hello big A
I had spent the day fixing the links to webshots and now they are not showing
But I did put links to them too just in case
if you look at the last shot you can see the cast hanging out
its like that on both ends
I’m looking at the rail page thanks that just saved me time looking for that
it looks like that part is black on the proto type
checking it out now
yes I did solder all of them from the back
I had to take one of them back off. as the solder came out to the front
I guess I may be going slow, its so hard to find parts for this type locomotive
and did I say thanks for your info, and links to the prototype, that helped so much
It’s a smart idea to taking your time on this beauty. You stated before about the missing body panel. Have you decided if you’re going to scratchbuild it out of styrene or brass?
A suggestion:
You may be able to find a high school or Vocational/Technical school with a machine shop course program that for a small fee can fabricate that panel for you out of a thin pliable steel or brass.
its a toss up with this one I never seen a model in this configuration
and its hard to say I think with the correct size and carful placement
some drilled and taped sections there would work quite well
its a lot of work as all parts have to be recreated 4 times
once for each corner, I think I am in over my head
here you can see that the Single arm pantograph needs to be soldered its held on with an alligator clip
here you can see the part thats missing… its next on the list
Here’s a couple of close up shots showing the two different ends of the AEM 7. You’ve probably seen a few already as there are loads of photos of these:
Those are basically sheet metal valance panels or “beauty covers”. Looks like something that can be fabricated using the photos on railpictures.net as a reference.
Just my opinion, but to help get you started look at the first photo above:
The “wedge” or part that angles in downward, plus the triangular shaped end sections on the sides can be fabricated from one piece of brass. Note the grab irons on the wedge in both photos.
The narrow vertical section on the front above the wedge, that tucks in below the cab can be fabricated separately from a thin strip.
The two sections can be then glued (or carefully soldered) together to form the one piece.
Note:
Another option to brass or steel. Thin, transparent Lexan is available at some home stores. Easy to cut with a dremel cutting wheel. Also easy to shape.
Unknown to some, Lexan will also gently bend when heated with a heat gun or a hot blow dryer. Rounded corners are formed by bending the material when hot around a solid rounded object, like a bolt or tv antenna.
When you get there, go to click on Exclusives & Accesories.
Click on Bricks & Pieces by shape.
Then click on Roof Tiles.
One other thing, also on one of his vehicles, the windshield is almost an exact match! However I don’t see that piece on the lego website. It came in a Lego submarine kit I bought him some years back.
wow it does look like that Steep Sloped brick
thanks for adding
I have been looking for brass parts to add and nothing seems to look good
I must have the only aem-7 that need’s add on’s
thanks for taking time … this is turning in to be my favorite unit
I guess I got the (steam) knocked out of me
I got snipered for a 4-8-2 road 666 last week
man it still stings
well that brass steamer sold for 63 bucks I bid sixty two
oh well not the first and sure not the last
here is a shot of the aem
There are/were a number of locomotive/ship horn manufacturers (Prime, Wabco, Air Chime, etc) but the two most popular with railroads are Leslie and Nathan. Leslie horns were dominant on railroads for years, but Nathan is now on top of the “food chain”. Leslie horns tend to be long and slender. Nathans are shorter in length and have a “stubby” look to them
Here’s Matt Donelly’s website on horns. Very good info with sound samples included:
In a nutshell, Amtrak’s standard horn is the Nathan K5LA which was developed about 25 years ago. Still very popular, it replaced the Nathan P5 series on the F40s and the SL4T’s on the SDP40fs.
Suggestion: If you wish to put sound in it, you can use a Lok Sound decoder. For the prime mover sound there are several Europeon electric locomotive options to choose from which would come close to the AEM 7. Basically, modern electric locomotives sound like oversized refrigerators. For the horn options, just upload the Nathan K5.