They're 20+ years too late for the era I plan to model, but the Shapeways concept is chock full of win, and gives modelers access to stuff that the larger manufactures wouldn't even dream of producing.
I want one, but I'm not sure why !!! Judging by it's neighbors, it would fit my era. What is it ??? What's in it ??? How do ya' load it ??? How do ya' empty it ??? Where is it used ??? Seems like it might be a bit top-heavy. Never saw one of these, but it's cool !!! Guess THAT'S why I want one !!!
It's a covered hopper for transporting cement and other bulk oilfield material. They're loaded and unloaded with air.
I'm not a "shapeways guy" as someone that converts 3-D plans to models, but I definitely support the concept and would ABSOLUTELY love to have that Halliburton car.
Stonysmith at Shapeways has this car already done in Z scale. If enough folks ask him he will do it in N scale. http://www.shapeways.com/model/4874...-hopper-car-z-scale.html?li=productBox-search The JLG loads model in his N scale products were done at my request, the prototype photo is mine as well, the loads ran in 2008 and 2009. Now I need the XTTX flatcar. Ask him, he will do it I'm fairly certain. Nice guy too Joe
His are a four bay. The Halliburton cars were three. Very similar though. I like the propeller load for Z scale. I wonder if he'd consider doing it for N.
May I ask what era? They show up in the Bakersfield area all the time on BNSF, but the plant is on the UP.
I'll do it. I need something to break up the frustration with the Skytop I've been working on for about 2 weeks. Some questions: Would you all like it as an attachment to an existing flatcar or would you prefer the whole car? My thinking is that as an attachment, it'll save time, money, and I won't have to go through so many tests to make sure the trucks set right. If you all want the whole unit, I need a decision on what trucks you plan to mount, so I can get some and make measurements.
Well, I'm not sure I know enough about the process to even know what I would want. My first desire is that we could get the plans converted into a 3-D file. At that point it would be possible to go somewhat "every man for himself", assuming that the file was made available to those who had the grand schemes for some superdetailed pewter/resin/etched metal masterpiece. If you're gonna put it into Shapeways, then I would say do the whole car, and use BLMA trucks. I'm not sure what challenges that would represent over others, but I think it's probably the best chance of getting the lowest riding car available. The concern to me is weight. If the model is hollow I wonder if there's an easy way to get weight LOW in the tanks. It seems to me that either way the car will be top-heavy without a metal "flatcar" underneath....even though in reality it's not a flat at all since it appears the middle is open, no? The only think I can think of that would be close would be the Atlas coil car which I'm pretty sure is metal and would/could be open where the tanks are. (kinda thinking out loud at this point...) Seems like the coil car would be comparable in length, too. Hmmmm...maybe "just the tanks" would be OK then. I also think about the small details and whether they would survive the process. The framing on top would be nice, and we could apply stock etched metal cut from a sheet, add a ladder, and pretty much be done for the top area. Or maybe we have an entire etched fret made up? See? I think there are too many variables in my mind at this time to say for sure how I'd want to go... If I got just the tanks I'd probably be happy...
I was thinking about modeling the car with hatches that are removeable or flip open to allow the addition of sand, lead shot or whatever for weight. Also, the only way I model things is "super detailed" which is why I'm asking in advance about the trucks and whatnot. There are limitations to 3D printing, such as wire-thin handrails. For details that tiny, it would look much better with aftermarket pieces, since about .5mm is the smallest I'm comfortable with for handrail, which works out to about 3" to scale. Pretty big. But when you look at it, a half a mil is pretty darn small. As for etched walkways, that would be pretty interesting. I've never done a grated walkway and wonder what the capabilities are there. For sure though, it would be better to go etched for those details. This picture shows .5mm DIA handrail in comparison to the footholds on a Kato commuter railcar. The handrail broke free of the steps in only one location, and I think the overall integrity of the railing was due mostly to how many connections there were. A free-standing single rail would probably not fair so well. I do have a few experiments that I'll be running through on my next print, so I might as well combine those with the cement car. I model details down to .1mm which is the absolute limit for the technology at this point in time. At that level of detail, other things come into play, such as making a kit, or a single piece.
I'd suggest BLMA trucks, and MT 903/905 Z scale couplers. Car and hoppers separate would probably be easiest all around. ETA: The cars aren't standard flat cars, so while you could print them seprately, you couldn't just throw them on top of a commercially available flat.
Yes, that sounds like a good plan. I would need to get more research to know how everything goes together. Like the plans, an overhead photo, etc. I've seen these cars pretty often but never had a chance to photograph them or otherwise see how they're put together. As I said, those "limitations" are what I really don't have a grasp on. It looks like the top is entirely expanded metal roofwalk except for the loading hatches, so I would see maybe building the "framework" and adding etched grating and a metal ladder and hopefully tying it together with the grating will make it structurally sound enough. I don't know if it would be possibly to draw the grate into the Shapeworks design or not. Or, like you say make the entire thing etched. I guess if the plans are good then getting the etchings done would not be too difficult. So, I guess the idea is do the best that can be done in shapeworks and if the parts are too delicate you do something different. Anyway, hopefully it will be a fun project. Will be good to see how it progresses!
I just received the files and will begin tonight. There won't be really anything worth showing until maybe Wednesday night. I can make the support structure for the overhead walkway so that it can be easily attached. Also, little details like the brake wheel might also be better pulled from other sources. We shall see. I'll just do it all up first, print one and see how it goes. The worst thing that'll happen is I get a moderately expensive blob in the mail. I looked at the BLMA trucks and it looks like the 70ton truck is the correct one out og the two I saw offered. I know MTL makes quite a few trucks as well. They look to be Barber Roller-BEaring style trucks.
The drawings are great! I wish I had this quality for the Skytop car I've been beating into form over the past 2 weeks of spare time.
Is the deck of the car just flat steel? Would there be a way to get a photo of the deck so I can see how it is riveted?
