Athearn Windshield

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hello,

I have an Athearn HO F7A that looks unfinished without the windshield. Does anyone know of a detailing kit that includes the windshield for these engines?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

2

there never was a windshield made for the F7 by Athearn. However, Walthers used to sell and may still sell what is called a “diesel dress up kit”. It contains the windshield, porthole glass, and all the handrails for the F unit and really does dress it up pretty nicely. If it isn’t still made I would suspect an older hobby shop may still have them in inventory.

3

I used a windshield out of a old life like F9 a and put it into my Athearn F9. works great.
I though that there were no hand rails on the f units???
ShaunCN

4

I managed to get a couple of the diesel dress-up kits last year, so I guess they’re still available. They’re decent kits. I’d suggest that you also change the couplers for the correct Kadees, and maybe consider modifying the coupler mounting pads to move the coupler head closer to the body at the non-cab end. If you’re running more than one F7 you could also consider fitting the Walthers diaphragm kit - intended for passenger cars, but it should make an improvement to the F7 as well. Only snag Is I’ve never found a hobby store that has them over here!

5

I think that many of us make our own, out of thin, clear plastic – e.g. from the packaging on an Atlas turn-out.
I know that I have, with reasonable success – separate pieces for each window, was the key !

6

By “Handrails” we’re referring to the grab rails provided by the doors to allow the train crew to climb in and out. There are also a few handrails on the roof - presumably to hook a special ladder over for cleaning and maintainance?

7

Toward the end of life of cab units the FRA mandated that access to the windshields for cleaning required a ladder or grab irons to be mounted on he car nose for safety reasons. In addition there are grabirons on the corners of the nose for the brakeman to hang on to when switching. there are also one on either side of the nose door, two on the roof over the cab and the long handrails for climbing the ladder to the cab. there also some at the back for those riding the outside of the engine in that location.

8

Wow, that was fast!!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ve considered using thin, clear styrene plastic cut to fit the window areas as a last resort but I’ll try to find the detail kit first.

Thanks Again!

Bob

9

Walthers still offers the kit for 4.98, here’s a link:

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-822

Thanks again!
Bob

10

There are two window sets you can use. Both are from LASER kit. The first is 152-228 PN this is a scale window that you would need to modify the model but works and looks great afterwords. The second is 152-229 this is a semi scale that just fits correct for the not scale athearn windows. Hope this helps P.S. the kits cost cal.5.95 for the scale set and 4.95 for the semi scale.