I got two drives all ready to go and more on the way ! I got a pair of VO-1000s ready for the FMs as well , I may sacrifice my entire VO-1000 fleet to make FMs. Randy
Im on board, will you be selling them directly or will we need to buy them from Shapeways? An S4 will look great on my B&M.
(This was in reference to coming up with a 27' truck spacing for the FM H20-44) Interesting idea John, but the FM trucks are different, heavier and have a longer wheelbase. But that brings up a different question: could the Atlas FM 15-44 trucks be substituted on an Atlas VO mechanism, and if so what would the resulting wheelbase be? I dont believe the FM gear towers are offset. I guess that's actually three questions... Thoughts, anyone? Thanks, Otto K.
Not yet (I don't currently have access to one). That said I am conscious that folks are interested in using a Kato mech - I'll get this version rolled out and then take a closer look. For the time being I will be selling them exclusively through Shapeways. No I don't like loosing the ability to make the final quality control check; on the other hand I don't currently have the time or energy to become a proper manufacturer/distributor either. Don't worry, the AS-616 is high up on my list haha - I just have a few projects to finish up first (besides I'm sure that if I drag my heels for too long someone else will step up to the plate ).
Fair enough, I will do what I can to support your work. This I consider a form of art and if people (not me) enjoy watching some guy wrap buildings in clothe, I can certainly buy a locomotive shell here and there for my layout. It does help that I have a Life-Like mech lying around from an SW8 project that I wasnt happy with. If it isnt rude, I would still like to plug the HH600-660. I poked around eBay today and plazajapan has tons of chassis I would love to experiment on.
No worries, mate. I'll think of something. Just happy to be getting an FM. You're the bees' knees! FS
Well gosh thanks! As an engineer by training I'm not very used to being called an 'artist' Frankly I'd love to try the HH's here at some point (I have a bit of a soft spot for 'large-nosed' switchers for some reason). I'll certainly keep scouting around for a suitable mechanism - it's just difficult to justify putting a project like this ahead of others for which obvious mechanisms already exist (vis the H-10-44).
So for all of those who might be interested - I went ahead and made the S-4 available through my shop (link below). As my first locomotive shell I still consider this a bit of an experiment and constructive feedback is of course always appreciated! I apologize in advance if proper documentation (instructions etc.) lags behind a bit here - I still have a bunch to get done. Anyway thanks again to all of those who have expressed interest and given me feedback already.
Got mine ordered... Artist, Engineer... either works (although engineering tends to be more useful to society. Looking forward to getting this decorated and in-use.
I hope two units will be winging their way to me shortly. One will be CP Action Red and one Tuscan/Grey...Nelson yard is in desperate need of them both. md
Matt - glad to see you posted a shot of the 'real thing' S4 on the Shapeways page, but to really get a feel for it you need to do a model in primer gray. The FUD is too white to see detail, one painted black is too dark. I've had similar issues with resin and photos, I have to paint one in primer for instructions because otherwise you can't see the parts in photos. Is your intent on the S4 to do full FUD handrails and also FUD stanchions if you want to use brass wire? That's an interesting approach to the problem, actually.
"Interesting idea John, but the FM trucks are different, heavier and have a longer wheelbase." It should be said right here and now that ALCO B trucks and not the FM trucks found on the H16s were used on H20s.
Thanks again everyone! Please do - pictures would be great too if that can be arranged! - hopefully it shouldn't be too much of a challenge. Thanks for the suggestion. Now that you mention it gray makes a good deal of sense, especially since there's no reason why I can't use gray primer as the base coat in lieu of white (what I currently use). Yep, that is exactly what I had in mind for the handrails. The cost of adding separate stanchions was less than a dollar, so I figured why not? It will be a delicate operation to thread the brass wire no doubt, but I included several extra stanchions just in case.
Are the Blunt switcher trucks available with the kit ? Will they become available as a separate part? I am looking at the Fowler clone cars you have also , I don't know a lot about these but didn't nearly everyone have similar cars ? I know CNW had some or perhaps they had original Fowler built cars? In any case they would be a neat build and a distinctive car in the fleet. Now we need Mather cars and MORE tank cars!!! Randy
Jerry, are you sure about that? At least on the UP, which owned both types, and which I model, the trucks appear identical. I'm traveling so I can't check my records, but I'm reasonably certain. Regards, Otto
Dare to compare... Southwest Portland Cement 408 (ex-UP 1369) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3010914 Southwest Portland Cement 409 (ex-UP 1366, nee-FM Demo 2000) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2326971 Akron, Canton & Youngstown 507 (ex-P&WV 69) http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2313993 PRR 7734 http://rr-fallenflags.org/prr/prr7734ads.jpg Albany Port Railroad ALCO RS3 2 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1090207 Southern (Carolina & Northwestern) ALCO RS3 10 http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=405055 Looking at PRR locomotive diagrams it would appear that there is a very slight difference in the axel spacing, 9' 4" on the ALCO RS3 and 9' 6" on the FM H20-44... the H16-44 trucks were the same axle spacing as the RS3, 9' 4".
Jerry, what I was comparing is the Atlas VO 1000 truck to the prototype FM H20 -44 in the context of substituting the VO trucks and mechanism and they are not the same; do dare to compare... As I said, I'm on the road so I have no access to my diagrams, just going from memory Regards, Otto
The Blunt trucks are coming along but they still need work; in short, to answer your question: no they aren't included with the S4. When they are done however I'll make them available both separately and as part of an S2 kit. Heads up though - they will be more expensive as a separate part since I have to work around that five dollar 'start-up fee;' I'll probably bunch two or three pairs together to make each pair more affordable. As for the Fowler Clones, the railroad apart from the D&RGW that owned a fleet of very similar cars was the Rock Island (they eventually purchased +8,000 in many variations). To make a reasonably accurate stand-in for a Rock Island Fowler using my kit (accurate except for the number of mullions on the roof and number of braces on the door), simply purchase the "K-brake" version and equip it with Bettendorf trucks. As for other railroads -like the CNW- you got me...
