Cool, so is this something you intend to make available or is this just a personal project? This is definitely a car I'm interested in, especially if I stay in Z for the long haul. I'm currently in the process of getting married and buying a house so it will be the fall before I could be in for a set anyway, but I might be able to scrape together a deposit on a couple if that was an option. I missed out on all your great stuff from the 2000's so I don't want to miss a chance now. Yes, these cars are very versatile, and from a small layout perspective it allows for a compact way of hauling the pups without resorting to 89ft cars which I try to avoid.
Am getting ready to attempt my first "RSLazer" kit: any advice as to how to assemble those multi-planed windows would be appreciated... Mark in Oregon
I ran this one (minus loads) around an MTL oval track and a tighter curve through turnouts in the oval using one of my AZL SD70ACe's. At first they rubbed at articulation but some filing corrected it. The wheels/trucks went smoothly through the turnouts and around the curves. The next thing is for me to disassemble the trucks then fine tune the castings getting them ready for paint and decals. I am going to have to knock the spider webs off of the ALPS first. The only issue with these is determining what I want to haul on them. If a 53' trailer then I have to hobby knife away the container mounts on the decks. If a container will ride the car then the mounts stay. Also depending on what rides, folded or extended fifth wheels are glued down. Above, Doug A. mentioned hauling pups, (28' Trailers) on these. In that case, both end of each car would have the fifth wheel in the extended position glued to the deck. That way he can carry six of the 28' trailers on one set of spines. I gotta go. I'm gonna run them with trailers and containers now. Catch ya later! Hobo Tim p.s. I am making several of these for my own collection first. As my experience with the casting of these is perfected I will most likely make a few sets for other Intermodal modelers. For more on Z Intermodal you might want to check out the Yahoo group Z_Intermodal as that is where I post more info on my Intermodal projects.
This is just what I have on my work bench at this time! Z scale Going to be 3D printed and work up and down! the rails are a little over sized but they will work need to get some etched metal ones!
What Shamoo737 said. Solvent based paint. I use good old Testors model paint. Prime before hand for a sealer if you want to. I paint most parts on the sprue and touch up after I cut them loose. Use a new SHARP blade and don't rush things. Some stuff needs to fry before proceeding to the next step. Test fit parts to make sure they fit, some need a little sanding or filing touch up to fit right. The only warping issue I have had was with water based acrylic. I atarted using Tru-color and have not had that issue. Fun kits. take you time and enjoy the ride. Trey
You should invest in the do-it-yourself home etching kit that Micro-Mark sells. I would use .005 brass for the handrails. That size would be more proto than .010 brass. I think you'd like etching your own details for the 3D items you create. Hobo Tim
I've been playing with DCC++. If you havn't seen the DCC++ subforum in the DCC forum, it's an Open source DCC base station running from an Arduino Uno or Mega and motor shield. With the base system you connect a computer to it via USB and control it with either the DCC++ controller software or JMRI. It looks like the WiFi has been worked out so it can also be wireless. I paid $20 for the Uno and $25 for the motor shield to get started which is actually cheaper than some Z decoders. With clone boards it can be done even cheaper. https://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/ Matt
hi David, first I have to see how the first printed car body looks. I have send it to Shapeways fro printing. I will reuse the detail parts I have still a set from my coal gondola projects. If the dropbottom gondola looks good eventually, I'll try to get more dedicated etched parts for the gondola. I did design the car for body mounted MTL couplers. /Frank
Tim, great stuff, please one set for me! Frank, I did a similar car, all metal, the G50-7 Drop Bottom Gondola
One of 7 shells that have been cast in resin and infused with tungsten powder for added weight. No manufacturer makes a chassis that is close to the USRA 0-8-0 except that of which Marklin produces. This shell has proportional dimensions so as to snugly conform to the Marklin chassis. This particular shell is crude as the few tiny air bubbles that were cast in the resin were filled with the new UV 5 second cure glue as opposed to filler putty. The mechanism runs smoothly in all tests I have made on curves, straight-a-ways and through turnouts.. The current mold has maybe one more casting pour left in it as the undercuts have wreaked havoc in tearing the mold up as each casting is released from it. At this time I do not have plans on making another mold. In the near future we may see signs of the posting of a tender made to accommodate one of these USRA 0-8-0 locos. I for one am greatly looking forward to it! Hobo Tim
S0 Tim, What do you think of the UV 5 sec glue. I have been using it for a while on my 3D printed model I think it works well! I helps hold those small parts in place till you hit it with the light make repairs a lot better. Your Steamer shell for 0-8-0! looks great! nice work!
