in N scale? Please someone make them! http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu In HO you can pick them up for $3.00 (detail associates). I've got over 40 locos, and if I start assembling the JNJ (if you can find them!) or the GMM (you have to by a $12 pack of them which includes versions you may or may not be able to use) I could be done by 2010! Someone make these! Come on! (Please!) (Did Loco-Motives make these in the past?)
They are not listed any more but BLMA models used to make this part. It was all clear and you had to paint the trim if I remember correctly. If you need that many, you may want to contact Craig and see if he'll either bring that part back or do a special run of them for you. I think I have a pack of them at home. If so, I'll try and post a pic of them.
This is not meant to be a jocular post nor is it meant to be insulting so please do not take my comments offensively. When I originally read the title of your post and subsequently saw the picture of your N&W diesel I was somewhat taken aback; the only time I recall ever having encountered the term "all-weather cab" was in association with steam locomotives. I scratched my head in confusion until I encountered your photo/diagram of the "all weather windows" on the cab. Now to my point: These do not look considerably complicated. These "all- weather windows" are not something I would require for my diesel fleet and I'm not sure of just how many (N-Scale) modelers would; hence I am just a little bit leary that a manufacturer of scratchbuilding parts would go to the expense of cutting dies for something of dubious sales potential. You may find such an item available in HO because that scale has a significantly larger retail base. Why don't you take a stab at scratching these from styrene. Just from looking at these it appears that it would be a rather simple project to cut strips to length and them glue them into shape and then glue some clear styrene to the inside to represent glass. N&W, stop being lazy. If you indeed need these "all-weather windows" for 40 locomotives (and maybe more in the future) it is time you get some kind of book on RTV molding and learn how to "do-it-yourself"; you could very soon become one of the proverbial "happy campers"!!!
Yes, these were done in the past by Loco-Motives. Beautiful injection molding but fragile. Unfortunately, the mold cracked and that was the end. BTW, All parts of the Loco-Motives line were in the one mold so we lost their rotary beacons and spark arrestors, too. An alternative to GMM, JnJ also have etched windows that require folding @ 3.00 a piece (less any discount) - 2 window - http://users.dwx.com/~jnjtrains/Aready/0021.jpg 2 window angled top - http://users.dwx.com/~jnjtrains/Aready/0022.jpg 3 window - http://users.dwx.com/~jnjtrains/Aready/0037.jpg
Yes, I'm aware of these. Three downsides to these: 1) Folding 40 plus of these. 2) No "glass" 3) Are they available?
It was a sad day when Loco-Motives AWW were no more. Hard to believe that nobody has picked up this part in plastic. :sad: Boxcab E50
Have you ever done this? Specifically, have you tried to make an RTV mold of a small, delicate open sided master and then cast that part with success? If so, show us the results...
How are you picturing these to be made? The photoetched ones are so nice because metal gives you a little durability along with the thin cross section. Castings would be fragile, unless they were done solid and cast in clear resin. Then requiring some fiddly painting... Clear resins tend to do wierd things and shrink more than standard resins. Not that somebody couldn't adjust for that... Injection molding would be expensive, you'd still need glass, and they'd be fragile. You can't really fake them in a two-part mold. Too much detail on the side windows that would have to be done with side pulls. Yes, you need a few tricks to fold the photo etched ones, but really it's the best option out there until Mark4 can figure out the lost wax brass process with perfactory.
Mike, Thanks for the hint. I guess I'll hunt down the JNJ ones, as I don't want to buy the "assortment" that GMM sells. Has anyone attempted to add "glass" to them? Mark
Isn't there some kind of stuff put out by Microscale that you can use to make decent looking windows. Maybe called Crystal Clear or something like that. Seems like Testors makes something like that too?
1) After the first few it would be easier. Practice makes perfect, etc. 2) An injection molded version would still have no 'glass'. The Loco-Motives version didn't. The only one with 'glass' is the old BLMA piece as it was solid cast resin (or some such). 3) Good question. At least the GMM item is probably available and does 12 locos at $12 as opposed to $3 a piece for JnJ. But JnJ allows you to select the three types as appropriate. BTW, I have more than 40 locos I 'should' do...
Interesting discussion here... I did offer clear, cast resin All Weather Windows in the BLMA line a few years ago. When I discontinued the resin products of the line, these of course were discontinued as well. Not that it matters now, but I put a great deal of research into finding a clear resin that didn't yellow, wasn't brittle, could be sanded, and was totally clear. The ending result was a very clear window that only required the outer frame to be painted silver. I did a little searching online and was able to find this OLD photo of my All Weather Window. As it stands, I think the best way to mass produce the part currently would be to have it injection molded in clear styrene, then perhaps have the frame pad-printed on. Of course, this would involve relatively expensive manufacturing methods for a part with such small demand. I'll check to see if the molds I used are still in good shape. If they are, I might be able to do a short custom run of these parts for anyone interested (NOT to become a stock product number).
I'd be interested in the resin you used. I've looked into clear resins, but some of the warnings on them are a little scary! Kel
I'm leaning away from GMM - they're great I'm sure if you happen to have a fleet consisting of these particular locs: http://www.onlinetrains.com
It is a common problem with this set, having unwanted parts. Perhaps you should start a trade list for these on the yellow board. You could post the ones from this set you need and the ones you would be willing to trade for them. Given the negligable postage cost for these it may work out well for several people.
