Atlas CF 3560 running boards

[cpr4200]

I found an article here in ARF about detailing the Atlas 3560 Center Flow, but all the photos are missing. 

Question about the roof: apparently the running boards and supports are molded as part of the roof? I started to tear off a section and that's what it looks like. Was able to loosen the roof but couldn't get it off. Maybe no need to?

Edit: I ended up chopping through the supports with flush cutters. Everything came off except for the center part of the running board at each end. Guess that's molded onto the roof. Looks pretty straightforward from here.

[cpr4200]

As usual, when all else fails, read the instructions. Dug out the Plano parts and they explain how to remove the roof. The screws are hidden behind the two outer discharge gates. Verrrry clever.

[drolsen]

I've started three of these, as you can see here. It's pretty straightforward, but it's tedious to remove the middle of the end platforms (partially complete on the undecorated car in this photo). I start by cutting the long side sections away from the supports with an old pair of Xuron rail cutters. After that, I snip off the supports with a curved pair of nail clippers that I keep with my tools. The curved jaws match the contour of the roof very closely, leaving only a little left to shave off with a chisel blade. Then I gradually shave off the molded middle sections at the ends of the roof. Lastly, lots of sanding... There's a mold seam along the inside edge of the side running boards that stands out once you remove the running boards.



You can see that I drilled the holes in the Chessie car's roof for the walkway supports using the Plano template. I got stuck at this point with analysis paralysis. I'm torn about how the thin, etched Plano running boards and supports will contrast with the heavy molded end ladders. You can see I removed the ladders from the undecorated car. The Athearn ACF 2970 model, of which I have several undecorated kits, is a perfect donor for the end ladders, which include nice wire grab irons. I just wasn't sure how many ACF 2970s I'm willing to sacrifice for these 3560s, which weren't that common in the area I model. I'm probably going to use three to finish up these cars.

The trough hatches on the CSX car are shortened Accurail hatches from their ACF 4600. The length came out perfect after removing one hatch, and I think they look good even if the latch detail is a little basic. Half of CSX's former C&O cars were equipped with long hatches like this.

Dave

[cpr4200]

Thanks, Dave. I've finished removing the walkway ends and have to remove the remnants of the original supports. Thought maybe I should leave them to help locate the holes for the new walkway, will have to see how the template compares. The Plano etched parts certainly are a contrast to the molded grabs. Tichy 18" plastic grabs might fit ... looks very close. An ACF end cage part (from the Ramax hopper?) is available from DA or DW. Might investigate using it, but wire grabs would be the ultimate.

In the past few months I've accumulated two FMC's, two original C&O's, and a cream colored CSX. Am stripping one FMC and will probably strip one C&O. They'll be repainted as B&M. Decals will have to be cobbled, but I don't think that'll be difficult.

[drolsen]

Aug 31, 2024 10:11:45 GMT -8 cpr4200 said:

Thanks, Dave. I've finished removing the walkway ends and have to remove the remnants of the original supports. Thought maybe I should leave them to help locate the holes for the new walkway, will have to see how the template compares.

You can see on my Chessie car above that the holes from the template line up almost perfectly with the spots where the supports were removed. I think I had the templates shifted slightly to the left on the roof. That was my mistake, not the fault of the template. Keith does a fantastic job with his Plano products.

The Plano etched parts certainly are a contrast to the molded grabs. Tichy 18" plastic grabs might fit ... looks very close. An ACF end cage part (from the Ramax hopper?) is available from DA or DW. Might investigate using it, but wire grabs would be the ultimate.

The Tichy grabs could work on the side ladders, but the end ladders have drop grabs that stand off from the stiles, which is of course where wire grabs really look good. The Athearn ACF 2970 does a great job of replicating that. I noticed while looking over my Chessie car that I actually drilled holes for the wire grabs in the original molded ladders. I don’t remember doing that, but I had obviously started the process of replacing all the molded grabs.

I can’t recommend the DA end cages because they have molded drop grabs that look almost the same as the original Atlas ladders (maybe slightly finer). You wouldn’t be gaining any advantage in detail after going to the trouble of replacing the ladders.

Dave

[TBird1958]

Some shots of one that I finished, it turns into a pretty nice finished model.

[TBird1958]

Some in process stuff too...........

[cpr4200]

Looks great, Tbird. Any tips on removing the end grabs without breaking anything? I've cut out the side grabs already. Left the "NBW's" on and might try to use .010 styrene rod to replace them. The end ladders will have to be drop grabs. Not looking forward to that. Was thinking of cutting a snug fitting block of wood that would fit into the end cage and support the molding while cutting and drilling.

[TBird1958]

Sept 1, 2024 13:57:59 GMT -8 cpr4200 said:

Looks great, Tbird. Any tips on removing the end grabs without breaking anything? I've cut out the side grabs already. Left the "NBW's" on and might try to use .010 styrene rod to replace them. The end ladders will have to be drop grabs. Not looking forward to that. Was thinking of cutting a snug fitting block of wood that would fit into the end cage and support the molding while cutting and drilling.

 As I recall I used a new #11 type and a Hasegawa 3mm chisel that I kept sharpening. I did use the .010 styrene rod for the straight grabs, I dimpled the drill points about .010 for the wire grabs, not drilling thru the uprights. I re-bent some Tichy drop grabs and cut the ends off very short, dipped them in a little puddle of CA and set them into the dimples.     

[cpr4200]

Good idea not to drill through. Thanks!