The "Blue Box" Chronicles: The Series? (More of a blog)
Sept 30, 2021 13:45:32 GMT -8
valenciajim, cf7, and 13 more like this
Post by Donnell Wells on Sept 30, 2021 13:45:32 GMT -8
Ever since Brian Banna started posting his work with models of yesteryear, I have been looking deeper into my own modeling interests. This period of self-evaluation has led me to face some difficult and critical truths about the lack of direction in my modeling efforts, and has led to a quest to determine what I actually wanted out of my modeling. My hope is that the answers will help bring some order to my approach at modeling, and help me become more focused in scope. Two primary things that I discovered are that I am much more of a fan of passenger equipment than freight, AND, I have an acute affinity for Athearn “blue box” locomotives. Of course this does not mean that I do not like any of the other newer locomotive types available from Athearn and others, just that I am fascinated with the older Athearn releases, namely the wide-hood variants, i.e. the F7, SW1500/SW7, GP7/9, SD9, DD40, U28/30/33Bs and Cs, and the SDP40. I just like them. Some additional things that I realized are that I cannot model everything (nor do I want to), I really like BN, CNW, and SP, and that I lean more toward 4-axle power than 6-axle. I like switchers and lease units (specifically EMD lease units). I like unit trains, especially covered hoppers. I like Amtrak (from its inception up to phase 3, including the "Pepsi Cans" P32s and early P40/42s), in addition to Chicago-area and California commuter rail lines.
So...six years ago, I published a thread titled, 'The "Blue Box" Chronicles: The F7'. The original intention of this thread was to document the process of enhancing this specific locomotive, which has been a staple in our hobby and is arguably one of the most recognized, and possibly most purchased and utilized locomotives in model railroad history. The Athearn/Globe F7 has been in continuous production since its debut in the 1950s as a Globe Models product, to its current home under the Athearn Roundhouse brand of model railroad products. That said, I am S-L-O-W-L-Y making progress toward finishing one of these models and will ultimately showcase my results here on this forum.
Five years after this initial post, I walked into a LHS (local hobby shop) and saw an Athearn Roundhouse GP40-2 painted in the BNSF 'Smurf' scheme. Not sure of what locomotive this was, I took out my smartphone and did some on-the-spot research. I learned that the actual locomotive they were attempting to portray was designated a GP38-3 (rebuilt from a GP40). Upon comparing the pictures of the prototype to the model, I could see that getting this model to look more accurately like the prototype was going to take a fair amount of work. Even then, it would still be far from accurate, especially from a "purist" modeler’s standpoint, as Athearn started with their GP40-2, a variant of the GP40.
Ultimately, I did purchase the locomotive because of several factors (of which you can read in the aforementioned thread), but most of all because I was up to the challenge of enhancing the looks of this model. Thus, I published the thread titled, ‘The "Blue Box" Chronicles: GP38-2 Kit vs GP40-2 Roundhouse’. Now, it was not my intention to start a series documenting the construction of my Athearn Blue Box modeling projects, but it seems to be migrating in that direction. However, I do like to share progress reports, and really would like to show “what could have been” with many of these particular models!
I recently purchased an undecorated wide-hood GP9 (really a GP7) from a friend, and upon receipt of the engine, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it! I began to carefully look over the model to become more familiar with its shape and lines. Aside from the obvious inaccurate detailing (including the wide hood) for what the box labeled a “GP9”, the two things that stood out as most offensive were the winterization hatch, just aft of the dynamic brake area covering the forward radiator fan, and the fairings (or bulges) surrounding the dynamic brake intake grilles. I am not going to give any details as to how I addressed these areas, you will just have to wait for the next edition of The “Blue Box” Chronicles!
Donnell
So...six years ago, I published a thread titled, 'The "Blue Box" Chronicles: The F7'. The original intention of this thread was to document the process of enhancing this specific locomotive, which has been a staple in our hobby and is arguably one of the most recognized, and possibly most purchased and utilized locomotives in model railroad history. The Athearn/Globe F7 has been in continuous production since its debut in the 1950s as a Globe Models product, to its current home under the Athearn Roundhouse brand of model railroad products. That said, I am S-L-O-W-L-Y making progress toward finishing one of these models and will ultimately showcase my results here on this forum.
Five years after this initial post, I walked into a LHS (local hobby shop) and saw an Athearn Roundhouse GP40-2 painted in the BNSF 'Smurf' scheme. Not sure of what locomotive this was, I took out my smartphone and did some on-the-spot research. I learned that the actual locomotive they were attempting to portray was designated a GP38-3 (rebuilt from a GP40). Upon comparing the pictures of the prototype to the model, I could see that getting this model to look more accurately like the prototype was going to take a fair amount of work. Even then, it would still be far from accurate, especially from a "purist" modeler’s standpoint, as Athearn started with their GP40-2, a variant of the GP40.
Ultimately, I did purchase the locomotive because of several factors (of which you can read in the aforementioned thread), but most of all because I was up to the challenge of enhancing the looks of this model. Thus, I published the thread titled, ‘The "Blue Box" Chronicles: GP38-2 Kit vs GP40-2 Roundhouse’. Now, it was not my intention to start a series documenting the construction of my Athearn Blue Box modeling projects, but it seems to be migrating in that direction. However, I do like to share progress reports, and really would like to show “what could have been” with many of these particular models!
I recently purchased an undecorated wide-hood GP9 (really a GP7) from a friend, and upon receipt of the engine, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it! I began to carefully look over the model to become more familiar with its shape and lines. Aside from the obvious inaccurate detailing (including the wide hood) for what the box labeled a “GP9”, the two things that stood out as most offensive were the winterization hatch, just aft of the dynamic brake area covering the forward radiator fan, and the fairings (or bulges) surrounding the dynamic brake intake grilles. I am not going to give any details as to how I addressed these areas, you will just have to wait for the next edition of The “Blue Box” Chronicles!
Donnell
