Jim Stapleton wrote:
>During the years that the F7 Warbonnets were used in passenger
>service, a majority of them were well maintained.
I've no doubt of that, Jim.
Also, I'm not disputing the fact that these passenger units' side
panels were indeed stainless steel, and were "polished" to some
degree. The issue is: Were they polished to a MIRROR finish? Could you
read the schedule on the depot wall in #37's sides? Could the crew use
the sides to check their grooming just before climbing into the cab?
My 1/64 scale crew could in their SHS F7. (Don't think I don't check.)
I'm told by some that unit #37 was so finished. I'm sceptical because
I've seen lots of "polished" SS, including some very shiny SS tank
trucks, photos of very clean, very new WB F7s, and a real AB pair up
close. Some of these were polished finely enough to make out a vague
image in the reflection, but never so fine as the mirrored sides of
SHS's Warbonnets.
Nevertheless, I've been "gently admonished" to point out that I never
actually saw unit #37 when it was brand new, so I can't say
AUTHORITATIVELY how fine 37's finish was when new, or that
SHS's WB finish is inaccurate for unit #37. Certainly she was kept
clean, but how well polished did those panels remain after being
scrubbed a few times? I suppose I could take some 1/64 scale steel
wool to my own WB F7 (yes, I do own one), just to dull it a little.
I certainly didn't mean to discredit the fine points of SHS's WB F7
rendering. There ARE many fine points. As I say, I own one. I'd LIKE
to own a B unit, BUT...
That brings us to the issue I was probing. Suppose, for discussion,
that #37's sides, when fresh, were actually as polished as rendered by
SHS's F7s. Even if #37 did carry an optical grade finish, was it wise
to produce the replicas with such reflectivity? I've been advised by
certain knowledgeable folks that it isn't likely that SHS will issue
more ATSF passenger B units because that chrome coating is expensive
and problem-prone to produce. I can't help thinking it might have been
wiser to render them in a finish that is not only easier and cheaper
to do, but better represents the appearance of the MAJORITY of ATSF
red/silver WB F7's, like the ones in a couple of the image links
posted earlier. I'm just sayin'.
And having said that, I'll get off here. This typing is too easy.
Chuck F.
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