I have an old Bachmann model of an EMD F9 that I would like to modify for greater accuracy at some point. But one thing I haven't been able to find is a good picture of the top of an F9, so that I can be sure of what all work I need to do on the top of the model.

Hi Brendan,

Most photos are 3/4 front-on from the ground. There are some above shots around the web, just search GP-9 hood, images. You'll have better luck if you conduct railroad-specific searches.

What various railroads adorned the hoods of their GP-9's with was variable, even within a given railroad. You need to have a railroad example to detail the model, as there is no such thing as a generic GP-9.

The Bachmann hood gear is not bad, but could benefit from a bit more detail (this applies to many others as well). Lifting eyebolts, cab roof antenna for the radio, steam generating gear on the short hood if you're planning passenger use, if not omit, a decent horn, a decent bell (which is probably not there), winterization hatch over one air grill (often left on most of the year), hand grabs (plus the grabs you will have to add for the sides as well), couple of torpedoes. I think Bachmann modeled a late, dynamic brake gear GP-9, no bell, generic horn, no eyebolts. no antenna, no hand or foot rails. If it's in CN colors the exhaust stacks are wrong, they should be cylindrical silencers.

Detailing older Bachmann models is often a diminishing returns exercise, the cost when done is often more than a better running model would have cost depending on what you paid for it (a PK2000 for example goes for $40-$60).

Nigel

Nigel, I said F9, not GP9. Bit of a difference there. I've tried searching, for my particular roadname (the Santa Fe) even, but no luck.

Bachmann's F9 (which they no longer make) has some accuracy issues: the cab doors, cab side windows, back door, and sand hatches are those of a first-run F7. And it seems to be missing parts on the roof that were common to all F9s, and which shots taken from the ground don't exactly give a look at.

The cost would be very little, if anything. All it takes to make the grabs is wire  of the same gauge as you'd find in a twist-tie, since the F units didn't use stanchions. The doors and windows would be simple enough to fix with some cutting in some places and filling in others. And I believe I can fabricate the missing roof parts from materials I have on hand… It's just a question of having a reference.

Hi Brendan

Oops. Now I may be able to help, I have a book on EMD E and F units.

Nigel

That's excellent news, Nigel, hope the book pans out! Thanks!

Hi Brendan,

No help I'm afraid. One Sante Fe F9, 3/4 side view from the ground up, with an impressively dented plow pilot.

Add some proper above door hand grabs, get some aftermarket round grills, add some wrecking bolts (eye-bolts), new horns and cabling, radio antenna (nail type?, not sure for the Sante Fe), spark arrestors, grab irons on RHS of nose and nose roof. Depending on what date you want to model, the skirt could be removed as well. Plus roof detail for the steam generating gear if it was used in passenger service (which the SF did).

Details West should have various bit that you could check to see what could be useful. As do Walthers. Check out the Highliners parts and body shells as well.

Early Bachmann F9 models not only had issues with the bodywork and lack  of detail, the mechanisms used are toy train quality (pancake/ringfield or split chassis). Best replaced with something more reliable if you want to keep the body (which I would keep as is, nobody got the shape right, even the latest $250+ offerings are questionable).

Nigel




 

I know that at later dates the skirts were removed, but it's not exactly a good idea to remove them from this model. The notches in the skirts are where the tabs that anchor the shell to the chassis go.

Aftermarket round grilles for where? The roof? That's the only place I've seen round grilles to be on an F9 and as it happens the Bachmann one already has them. They're separately-fitted and open, even.

But there's something else besides an antenna (Wagon wheel or flat type is accurate for the Santa Fe) or spark arrestors or the steam generator detail (It may actually have that, there are a couple of small cylindrical stacks on the back liftout section) that's missing from the roof: The oil pipes that run the length of the roof. Those are a detail particular to the F9 and are the main reason I'm looking for a picture of the roof from above.

The motor is indeed the pancake type, but it still runs and I only had to deal with one split gear despite the model being older than I am and having seen some abuse. The wheels are excellent: Nickel-silver with nickel-silver axles.

Have you tried the Santa Fe Historical Society?
The Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society
They may have something or a link to a resource.
Regards
Andrew

Hi Brendan,

Yes, aftermarket circular grills (and casings where appropriate), much better detail than the clunky Bachmann ones, which are probably off scale. Check S-F records for what diameter you need.

Pancake ringfield motor, that's a golden oldie. Bit of care and they can go forever. They can even have a small can motor put in when the brushes (difficult to find) give up.

Roof piping. You should have said what you were specifically looking for re a photo. See http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2131299 and http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4110249 for a roof-mounted cooling pipe array on an FP9. The big box with the grill is the winterization cover.

Cal-Scale does a long cooling pipe array appropriate for an F9, although a representation is easy enough with soft copper wire  (Michaels, jewellery section). Such piping was typically for the air compressor, not for oil cooling (the internal radiators were more than capable). There would have been a moisture trap between the coil and the air reservoir (internal, for servicing). I believe this was normally a re-positioning from under the body when larger capacity fuel tanks were added (and the side skirts removed).

Nigel

Thank you for the pics. And I asked for a roof photo in case there was anything else it turned out I was missing that my sources hadn't mentioned.

Hi Brendan,

Roof gear depends on several factors - F9 or FP9 (which means a longer body length and some roof-mounted gear from the steam generator tucked inside, and additionally a passenger pilot similar to those on E units), winterization hatches for northern railroads, often left on over the summer in the open position, MARS lights in later years, horn type (railroad specific), bells (or not), spark arrestors (or not), raised or flush ventilator grills, ventilator fan diameter (36" or 42", but to a certain extent depending on dynamic braking or not)….

Check http://www.american-rails.com/images/F9A796878.jpg for a busy Milwaukee Road F-roof with large diameter D/B grill at the front, spark arrestors and passenger steam gear at the rear. And that large coiling coil for the air compressor.

One of those subjects where the devil is in the detail, and often railroad specific (no such thing as a generic F9). Those more knowledgeable in S-F F9 details should put you on the right path.

Nigel