Has anyone else in the group bought this car yet? I just ordered one yesterday, just wadering if I'm he only one to be that crazy.
Yes, here is a thread about it. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?140890-Finally-available-in-N!!!
How do they track? is it going to be wobbly... Also how's the casting, sometimes they can be alittle lop sided, not to bash anyone and no I haven't tried to cast resin before... How will bodymount N couplers or for that matter Z905's work (how low does it sit with BLMA trucks.) How heavy is it, will it tear apart Z905's???
It's suppose to use MT 1015's, BLMA 100ton ASF trucks w/36" wheels (125ton w/ 38" wheels on prototype). From what I've seen and read from the few that have put one together, they run really nice with some minor tweeking and they look really sharp. I got a few projects to finish before I can get to mine, but it looks like it's going to be quite a chore to build... slow, steady and lots of patience. fyi: mine took about 2 1/2 weeks to be delivered.
I'm really pleased with my kit. The detail on it is amazing. As for running, I had it going around for a couple of hours needing only a few minor adjustments to the bolsters. Not having the patients to wait for a load to be released, I decided to construct one from my scrap box. Adding the load though has caused the two inner most trucks on each end to act up. I haven't quite figured out what the cause is though. For couplers, the end platform has a molded in MT 1015 box. All you need is the insides and lid. Getting the spring in was driving me nuts, so I ended up leaving them out.
I saw the car operate on Daryl Kruse's layout and it operated very well, balking only at an interchange track that had a severe vertical twist to get from the main down to the interchange yard The prototype wouldn't have made it through the turnout. The car is very track worthy, unlike the Overland brass Schnabel which had no provision for any vertical play at all. Charlie Vlk PS - Disclosure- I did the decal art for friend Mark Runyan who is Elgin Locomotive Works.
I don't think I'd run it at speed thru a 9 3/4" curve although it will probably make it around. The overhang in the center of the curve will wipe out anything there on a such a sharp curve. Add a typical load and you might cover the center of the radius Mark worked out the overhangs on the computer so you might want to contact Elgin Locomotive Works for detailed comments re your minimum radius Charlie Vlk
Got my kit last week, had a broken part, Mark sent a new one right out. Now all I need is Time, Skill, patience, know how........and if I ever get it done I hope the train crew pay better attension to what theyare doing than they did with this switch job....
