Since my SD38-2 project is delayed by Atlas' summer shutdown (still no GP38 shells) I went looking for a new project. Thinking about a fleet of SP C-40-8 and C-50-7,8,9 cabeese. Managed the end doors and bay windows but cannot see the best way to proceed on couplers. The Micro-Trains website suggests #1111 with modifications and this would be OK, except, it does nothing to simulate the HydraCushion extended couplers. Thinking about a way to apply #1025 couplers extending from the platform ends. No joy yet... Any ideas out there?
TiVo, first off, welcome to Trainboard! I was just wondering if you could use the GP38-2 shell from Father Nature, rather than waiting for Atlas? Check here: Father Nature Good luck, Bill
Cushion underframe extensions have been done in HO, but don't think they have in N. I wonder if a piece of channel of the correct dimensions could be used, with the coupler fitted into it? Just a thought
Wabash, Considered it carefully and the Life Like is really not that bad. The Atlas has the dimensional qualities that neither of the others have. Worth waiting (impatiently) for, I suppose. Considered several plastic and ABS solutions but continue to wonder if they would be durable enough to stand up to operations. It would be far easier to detail plastics. My first two efforts did not stand up to the slam bang tests track bumps and bruises, so far no solution has presented itself that is strong, secure and easily reproducable in quantity. I was hoping that someone had some experience here before I start more cutting and fitting. I have 3 chassis that look like swiss cheese and no joy yet. Leaning towards brass channel for strength, but not opposed to plastics if they will be durable enough.
Brass channel would most likely be more dimentionally pure (scale sized). My thoughts would be to use the brass channel ,an MT coupler and an 0090 machine screw in a tapped hole.If need be you could drill all the way through the end platform then tap the hole mount the coupler ,then nip off the threaded part of the bolt that protruded above the platform. A dab of paint the same colour as the platform and the screw would just about disappear.
