

http://www.haworthengineering.com/

~Excellency in the Details ~

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