Yes, you read that right. Given time enough and love along with the right equipment I would like to build my next computer inside of a boxcar. Ideally it would be a bright red Canadian Pacific with the 'mult-mark'. Background: A few weeks ago my #2 Step Daughter and I built a computer from standard parts. She is majoring in network security and forensics. I felt this would be a good summer project for the two of us. I had her do the research, select and order the parts including case, mother board, processor etc. Yes, we know you could buy 3 computers for the price we paid for this one. With that successfully achieved I got serious computer envy and decided it was my turn. I would love to find a boxcar large enough to fit a low end computer system since my needs are pretty basic. -0- I'm open to, (positive or negative): Other freight cars? Suggestions? Ideas? Concepts? Humor - be nice please Off topic thoughts? Because ya never know what might spark what. People who know me will recognize this as another one of my unusual projects that may never get off the cutting room floor. Just the same, maybe it will.
I would be worried about ventilation with the box car. You will need to consider cooling, if you are thinking a "normal" desktop stuffed into a car. Of course, you could house a number of mainframes or server farm in a 1:1 refrigerated car
I'm thinking an "O" or "G". I'm thinking fans in the doors and maybe sides that swing open in the back.
That's what I was thinking, too. Also- - you could vent on the bottom for circulation. I think it would be cool to do a caboose, then you could use the marker lights as your power and HDD activity indicators! Or interior lights for power, and marker lamps for HDD and WiFi. -Mike
I guess the real question is "do you want this to be a full featured PC or a slimmed down version?" Even a mini-ITX motherboard is 6.75" x 6.75" (I love how a micro-ITX woo woo woo is larger than a mini-ITX) and they don't take the most powerful processors or have room for a lot of RAM. A Raspberry Pi is 3.5" x 2.5", but then a proprietary Linux system. You would clearly want SSD drive
Cattle Car? Hmmm, Great! Idea! as I am concerned about venilation. Wonder if I can paint it in CP Red and add a CP panel?? Caboose? Hmm, Delightful idea about the HDD lights. But, I still need drive bays for the DVD drive. I'm thinking I will have it come out the end with the section of 'bulkhead' cut from the car and glued to the front of the DVD drive 'door'. IO Ports? They might have to be out of the end or maybe through the floor. Processor will be lower end RAM - 16Gigs Vibration will be an issue. Drive heads do not like vibration.
If vibration is a concern are you planning on actually running this computer around a loop? (that would be super cool!) Go with a solid-state HD and no worries about vibrations. Getting power to a mobile PC like that could be a problem. Having a DVD drive would almost certainly restrict you to G-Scale and even then I'm not sure G is big enough? If you are okay with a static display, how about the freight car at a loading platform and you could conceal the DVD drive inside part of the deck. You could integrate some of your USB and other connectors into boxes on the deck or inside the open boxcar door? This could be a really cool project!
"If vibration is a concern are you planning on actually running this computer around a loop? (that would be super cool!) " Yes, that would be super cool, but no, I'm not enough of a gambler to risk everything on that but also, I just don't have space for an O or G scale layout, not even a circle. 'solid-state HD' - Hmmm, another great idea. "Having a DVD drive would almost certainly restrict you to G-Scale and even then I'm not sure G is big enough? If you are okay with a static display, how about the freight car at a loading platform and you could conceal the DVD drive inside part of the deck. " Reading this I had a 2nd thought, Maybe an external drive I can plug into USB port - which might be under a loading deck.
I have to ask. What is the purpose? How would you use a computer that's inside a model railroad box car? Are you talking about having a tiny functioning keyboard and a screen and all that? It sounds very awkward. Not trying to rain on your parade, just curious. Maybe just put an iPhone inside a box car.
Source for 'O' or 'G' scale freight cars? Please keep in mind the restrictions regarding of naming non-advertisers here. If there are any vendors reading this that have ideas please contact me here, PM, or I can also be reached at: steve.f.goodenough AT gmail.com Thanks. I'm now off to find system board dimensions etc.
Because I can. No other reason what soever. It will definitely cost more than an off the shelf black box or laptop. There is a chance I'll give it to my step-grandson when he is older. Right now he has a tablet. Hmm, thanks for the question, it just made me think: WiFI for networking for sure Wireless Mouse and keyboard via wireless for sure. DVD - Hmmm, USB via external ports Monitor - probably 28", maybe touch screen depending on cost. Speakers? wireless / blue thooth
I've heard of someone who used an iPhone to simulate a drive in movie screen in N scale. Technology is great for our hobby. You could maybe use a wireless keyboard with the screen being the entire car side. Very interesting project. I look forward to seeing your project. Thinking outside of the box(car).
I have found a local source an lengths for 'S' scale CP Multi Mark Boxcars: 40' - About 17" 50' - About 21" 60' - About 25" What would the width and height be? Thanks!
Just fyi, they make full x86 pcs that are about the size of an oversized USB thumb drive. You could easily fit such a PC in an HO boxcar much less an S scale one. They aren't the fastest, but they can be had. Cheap too. I think the form factor for the Intel NUC isn't quite right for an HO or S boxcar. Alas.
Personally I would take the simple route. Buy a touch screen computer that has the works in the screen and a wireless keyboard. Then get a nice "O" gage box car to look like the case and put it beside the screen. I'm just lazy and it's been 16 years since I built a computer.
@Yoho and everyone - Ya, you are right. I looked at the NUC but for geeky reasons really want a system board / CPU, (Intel I3) / RAM 16gigs (but probably 8gigs). @Shortround - and everyone - < bemused grin >, sigh, wish I could do that. No one would know.
