[MOD] 10020 EMD F7 Union Pacific

[sed6]

The EMD F7 was the SD40-2 of its day, the first true "common" diesel locomotive; thousands were built and could be found powering almost any train. When production had ended some 2,366 F7As and 1,483 F7Bs had been produced by 1953 just four years after the locomotive was first cataloged.  According to an article by Don Strack, published in the November/December 1991 issue of "Diesel Era: Volume 2, Number 6" the, "base price on two cab units was $161,000 and the base price for two booster units was $147,500."  This was also the first instance of the Electro-Motive Division's new General Motors Diesel (GMD) subsidiary filling orders. Read more from this article about this historic loco on this site.

 

My model was inspired by the Union Pacific 1471 and 1476B pictured below. It was really the only photo I could find of a UP F7 A/B pair.

 

My initial inspiration came after recently obtaining sets 10020, the Santa Fe Super Chief, and 10022, one each of the dining, sleeping and observation cars. I can see why they are so coveted, each is beautiful!I set about to modify 10020 in several ways to make it look better. I decided on the UP scheme because my dad left me his LGB scale UP loco when he passed (just like his LGB BNSF that inspired this build, here).

 

I modified the sides and doors to more closely resemble the F7a and F7b units (which I'm presuming the 10020 was based on). While the windows are not round (yet) the vents between them, the doors, the grab rails, plus the square sand fill doors are all details I tried to capture more accurately than set 10020 did. Plus the battery box and fuel tank underneath look better.

 

 

I decided to add twin train motors to the a-unit to propel it because my trains are heavy, my curves are tight and one motor just doesn't have the traction necessary (power yes, traction no). The PF receiver blends in nicely on the rear and the middle fan on top acts as a power switch. Seven of my eight locos have a concealed power "button" accessible from the outside, the Super Chief being my only one I have to remove the top on.

 

Speaking of consistency between locos, my BNSF and CSX have a distinct side window look with the two vertical tiles. I'm considering that same look for my UP. The taped up windows look okay, especially from a few feet away, and while I like the slightly more detailed or scale appearance, the tape looks unfinished and I'm not sure it is necessary.

I also applied minimal detailing on the inside. The b-unit got an engine you can see thru the windows and the a unit got a hint of an engine hidden in amongst the wires.

The lettering and numbering I did myself on my inkjet printer using Testors decal paper. They are applied wet then they dry nice and smooth.

As usual I'll share my LDD file for anyone who wants to examine, build or modify my design. I'll upload that soon.  Here you go. https://bricksafe.com/pages/sed6

Hope you like!

Edit: just realized I didn't print the X1471 decals that go by the headlights for the nose! Also in the pic above the stickers peeling off are actually just static cling stickers, they work well enough but show some bubbles and don't handle tight radius curves like on the nose. The final water-slide decals are applied in all the above pictures, except this one.

 

Edited April 26, 2019 by sed6

[legobanker]

Nice build.  These are 6 wide?  I like the b unit.  I'd definitely be interested in the LDD file. 

[sed6]

19 minutes ago, legobanker said:

Nice build.  These are 6 wide?  I like the b unit.  I'd definitely be interested in the LDD file. 

Thank you. Yes 6 wide, plus the hand rails. I've got the LDD uploaded for you and linked to in my first post.

I welcome anyones comments or criticisms.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Gorgeous B unit (and wonderful A unit too ).

The UP livery is one of my favorites and the detail of the handrails of the SNOT doors is impressive! 

This could be an official lego set without any doubt!

 

 

[sed6]

Glad you all like! Here's an updated shot of the nose with the x1471 decal applied. 

You'll note that the lettering of X1471 and the yellow striping in the flying shield should be white, not yellow. That is a limitation of printing at home, you can't print white. I tried shades of gray but they didn't suit me.

Edited April 28, 2019 by sed6

[rahziel]

Excelent job, loved the rail of the doors that way instead of a bar, great work with the tape in the windshield. :)

[Roadmonkeytj]

On 4/27/2019 at 11:07 PM, sed6 said:

Glad you all like! Here's an updated shot of the nose with the x1471 decal applied. 

You'll note that the lettering of X1471 and the yellow striping in the flying shield should be white, not yellow. That is a limitation of printing at home, you can't print white. I tried shades of gray but they didn't suit me.

Could you swap that brick for white then add a yellow block around the number board to cover it up?

This really does look great though even if its not white ... Unless your a rivet/stud counter!

[Feuer Zug]

Nice work. 6 wide seems under appreciated these days, so to see a classic UP covered wagon in that scale is a pleasant change.

[awamech]

Great Work, Thanks for the LDD file.

[sed6]

On 1/16/2021 at 11:32 AM, awamech said:

Great Work, Thanks for the LDD file.

You are very welcome! Glad my work can be appreciated and replicated by others!