Frisco E Unit Questions

Okay, so I've purchased a Life Like P2K Frisco E8 #2020 "Big Red".

I originally thought I would model it in the "Meteorite" scheme on account of I'm modeling 1964, and that's the scheme the 2020 was in at the time.

HOWEVER...

I'm really taking a liking to this unit:


http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...-Tennessee-on-September-18-1965-Al-Chione.jpg


Note according to the date on this next photo, and according to the evidence of above, the #2016 "Citation" unit apparently never received the white pinstripes:


http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...ation-at-Springfield-Missouri-in-May-1963.jpg


What I'm wondering...

Do any of you know if the Microscale #87-455 set has the needed decals to do that unit?

You input would be much appreciated.

Andre

 

I believe it does. I (re)painted a couple of E-units into the second livery, and I'm sure that's the set I used. I say that because I don't think there was ever another set available from another supplier.

GS

 

Once upon a time, all the E-units were eventually painted with metallic chrome, read bronze gold, and white stripes.

Two examples of the 2016:
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/frisco/friscoline/images/photos/p00881.jpg
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/frisco/friscoline/images/photos/p01717.jpg


Into the later ’50’s, the Frisco ceased to maintain the white border stripe, and several of the units appeared back into the metallic chrome livery or as a mix of both:
http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...010-Count-Fleet-date-and-location-unknown.jpg Mixed stripes
http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...uis-Missouri-in-April-1961-Paul-Morrissey.jpg All metallic chrome

Some of the units were subjected to a mix of metallic chrome and yellow gold:
http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...at-St.-Louis-Missouri-on-February-28-1959.jpg Metallic chrome stripes, no white, with yellow gold lettering
FR177.jpg. metallic chrome and yellow stripes
index.php metallic chrome and yellow gold lettering

Eventually most of the units received the all yellow gold stripes and lettering, and a few received the infamous cigar band livery. I need to look further, but there are a couple of the E-units that have a horrible mix of metallic chrome and yellow gold. I know that we all love the Frisco redbird livery, but some them looked positively putrid.

 

Hi Greg!

Thanks for your input.

I hope you're correct. Here's the set in question:



From what I can tell with that somewhat poor photo... both the yellow stripes and gold stripes are on the set. Whether or not all names are in either color I can't tell. Also, I can't ascertain the treatment of the side numbers.

It could be that I will not have the option of modeling the 2016 Citation with gold sans white pinstripe and gold name.

In that case, I'll guess I would need to stay with the yellow lettering/stripes and model a unit with a matching yellow name.

We shall see!

Andre

 

Hi Karl!

Thanks for chiming in!

Thanks for the pic links, too.

I've found a supplier for the all-gold Herald King set, and I may purchase a couple so I'll have as many bases covered as possible.

I really like this pic of the tatty 2016 Citation... but you know me and weathering.




'NUTHER QUESTION...

Did the Frisco E's have these end ladder grabs?




Andre

 

I have used these on an old Model Power E-8

 

Thanks Karl.

I have 2 each of the L-463-1 and L-464-1 on order.

I also have a set of the Microscale 97-455 that is coming with the #2020 E8 I purchased.

Seeing as I model autumn of 1964, and seeing as #2020 "Big Red", as modeled by P2K, is in the "Full Meteor" scheme, looks like whatever number of E8 I choose to model, I'll be repainting. (From the pics I have, as best I can tell, it appears the 2020 was repainted into the "Meteorite" scheme in the late 1950s.)

Andre

 

Found enough evidence to answer my question about the ladders on the rear...



SO... the end ladders will need to be shaved off, the nubs sanded/filled/smoothed.

Andre

 

And let's close the book on this "ladders or no ladders" question I hand with conclusive proof of no end ladders on Frisco E's:




Viewing the above reminds me of what a treasure my late friend was to the Frisco community. I sure miss you, Mike. I can still see that wry smile and hear that mischievous chuckle.

Andre

 

That is an absolutely cracking photo.
We are really lucky that people (especially Mike Condren) were taking the time to record ordinary everyday scenes.
I was only 2 weeks old and an ocean and half a continent away when it was taken............

Rob

 

Received my P2K Frisco E8 2020 "Big Red" yesterday evening.

After unboxing and running the frame/mechanism back/forth on a test track... it appears to NOT have split gears! After cleaning the wheels, it runs surprisingly slow and smooth. That's wonderful news. (I can't remember EVER purchasing a vintage P2K product that didn't need gear axles!)

Next is to take it to the workbench, temporarily assemble it, and make sure it is okay with the various radii on my layout. Assuming it passes muster in that respect, it then goes to the shelf to await all the deliveries of optional decal sets I've ordered from hither 'n yon.

When the time comes to start the project, hopefully the jury will have reached a verdict as to which Frisco E8 I will turn it into. You can bet yer sweet bippy that it will be one of the tattier E8's!

All fer now!

 

Yup. I shall do that after I make sure it's okay with the various radii on my layout. If it balks at some of the hidden trackage radii, then it won't earn a place on the roster for my layout. I purchased it to eventually be able to use it on the layout and not a display piece. Fingers crossed all will be okay.

Say, can the top headlight be set up with that red light that I see in pics of prototype Frisco E's? Was the red light most commonly used for when stopped at a station?

 

Andre - I take from your post that it arrived in good condition. Keep me in mind. I would like to see the finished product.
Dave

 

Silly me. Forgot to let you know it arrived safe n' sound. Sorry 'bout that.

Don't worry: Once I start, on it, I'm sure I'll crow about it here at Frisco.org!

It will be a while, though. I still have several projects that are priority.

Andre

 

FWIW:

Apparently there are THREE iterations of Microscale decals designated 87-455. (No confusion there!)

Those of you wanting to decal a Frisco E unit into your preferred Meteor-type livery beware!

Here are the three different versions.

Version 1:



Version 2:




And their current offering:




As these photos indicate, Ver 1 is apparently the gold scheme ONLY.

Version 2 appears to include both yellow AND gold versions.

Version 3 appears to be only the yellow version.

Buyer beware!

I covered my bases by obtaining versions 1 and 2, along with Herald King's versions.

 

Herald King made 2 sets for the factory version of the E8-A's. Set L-463A was the white layer, L-463 was the gold layer. They must have revised them at some time because I used L-463-1 and L-463-A-1 on my engine. See the attached pic of decal packs. I think the current version is what was referred to as "red with yellow cat whiskers." The problem for ya'll is that no one makes the simplified scheme with the nose and side paint like the F units had. But then you know that. According to the HK website the only E unit decals they have are the L-464 DIESEL CAB UNIT: Target Red (1960’s) Yel, Wht & Blue Decal, The pic in the catalog looks like the decals would produce a unit like the current Microscale set.

 

What a frustration trying to obtain E7/8 "Meteorite" (yellow) decals have been.

Received my order of 87-455 that were purchased based on the appearance of the sample jpeg seen in middle decal set above.

It's all gold. No yellow in it.

At this point, it seems the Herald King version is the only game in town. How old these Herald Kings sets are that I have purchased is anyone's guess. I'm hoping they don't fragment upon soaking/retrieving from the water.

Also, doesn't that third decal set (that I labeled "current production") look yellow as can be? That's the sample sheet at Microscale for the current 87-455 they're offering direct from them. Think I ought to take a chance that it really is yellow (as it so obviously appears in the sample photo.)

I may try to email Microscale for an answer. Doubtful I'll receive a response, though.

Wow... sometimes this hobby can be so frustrating.

Andre