Detailing a Stewart F3 for the PRR

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey all, new here, got a question.

I’ve just found a Kato-drive Stewart F3a for $20 at an antique shop, painted PRR, which is what I model. Only catch is, it’s unnumbered, no box, no grab irons, no nothin’.

Now, I’m no newbie, I’ve built and detailed hundreds of freight cars while waiting until life gives me the opportunity to have the space to build a layout with a large yard. And I have plenty of motive power, mostly PRR and Reading diesels, with a handful of PRR steam. But all my locos so far are either RTR or built and detailed by the last owner. I’ve never actually superdetailed a single diesel before and this is where I’m going to have to start.

The Stewart F3 with the flat-top fans is a phase 2b unit, of which the PRR had 6, their first F-units. I’m looking to model class unit #9500A because, well, why not. Looking at a photo and at my model, I’ll need to number it and add grab irons and trainphone antennas. But it also has incorrect numberboards (the large angled kind instead of the smaller, streamlined ones) and worst of all, the wrong pilot.

So I thought I should ask a community of people where there must be someone who knows more than I do: Who makes an appropriate decal set? Is there any sort of kit for trainphone antenna stanchions or am I going to have to make my own? I’ve heard something about a “diesel dress-up kit”, will this provide the necessary F-unit grabirons? And has anyone any advice for turning this pilot:

http://web4.hobbylinc.com/gr/swh/swh5218_285.jpg

into this one?

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/motiveops/images/f3_phII_early.jpg

Apologies if I’m in the wrong subforum, stepping on toes, or doing anything wrong. I just got here and have yet to look around. Thanks all for any advice you might have!

2

Well, while it will cost you a few bucks, you will be able to obtain almost everything you need to complete the conversion.

Detail Associates, Cal Scale Kadee etc all offer(ed) appropriate parts to detail these locomotives. (Bowser still makes the Stewart line under the Bowser brand). Start there first.

When the Stewart Fs first came out, they were state of the art, powered by Kato motors, and attracted numerous after market detail suppliers.

Have fun and good luck.

3

I’m not sure but you may have to carve off the door handrails before adding new wire ones. I would recommend phosphor bronze wire over brass, available from Tichey. Another source for parts is Details West. They, DW, have their own illustrated catalog http://www.detailswest.com/ but you have to order their parts thru Walters or another hobby shop. The same is true for Detail Associates.

4

I would check Cal-Scale first, they have the trainphone antenna arms and a lot off PRR specific detail parts for diesels. Fill in parts from DW and DA as needed. I believe DA makes the Passenger Pilot you need to replace the freight pilot on the F7. You will also need .20 brass or phospher-bronze wire for the antennas, if you use anything smaller it will bend to easily and look bad (ask me how I know).

Good Luck

Rick J

5

You can also use Athearn handrail stantions for the antennae.

6

Hi, GG1

Here is a little clearer photo of your 9500

http://godfatherrails.com/photos/pv.asp?pid=1093

This is a great website featuring many photos taken by John Dziobko and makes a great reference source since so many photos are in color.

I went there looking to see if any of the PRR F-3s had the modified “standoff” numberboards that were applied to the E-7s to replace the small side boards.

I thought this would be a solution to your numberboard problem since you could sand off the EMD large boards and apply ones like this over top of the original.

http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/dd/HO%20Cal%20Scale/11009947/Cal%20Scale%20HO%20PRR%20E%20%26%20F%20UNIT%20%23%20BOARDS%20(2%20PCS)

Bowser does have the Cal-Scale small side type boards as your F-3 came delivered with…

http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/dd/HO%20Cal%20Scale/11009921/Cal%20Scale%20HO%20NUMBER%20BOARDS_%20F-UNIT%20PAIR

I can not seem to find any photos of F-3s modified like the E-7s were. I don’t have access to all my PRR reference books at the moment. An example of the type of numberboard is here:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/prr/prr5870a.jpg

I just thought a pair of the “standoff” type numberboards that seemed to be unique to the Pennsy would make a neat feature to your project.

Here’s a link to the Cal-Scale Trainphone antenna:

http://www.bowserorders.com/.sc/ms/dd/HO%20Cal%20Scale/1

7

Detail Associates.#701 will provide most of the grab irons you’ll need. The the best of my knowledge the “Stand out” number boards were applied to EMD E units and not F units.

Dick Haave

8

That’s the conclusion that I have come to as well.

Thanks, Ed

9

None of the above!

Welcome to the forums, and we look forward to your further contributions.

[#welcome]

Please keep us posted on your progress with the F3A!

Dave

10

GG1_4800,

[#welcome] To The Forums.

It appears You have enough info on the grabs etc.,if You have broad curves on Your layout, You might want to look at Kadee’s close coupling conversion kit especially designed for Stewart F’s. I say broad curves, because they are pretty close for A,B coupling.

Take Care! [:D]

Frank

11

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Over the years I’ve detailed about 24 of the Stewart F units - FTs, F3s, and F7s. I’ve sold most but retained two ABBA sets.

They are terrific runners and perfect for detailing. For mine, I installed American Limited diaghprams (spell?), and the KaDee specialized coupler set-ups. As my smallest mainline curve is 26 inches, one unit has a longer shank coupler than provided by KaDee to make the curve with ease.

As others have noted, all the detail parts are pretty much readily available. The end result should definitely be a “keeper” and you will ENJOY!

Mobilman44

12

The small number boards were applied to early E’s and early F’s. Some early F3’s got them, but late F3’s had the big boxy ones. I think the early E7’s had small ones, while late E7’s had boxy ones. Some roads, like B&O, retrofitted their E6’s with boxy number boards (and grilles on the upper flanks, too!). I think all E8’s and E9’s used flush number boards, but I’m prepared to be corrected if there are any exceptions.

The same is true of Alco FA’s and PA’s: Little ones early; big ones in later production.

Tom