(erielack) Layoff the F7 phases already

["MDelvec952_@_aol.com"]

In a message dated 5/8/99 5:41:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
"paultup_@_interactive.net" writes:

> As for the phases, I'm not too sure about the F7 "phases" (I believe there
>  were only two). 

There were numerous variations in F7s.

F7 production spanned 1948 - 1953
cab doors went from square to rounded corners late in 1950
side grills pattern changed in November 1951
rear overhang was eliminated November 1951, best I can tell
Carbody louvers between portholes changed November 1951
Carbody louvers changed again February 1952
36-inch d/b fans went to 48-inch fans in August 1952
windshields went from inside mounted to grommet mounted sometime 1952-ish 
(still trying to nail this down, with photos).
headlights-in-the-door were optional
units with steam generators had a water filler above the fuel tank

Making life easy is the fact that the Lackawanna F7s were all built in July 
1949, with dynamic brakes.  The 611 set were the only ABAs, the rest were A-B 
sets.

The first Intermountain Fs are late production units, and not good for the 
DL&W.

I don't know what the first version of the Athearn's are going to be, but I 
would recommend buying the shells directly from Highliner for the highest 
quality.  Part of Lubliner's deal is something like 10,000 shells to be made 
before Athearn modifies the tooling to add big holes for its big handrails 
and other details.  The Highliner units will not have the oversize holes, but 
they won't be painted and won't have drives, either.

                       ....Mike Del Vecchio


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