Model Railroading > CSX F units

What would be a good model to use for the A&B units.

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It depends on what time period you want to model. CSX originally had four F units - 116 (F3A), 117 (F7B), 118 (FP7), and 119 (F7B). These four all appeared in the Seaboard System, CSX-S (blue and gray scheme), and Bright Future during their lives. When the 100-series CW44ACs showed up in the mid-'90s, the two remaining F units, 117 and 118, were renumbered to 417 and 418 shortly before they were sold off to the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad.

You can see some photos here (note that 116 is incorrectly listed as an F7A, maybe because it was considered that after being rebuilt):

http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/model_Funits.htm

and lots of photos here:

CSX 116:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=11736

CSX 117:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=100912

CSX 118:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=29390

CSX 119:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/locoPicture.aspx?id=73235

If I was modeling them (which I'd like to eventually), I'd use Athearn Genesis models, but you'd need to modernize them (i.e. no side skirts). Since Athearn is not currently offering their modernized F unit chassis separately (the one with the fuel tank and other details visible when the skirts are removed), I would probably try to find affordable decorated models with the modernized features and strip the paint. One additional complication is that all their portholes have been blanked out, so you'd need to fill those too.

I'm hoping that Athearn will eventually offer the full A-B-B-A set factory painted in their Genesis line, but I think they may feel that with only four F units, the CSX scheme isn't worth the investment. Couldn't hurt to send them an email and suggest it though.

Hope that helps a little,

Dave



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/12 00:23 by drolsen.

Thanks for the info.

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