decent but inexpensive F-3 shell?

[CNR Glen]

In my horse trading of engines and projects I've ended up with a brand new Bachmann Plus F unit chassis. I was wanting to make a phase 2 F-3 engine but I don't know who would have decent shell thats reasonably priced. I'd love to give a highliners shell a try but the costs are prohibitive for this project. I know Cary makes a metal shell but I haven't worked with one of those and I don't know if it comes with window glass or if the metal can be drilled through easily for detail mounting.
Any thoughts?

 

[bnsf971]

The Carey shell is basically the body, and you add all the detail parts. They are relatively easy to drill,as long as you have a drill. It's tougher than plastic (duh!), but a lot easier than, say, steel.

 

[kbkchooch]

One thing to consider 1st, is how your going to mount the body on the chassis.
The Bachmann chassis is held to the shell by 2 offset screws. Nobody else uses the same method. So count on fabricating mounts.
The Cary body, being metal may be too thick to fit. If you really want the Cary shell, a BB Athearn chassis might work better.

 

[CNR Glen]

I'm not dead set on the Cary shell. I'm just looking for a decent phase 1 or 2 F-3 shell. The bachmann pluss chassis that I'm working with must be a different run because it has side body slots and tabs that secure it to the chassis.
I bought a powered Bachmann plus F-7b to match the A I currently have in the paint shops. I found that the B shell fits on an Athearn F-7 chassis so I swaped the shell bu now I have the chassis from the B left over.

 

[Riverrat]

I think all Carys were designed for Athearn drives. And, hes correct, that they come with VERY little supplied detail parts. POSSIBLY optional winterization hatch(I know my GP9 still in its box came with one), MAYBE horns... but thats about it. I've got a Cary FTA and F3A, that I'm keeping, but sort of misplaced the F3 while cleaning.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Todd, the Cary shells could also be gotten for Hobbytown chassis. I have a Cary FTA shell set up for a Hobbytown mount. With this shell on the Hobbytown chassis, it will pull studs out of the walls.

 

[CNR Glen]

I may look for a proto1000 shell to start with since it may be an easier starting point.

 

[Espeefan]

I would look for a Stewart F-3 shell. The Cary shell weighs a ton, but is very lacking in detail.

 

[CNR Glen]

Okay then I'll keep my eyes open for either a proto1000 or Stewart F-3 shell/ body. Thanks for the help

 

[Riverrat]

Aww, I had remembered I had seen some Intermountain F shells, and just found them in a box right under my desk. BUT, they are all F7s. Sorry, I tried.

 

[CNR Glen]

That's too bad. I have a certain decal scheme that I want to try and it was only applied to early CN F-3's