In-progress photo showing details added to the stock Athearn models. By: Joe Atkinson
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Molded-on factory fuel tank details were removed with a Dremel tool and replaced with parts from a Cannon fuel tank detail set. No frame or shell modifications were necessary for the Athearn model to accept the Kato motor. By: Joe Atkinson
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Athearn trucks (modified to lower the frame as described at http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58609 ) and Kato motor in place, using the stock Athearn driveshafts. The Kato motor simply screws into the Athearn fuel tank, and the mounting holes align perfectly. This also shows the decoder and speaker installation, both of which were very easy.
As a result of the test-fit of the shell, after this photo was taken I unscrewed the decoder, removed about 3/32" off the height of each of the motor mount "towers" that it screws into, and replaced the decoder. Once this was done, the motor, decoder, and speaker fit perfectly inside the Athearn shell with no other modifications. By: Joe Atkinson
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BEFORE: Stock Athearn unit, conductor's side By: Joe Atkinson
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AFTER: Upgraded and renumbered Athearn units with lowered frame, body-mounted couplers, enclosed pilots, added/modified details, Kato motor, Tsunami decoder, RailMaster speaker, narrowed frame stripe, removed class lights, and additional data decals.
Athearn's frame stripes on the 700s were too tall, and I think the simple fix of narrowing them with Microscale's black stripe decals is the single biggest change you can make to improve the appearance of these units. By: Joe Atkinson
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AFTER: Roof shot of upgraded units showing added details and removed engine room roof vent. There aren't a lot of detail differences between the IAIS 700s, but horn type is one common variation. During the Spring 2005 era I model, 703 had a Nathan P-3 and 709 had a Leslie RS5T. Fortunately, SoundTraxx offers both as air horn selections with their Tsunami decoder, so programming them was simply a matter of setting CV115 to "5" (RS5T) or "11" (P-3).
I'm not sure why, but 709 also features four additional lift rings on the outer edges of the DB blisters.
Athearn's SmartStart warning labels were very difficult to see, and the SmartStart logos and most other informational decals on the long hood doors were missing entirely. Those were added to the models using the updated Microscale set #87-551 for IAIS diesels. Unfortunately, due to a Microscale mistake in the most recent updates, you need multiple sets to decal a single unit. By: Joe Atkinson
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Engineer's side of reworked units.
Details added include:
- American Model Builders #230 flush-fit windows
- Cannon #1704 radiator fans (used only for IAIS 709's #2 radiator fan)
- Cannon #1853 dynamic brake fans. Used for DB fan on both units, both radiator fans on 703, and #1 radiator fan on 709. Shorter DB fans were used in some radiator positions to simulate the prototype's low-profile radiator fans.
- Cannon #2001 safety tread and step kit
- Cannon #2156 fuel tank detail set
- Detail Associates #1901 round air vents
- Detail Associates #2205 coupler lift bars
- Detail Associates #2206 eye bolts
- Detail Associates #2314 windshield wipers
- Details West #139 air filter set
- Details West #175 Nathan P-3 horn (703 only)
- Details West #196 spare coupler knuckles and bracket
- Details West #219 MU cable
- Details West #229 ditch lights
- Details West #267 air hose w/bracket
- Details West #294 MU hoses
- Details West #327 Leslie RS5T horn (709 only)
- Details West #342 snow plow (709 only)
- Proto2000 GP38-2 plow (703 only)
- Proto2000 Sinclair antenna
- Hi-Tech Details #6009 waste fluid recovery tank - angled
- Tichy #3015 grab irons (for cab number board positions)
Models also received the following:
- Kato #956010 motors w/4-hole mount
- Miniatronics #18-014-10 14v bulbs
- NWSL #10002-9 30g wire
- RailMaster #DS1635-8 speakers
- Tsunami TSU-AT1000 #828048 EMD 645 non-turbo decoders
Paint touch-ups were done using Floquil Reefer Yellow and Red, Scalecoat 2 Black, and a mix of Floquil Rail Brown and Boxcar Red for the wheels and couplers. Warning labels, SmartStart decals, and new cab stripes and unit numbers were from Microscale #87-551, while black sill stripes were from Microscale #87-214-2. Gloss finish on vertical surfaces was done using Future floor finish. By: Joe Atkinson
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In-progress photo showing details added to the stock Athearn models.
