Joe D'Amato has already doe this in Z scale; I am trying to do it in N scale using styrene. It really doesn't seem too hard but the one measurement that would help me is to know the radius of the curvature of the plow face. I am building mine with a 30 inch radius or so and I think it is too large. The radius should be less...about 24 inches, I think. Here is a show and tell photo of the work so far. I set the pilot snow plow curvature using a styrene tube. I have googled and searched and I can't find it. I just know I have seen that measurement on a prototype drawing some where. Can anyone help with this issue? Even knowing the curvature of current day plows would give me an idea if I am close on the measurement. Thanks. BTW, here is an interesting link for building a different type of snow plow.
From your photo it looks like you are working from a Sunrise Enterprises plow model. The SE plow is modeled after the type used largely by WP/SP/GN/NP roads and this particular plow type was used on E7s/F3s/F7s .. maybe even a F9. I model GN mostly but I do not recall seeing any info listed on the GNRHS site regarding this plow type .. that doesn't mean there isn't any info; only that I haven't really researched for it. GNRHS can be found at http://www.gnrhs.org Look under "Reference Sheets" Maybe some of the WP and SP modelers could add info ... :tb-err:
Hey Flash, In the SPH&TS Trainline issue #78 is an SP common standard drawing. The radius is basically 28-1/2". Over all height is 40-3/8".Width is 10'-2". And it sits 5" off the rails. The Sunise plow measures 36" high by 10' wide. Close enough? I think so. Hope this helps.
Thanks, Wolf. That is exactly the data I need. I have also considered that it might not be a constant radius. It could be a parabola type or something. In any case, if they were added by Espee they might not be absolutely uniform in shape. I am using a 30-35 degree angle between the two plow pieces. I have it placed on the engine now, but not attached. I think I will add the top, flat part, attach the plow below it, then start sanding and filing away everything that doesn't look like a pilot plow. I have Trainline #78; I will check that, too.
My Thanks also Wolf ... that is data I have now filed away for my own refernces. It is regrettable though that Sunrise Enterprises is now OOB.:tb-sad:
Flash, If I may make a suggestion, I would cast that SE plow and create resin copies. Micro-mark sells a novice kit for about 85 dollars, you figure 5 bucks a plow and it eventually pays for itself. The mold lasts for 10 - 15 copies. Worth a shot! HTH, T
I'm not sure how many of these I will use but maybe 6-7 at the most. Maybe I will consider casting, not so much for this but for all the other possibilities. Here are two photos of the plow construction in progress. It is just bits of styrene and careful cutting. The coupler is mounted to the shell. Once I had decided how to make the plow and attach it to the shell, the project took about 3-4 hours. Here is the finished plow. It sticks out a little too far and needs more trimming and details. I plan to paint it black, so the differences with a Sunrise Enterprise version may not be too noticeable once it is on the layout. I removed the coupler trip pin. It was a fun project, though.
Looks spot on to me! I am trying to get into casting things myself. I bought some stuff at a local craft store, may need to just go ahead purchase the kit from Micro Mark since latex is flipping hard to find.
