I’m interested in replacing the grilles in multiple USA Trains F3 A/B units with custom fabricated Stainless Steel grilles emulating FARR grilles used to update the F3’s and as delivered on F7’s.
I have already created CAD drawings and submitted requests for quotes from several photo etching and or machining vendors in the USA.
The grilles are made from pre-etched Matt finished 316 annealed stainless with tabs as the OEM counterpart, but are a few thousandths shorter than their brethren to allow for heat cycling.
Cost is a little lofty IMO, but affordable if one is interested in accurately representing the Farr grilles.
Both A and B unit grilles will be produced, as they are distinctly different in length and vertical support count and spacing.
Cost is approximately $22.00 per grille….. Each engine will require two grilles…. This price is good for an order of 105 grilles of each version! So I’d have enough for approximately fifty “A” and fifty “B” units. I’m going to use at least twelve pair of each grille type for my Southern Pacific fleet of F3’s; some to be modeled as F7’s, several additional pairs are spoken for. I’m going to need to sale another thirty pair or so to make this happen!
To that end I have also requested quotes from additional companies. Perhaps one vendor is much hungrier than the other. I may also look for quotes from overseas entities.
So, if you have interest please share your thoughts.
Kind Regards
Michael Glavin
I have already created CAD drawings and submitted requests for quotes from several photo etching and or machining vendors in the USA.
The grilles are made from pre-etched Matt finished 316 annealed stainless with tabs as the OEM counterpart, but are a few thousandths shorter than their brethren to allow for heat cycling.
Cost is a little lofty IMO, but affordable if one is interested in accurately representing the Farr grilles.
Both A and B unit grilles will be produced, as they are distinctly different in length and vertical support count and spacing.
Cost is approximately $22.00 per grille….. Each engine will require two grilles…. This price is good for an order of 105 grilles of each version! So I’d have enough for approximately fifty “A” and fifty “B” units. I’m going to use at least twelve pair of each grille type for my Southern Pacific fleet of F3’s; some to be modeled as F7’s, several additional pairs are spoken for. I’m going to need to sale another thirty pair or so to make this happen!
To that end I have also requested quotes from additional companies. Perhaps one vendor is much hungrier than the other. I may also look for quotes from overseas entities.
So, if you have interest please share your thoughts.
Kind Regards
Michael Glavin
