Anyone there you can talk to? If they worked on your WM H9, they should work on the PRR H9. I appreciate your tenacity!
You'd really think so - unfortunately through this whole process is rather subjective (and I get the impression that they've updated their 'printability' checking procedures). For the record Piper you aren't the only one, I've been set back well over a month by this as well...
Why not do like GHQ with their metal boiler conversion kit for the Kato Mikado 2-8-2 - include the metal stanchions and handrail wire in the kit and just model fine dimples to locate where holes should be drilled to install said details. It worked for them! IMHO anyone willing to do this conversion wouldn't be put off with installing the handrails.
You know, it might enable you to get the shell/kit out faster by replacing the plumbing & handrails with dimples to mark mounting locations. That would make the kit available sooner, while you continue to work out the snags with keeping the plumbing and handrails as part of the model. Heck, offering it both ways might be a better idea, anyway. Some modelers might replace the fragile parts, anyway, and would prefer the dimples, some might not. Buyer's choice.
Off subject question. Why did some roads paint steam tender and cab roofs red? Just asking cause the steam Guru's are on this thread.
It seems that the test prints have come up, well... a bit short There are some things that I'm pretty happy with. The rivet detail, on the cab, and the smokebox look good IMHO. I just can't figure out how I overlooked the overall length of the Bachmann drive and the length of the Pennsy shell. After comparing measurements from the Bachmann drive, the IC 2-8-0 prototype that is modeled after, AND the PA H9, it seemed the the driver sizes, cylinder sized, and wheelbase lengths where all close enough for this project to work. The motor hanging out of the back of the cab might be something that I have to compromise on. The handrails will have to be redone or axed all together (or both for you kit bash types.) and in an effort to maximize clearance around the drive, I did make some of the walls in the firebox too thin, but that will be a quick fix. Anyway, here is where the project stands at this point. As always, feedback is welcome!
Very nice indeed. So when will this be available? I like it a lot, and can live with the motor hanging out like that, it not that bad. Shaun
I thinking the print looks nice. I checked with my brother about the Bachmann chassis and it should indeed be very close. The unfortunate part is that the mechanism is sticking out for quite a distance. His suggestion is to move the motor to the tender. Btw, we both would also like to see locomotive shells like this from for instance the G5, E3 or the D16. Creating the drive is no problem for us. Nstars
I don't know how the shell actually measures out to scale but it looks a few percentage points small across the board. I think this is a situation where you make the shell fit the mechanism and look proportional to it, instead of trying to stick to exact scale measurements. The boiler just looks too small and light on the mechanism. The interface between the firebox and boiler is still not right. The firebox should be a smooth transition into the boiler and at least as wide as the boiler. The boiler shouldn't sticking into the firebox if that makes any sense. The firebox should reach all the way down, not stop at the shoulder of the boiler.
I think you are correct. Look at the front of the cab. Draw a vertical line down and that line goes through the last driver wheel center. On the prototype that line is further back almost to the rim of the driver. Also if you draw a line vertically down the front of the belpaire firebox that line intersects the fourth driver at its center. On the prototype that too is back further near the rim. I haven't measured the B-mann Connie but according to the PRR equipment diagrams the prototype had 62" drivers on a wheel base of 17' 0.5" with center to center spacing of 68.5, 67.5 and 68.5 inches respectively. The shell may be correct but it may need to be stretched to fit the mechanism.
Measurements I got with my micrometer on the Spectrum 2-8-0 were driver centers of 71.68" (give or take a scale inch) with a wheelbase of 215" or 17' 11" or just about 10" too long. Driver diameter is 59.36" so just a little undersized but not bad. Overall the Bachmann Connie is a little longer than the PRR H10 so I'd agree that the boiler/firebox needs to be stretched a bit. Probably in several places so things don't look hugely out of proportion. John H. Reinhardt
In N scale whe hbave to live with oversized flanges. Even the smallest "LoPro" flanges are oversized. Compensating for those flanges results in either correct diameter drivers with a longer wheelbase or a correct wheelbase but with smaller diameter drivers. The third option is some combination of the two. But which ever way one goes there has to be additional compromises in the shell so that it "looks right". That is the key, how it looks. It may not be correct but if it comes close and has the look of correctness then one can live with the result.
