A few test photos of my SDF45, using a JnJ shell, on a Kato SD45 chassis. The handrails were scratchbuilt in brass. After taking the pictures, I remembered that I have not yet glazed the cab windows, so it is a good thing that these locomotives are not allowed to lead a train I note that other areas of the model need tidying up, and finishing off. General broadside view This shot shows the air conditioner, antenna plates etc. Some of the front detail. When the windows are glazed, the thickness of the frames needs to be reduced, also the paint on the nose needs touching up. Top view to show the fans, not bad for a resin body.
Lookin' very good Alan!! I have another question for you, how did you pull off that Andersley Western slug?? (check Alans site for pictures). Keep up the great work. PS. NO lead units on the main line can run with out ditch lights!
Why? Are they trying to find something in the ditch?? That is a fantastic job Alan [ 10 April 2001: Message edited by: Telegrapher ]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: PS. NO lead units on the main line can run with out ditch lights! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Actually, Craig, here is a link to the FRA Rule on the matter. It's a good 5 text pages long, and goes into detail about how they came up with the final rule, etc., but is a good reference on this. The preliminary rule was set up in 1993, and the final (current) rule took effect in December of 1997. So yes, if Alan is running BNSF, you can bet any lead loco would most likely have ditchlights.
An excellent job, Alan. I haven't seen any close-up pics of JnJ's resin bodies before and this one looks great. Was there much work involved to clean up the body before detailing and painting? Definitely looks like Kato radiator fans to me! I wonder if the rest are as good... Gary.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gats: Definitely looks like Kato radiator fans to me! Gary.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yeah, Gary, we checked them against a Kato loco. and the fans look the same to us as well
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: PS. NO lead units on the main line can run with out ditch lights! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> BNSF does not allow any cowl units to run on the point, so ditch lights would be superfluous.
Alan, Great photos! I have a request, but its a bit off the subject at hand. I see in the pictures an intermodal area in the background. Could you post some pictures of it or email them to me directly at squint@uwbmt.org I'm starting to model my intermodal area and would like to see to examples of how others did it. Scot
How come I can't see the pics...all they are is a few boxes with red "x"'s in them. Whats the deal with that?? Dave
Oh Alan!! Your right! OK, OK, you got me on that one. Dave, since your on AOL like my self, hit the reload button at the top tool bar, its thee buttons away from the back button (which is to the very left). About those fans, those are definately Kato fans, but my question is how can they do that? Isn't that illigal? If it's not, my life would be a LOT esiar as I could cast parts off locos, but for now I don't, just to be on the safe side. (PS. Does any one know how many SF F45's are left?....There are three SDF40-2's that work in the LA area and I see often).
Craig, I remember that 40% rule you told me, but I am pretty sure you can copy such parts as fans, grills, and certain body features off as they really have no effect on the original manufacturers shells. Your best bet would be to first contact the manf. (Jnj must've) and ask if you can do it. Hmm, it sounds like Im about to see more then 50 more detail parts released in less then 2 monthes? Mike
Craig, If you look at my extended cab GP50 shells from JNJ the entire thing except fot the cab extensions apear to be copys of the Kato GP50 shell. The fans are what gave it away to me, they look just like the Kato ones. Oh yea, great work alan, I would really love to have one of those for my BN/BNSF layout. Kevin
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: [QB] About those fans, those are definately Kato fans, but my question is how can they do that? Isn't that illigal? If it's not, my life would be a LOT esiar as I could cast parts off locos, but for now I don't, just to be on the safe side. QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> What about the anticlimber you sell that is made from a mold of an Atlas SD60 anticlimber?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Scott Siebler: What about the anticlimber you sell that is made from a mold of an Atlas SD60 anticlimber? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> It is made from the SD60, but it has two supports under it therefor it is modified more than 25% and is now my own part. The issue here is just straight out copying other parts. **hhhmmm, I could really use some 48" fans in my product line!
I think that you need to be very careful about using any part to create a new one. If this was a song, and the original creator could prove that you copied it, you would be liable for any lost revenue. Even though Atlas is copying a design in making the model, I'm sure that the hard work is protected very carefully. Don't forget it costs about $100,000 and more just to bring a model to market. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if someone copied something you spent money on to bring to market. Like I said just be very careful about what you do and say. Also don't forget this is on the WWW and anyone has access to it.
Personally, I do not use ANYTHING from other models, but make completely new patterns. Unless I had written permission to do so from the manufacturer, I would not dare to use any! I would have thought that JnJ must have had permission to use the fans.?
Couple points need to come out here guys. First off, I can't remember what the exact percent is, but I am sure that if you change something more than 25% it is your own model, like my anticlimber. It is MY anticlimber. Another thing, I am willing to bet companys like Kato and Atlas would let something slide even if it was under the minimum 25% change rate if the new part was totally different from what they were selling. Second of all, Alan, JnJ did more than copy just the fans on other shells, on there extended cab GP50's they copied the ENTIRE shell expcept for the cab! The fans, grills, hood doors, pilots, etc. are exactly the same as the Kato GP50 shell. Who knows if they are doing this legaly or not. One more time, remember, I am not copying any part of Kato's or Atlas or any other model manufacturer for that matter.
I really doubt that a Walthers vendor (Jnj) copies without permission from Kato. Im also willing to bet that Kato gets paid a small percentage for every shell sold. But copying such small and insignificat parts as an anticlimber or fans will not hurt the manufacturers sales in any way. Those parts make up only 2-6% of the model, so its no large threat. It would be different for a cab or body shell of course. But even for those small parts, its better to ask for permission before you make them rather then in court! Mike
The only problem I can see with these parts y'all are so worried about is where does it say KATO on them. Craig did you sand it off? Do you suppose JnJ sanded it off the fans? Who sanded(removed) it from all the KATOs that I own. The point is fellas KATO, or any other manufactering company is not going to go to the expence of trying to prove the unprovable. If you really want something serious to worry about ,worry about how many SD80/90s KATO will make and will there be enough to go around. <marquee>North American Rail Alliance</marquee>
