Notes on modeling a C&O F7 in HO using the "classic" Athearn F-unit

What follows arc sonic general notes on modifying that old standby, the Athearn F7-a model now celebrating its 50th birthday-to more closely resemble the C&O's F-units. This is not a complete guide to detailing a C&O F7 model. For a brief discussion of other manufacturers' F-units' suitability as C&O models, see Karen Parkers notes in the March 2004 issue and remember that the Highliner HO shell kit can be used to build any F-unit.

7000-7031 F7A

7500-7515 F7B

Starting with the single-headlight shell, you'll need to remove both the steam generator detail from the rear hatch and the dynamic brake fan. Other changes you might want to make include adding a piece of styrene to divide the forward cab-side window into two separate windows. Laser Kit's (152-228) scale F-unit windshields will improve the engines' appearance dramatically, as the kit includes laser-cut frames to reduce the oversize Athearn windshield openings. This kit (and kit 152-229 designed to glaze the stock Athearn openings) includes frames for the side vent windows, and glazing for front windshields, side, and porthole windows. Detail Associates 229-2704 horizontal air grilles, and Details West F-unit number boards 235-165, and 235-208 and -209 F-unit detail sets will all help bring the Athearn shell closer to current standards.

7032-7096 F7A

7516-7546 F7B

To model these C&O units you'll start with the dual-headlight Athearn shell. Again, the steam generator needs to be removed and here's where things start to get a bit sticky. In addition to the styrene divider strip the cab and side door windows need to have the bottom sill lowered about 2-1/4 inches, and the corners rounded. Fanatics should also make the square window in the rear end door round, and the drip strip over the cab door and windows need to be split with rounded corners over the door. I'll refer you to the table in the March 2004 article to see if you need to change the 36" dynamic brake fan to a 48" version, and remove the roof overhang. On the louvers the only advice I can give is it might be possible to make the 16 vertical louver panels from a piece of Farr air grille after shaving off the horizontal louvers. (Highliner doesn't offer them separately). Again, install both Laser Kits windshield and Details West number boards. All the engines in this group will receive either Detail Associates 229-2701 or Highliner 328-10017 (A-unit) 328-10018 (B-unit) Farr grilles

The C&O F9A

You'll have relocate the forward porthole to the rear and acid an extra set of vertical louvers ahead of it in addition to the changes noted for C&O units 7032-7099. I'd use a Highliner shell to model the F9.

FP7A Notes

Atlas offered two FP7A models-with and without dynamic brakes. You'll have to change the 48" dynamic brake fan, though, and add a Details West 235-163 winterization hatch. The Atlas/Roco shell has vertical louvers, so to model C&O Nos. 8000-8003 you'll have to cover them with Gary's embossed foil EMD louvers.

Additional Notes

American Limited makes a kit for operating diaphragms to bridge the "gap" between coupled engines.

If you're using the Highliner shell, or want to upgrade the stock Athearn drive, look at the drives offered by Inter-Mountain, Proto-Power West, and, for a "blast from the past," Hobbytown.

Copyright Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, Inc. Apr 2004
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