Front pilot and cab details added.
Molded-on factory fuel tank details were removed with a Dremel tool and replaced with parts from a Cannon fuel tank detail set. No frame or shell modifications were necessary for the Athearn model to accept the Kato motor.
Athearn trucks (modified to lower the frame as described at http://forum.atlasrr.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=58609 ) and Kato motor in place, using the stock Athearn driveshafts. The Kato motor simply screws into the Athearn fuel tank, and the mounting holes align perfectly. This also shows the decoder and speaker installation, both of which were very easy.
As a result of the test-fit of the shell, after this photo was taken I unscrewed the decoder, removed about 3/32" off the height of each of the motor mount "towers" that it screws into, and replaced the decoder. Once this was done, the motor, decoder, and speaker fit perfectly inside the Athearn shell with no other modifications.
BEFORE: Stock Athearn unit, conductor's side
AFTER: Upgraded and renumbered Athearn units with lowered frame, body-mounted couplers, enclosed pilots, added/modified details, Kato motor, Tsunami decoder, RailMaster speaker, narrowed frame stripe, removed class lights, and additional data decals.
Athearn's frame stripes on the 700s were too tall, and I think the simple fix of narrowing them with Microscale's black stripe decals is the single biggest change you can make to improve the appearance of these units.
BEFORE: Stock Athearn unit, top view
AFTER: Roof shot of upgraded units showing added details and removed engine room roof vent. There aren't a lot of detail differences between the IAIS 700s, but horn type is one common variation. During the Spring 2005 era I model, 703 had a Nathan P-3 and 709 had a Leslie RS5T. Fortunately, SoundTraxx offers both as air horn selections with their Tsunami decoder, so programming them was simply a matter of setting CV115 to "5" (RS5T) or "11" (P-3).
I'm not sure why, but 709 also features four additional lift rings on the outer edges of the DB blisters.
Athearn's SmartStart warning labels were very difficult to see, and the SmartStart logos and most other informational decals on the long hood doors were missing entirely. Those were added to the models using the updated Microscale set #87-551 for IAIS diesels. Unfortunately, due to a Microscale mistake in the most recent updates, you need multiple sets to decal a single unit.
Rear view.
Front view.
Engineer's side of reworked units.
Details added include:
- American Model Builders #230 flush-fit windows
- Cannon #1704 radiator fans (used only for IAIS 709's #2 radiator fan)
- Cannon #1853 dynamic brake fans. Used for DB fan on both units, both radiator fans on 703, and #1 radiator fan on 709. Shorter DB fans were used in some radiator positions to simulate the prototype's low-profile radiator fans.
- Cannon #2001 safety tread and step kit
- Cannon #2156 fuel tank detail set
- Detail Associates #1901 round air vents
- Detail Associates #2205 coupler lift bars
- Detail Associates #2206 eye bolts
- Detail Associates #2314 windshield wipers
- Details West #139 air filter set
- Details West #175 Nathan P-3 horn (703 only)
- Details West #196 spare coupler knuckles and bracket
- Details West #219 MU cable
- Details West #229 ditch lights
- Details West #267 air hose w/bracket
- Details West #294 MU hoses
- Details West #327 Leslie RS5T horn (709 only)
- Details West #342 snow plow (709 only)
- Proto2000 GP38-2 plow (703 only)
- Proto2000 Sinclair antenna
- Hi-Tech Details #6009 waste fluid recovery tank - angled
- Tichy #3015 grab irons (for cab number board positions)
Models also received the following:
- Kato #956010 motors w/4-hole mount
- Miniatronics #18-014-10 14v bulbs
- NWSL #10002-9 30g wire
- RailMaster #DS1635-8 speakers
- Tsunami TSU-AT1000 #828048 EMD 645 non-turbo decoders
Paint touch-ups were done using Floquil Reefer Yellow and Red, Scalecoat 2 Black, and a mix of Floquil Rail Brown and Boxcar Red for the wheels and couplers. Warning labels, SmartStart decals, and new cab stripes and unit numbers were from Microscale #87-551, while black sill stripes were from Microscale #87-214-2. Gloss finish on vertical surfaces was done using Future floor finish.
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