Mystery Santa Fe F3 Model

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I recently aquired the following eBay item:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-Kato-F3-A-B-ATSF-Warbonnet-Both-Units-Powered-Road-17-/131223086628

It is a Santa Fe AB F3 set in early phase 2 delivery, characterized by high fans, chicken wire on the top third of the sides of both units, and chicken wire between the portholes on the A unit. It is a truly beautiful model. To my knowledge, this specific version was never poduced commercially, at least not in “plastic”. The seller labeled it as KATO. While the drive train is certainly made by KATO, I do not think that KATO ever made an HO F3 shell, and the model is clearly much too detailed to be a Stewart/Bowser shell (even after extensive modifications). There are a few inaccuracies that suggest to me that painting and decaling of these units was a (semi-)professional job, but not by somebody who is familiar with the Santa Fe; e.g., the name of the service yard, ARGENTINE in this case (as given on the A unit), was not added to the real A units until the 60s or 70s. A side-by-side comparison makes it very unlikely that the shells were based on the Highliner shells. There are also lots of differences when compared to an Intermountain shell. Thus, the origins of the actual shell(s) is a true mystery. Any suggestions?

2

I’ve checked the photos very carefully, and despite the amount of detail, it is definitely a Stewart shell. Every molding line, the depth of the grills, the shape of the windshields, the window glazing, and many other small things are consistent only with Stewart’s F3 body. The biggest modification I see is the pilot, which could have been filed and sanded out, or possibly replaced. With some work, these do make some very nicely detailed units!

3

And the Stewart F-3s did come with a Kato drive.

4

Thank you very much for the information. Somebody must have really spent some time to make the Stewart shell look this good.

Joachim

5

Very nice units, a great find for some exquisitly detailed F3s. The shells may not be Highliner, but they will most likely be your best running F units.