Delamaize Here is a way to make a wire frame pantograph in HO. By halving the dimensions you could bend up one for N. You could always modify the jigs to match your prototype if this design is incorrect. http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pid=7/page=1.html A way to get straight wire is to give a length of wire a tug wile being held by two sets of pliers. Then you can get sharp bends too.
Can I play too? I know I'm a little late to the game but can I play? Pre-Summer, I've been working on a Harlem Transfer Company layout in N. When not laying track and hand building turnouts I actually started building an ALGEIR oil-electric boxcab. Note I said "started". Summer came and all activities went outdoors. The model RR went on the back burner. But wait... The days are getting shorter, the air is getting cooler... and the model RR bug is starting up again. Then I found this thread! First, let me show you the prototype: And here's where I was at before the hiatus: It's built from two Minitrix Santa Fe caboose shells. I got the idea from the Bill Lorence article in the March '83 MRR Magazine article, but his was HO. The chassis is the Bachman 44 tonner. You can see the chassis frame between the trucks that will most likely have to be ground away and hidden behind tanks and such. I also bought two Kato 11-105 Shorty B chassis' just in case. I still don't know which chassis I'm going to use. I have enough caboose shells to make another one (or two). The roof radiator tubes are CAT5 computer wire wrapped around a form, soldered and trimmed. Still thinking about how they came out. I hope they will pass the 3' test! The windows need some work too... Oh, and don't breath too hard - the bits aren't fastened together - just sitting there for the photos. Personally, I like the November 23 deadline. It will put a fire under my but to get it done. Whaddaya say? Room for one more in the game?
Always room! Groovy idea with the two cabooses: the windows & doors are pretty close! And the 44T mech is a great little runner, with DCC already onboard. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
OK Hetek, that's too cool not to consider. I've got a pair of ATSF style cabooses (since my son doesn't like when I say cabeese) that might just need a choppin'. Might be able to hack it together with a single one, now that I measure it. Hmmmmmmm...
Thanks! It can be done with a single caboose (the way it's done in the article), but I used two because I wanted to keep the shells as intact as possible, without too many filler pieces. By doing so, I avoided having to fill in the cupola and managed to keep as much of the rivet detail as possible. And speaking of rivets - No, I don't count 'em. Wish I had the knoweledge, ability and time to make it 100% correct, but I'm being honest when I say I don't. I purchased some N scale rivets from Archer, but apparently Archer knows the correct size of N scale rivets and Minitrix does not. I might have to order HO rivets to match or else sand the shell smooth and go Archer N scale rivets all the way. I have to say - I'm in awe of the talent I've seen here so far. I've had many ideas for my project. Many I see here already, such as the Bachmann 44 Ton or Kato shorty B chassis. I've also had ideas that I just couldn't get past 75% complete, such as gear boxes and brass etched shells. Now I see here that you guys have "been there, done that". Truly amazing! Keep it coming!
"OK, I'll just wear this for a while and maybe I'll make it another couple decades without being scrapped." :]
Hee hee. That's funny. In all reality, that engine was dibe up, because of a New York Policy that reqired steam locos be shrouded so as to not spook the horses... Because covering the boiler and NOT the whirling blender of death on the side of the engine really fazes a horse...
Ahh, I haven't seen the article but I can see what you mean. I'd probably consider using a piece of flat clear plastic (the type that modern electronic items come in... you know, the type that usually draws blood and is likely to be around with the cockroaches and Twinkies in a thousand years?) behind it for support. Also, I'm going to visit the LHS and grab either some I-beams or some channels to use for the bottom part of the boxcab frame (as seen in your photo of the prototype). This plus the roof details that I've already done should make it very easy to finish up my box cab. And I'm definitely not a rivet counter. As long as mine passes the 5-foot test, I'm happy. In fact, as long as mine do a good job of reminding someone of the prototype, then that's just fine by me. I just enjoy building and running the trains, and especially sharing that experience with my kids. That's what it's all about!
It's almost September! So how many of us have accepted the challenge? I'm going to try and count up to see who's in and who's on the fence, but other than MC and myself, who's in? Pipe up and make yourself known so I can check my list.
List? Are you leaning like a boat with a bilge problem? Or just three sheets to the wind? Jeez, a list sounds kinda formal. I just figured people could post if they want to. As long as it's a powered boxcab & it's done before Nov. 23, I'm taking the approach that EVERYONE is "in" (including Mark Watson), and whoever doesn't post something in Nov. is just a giant loser. (Why do I have a feeling those words are going to come back & bite me in the boxcab later...)
For the record, I am still officially procrastinating. Hoping to see some good shells for cheap at the Great Train Expo that will be fun to butcher & get the rivets. Or I might go wood. I dunno. I'm stll procrastinating. Actually, I'll start procrastinating tomorrow. Maybe.
Nonsense, precrastination is the way to go! As for the list, nothing formal, my son is just very excited about all of this so he wanted to see who's actually making progress towards showing something in November. No pressure anyone! This is just for fun. Enjoy it and share if you dare. Sincerely, Franz Liszt p.s.- Oh, and you "wood" procrastinate, "wooden" you! (this is subliminal peer pressure, of course)
I think it is pretty obvious that I am in. BTW, got a headlight fitted up on one end last night before bed, pictures later......
The Harlem Transfer in the Bronx, NY had something similar called a "steam dummy" - an 0-4-0 steam switcher with a metal sheet body. The reasoning was that the naked steam engine was thought to spook horses, like you mentioned, but they realized that horses weren't spooked by streetcars. Thus, the steam loco in streetcar clothing look. "whirling blender of death... " That's a good one!
"Put me in Coach"! What the heck. I'm game and I gotta finish my boxcab! Oh, and I apologize for being about 24 hours behind everyone else on this internet thingy. My house is going on 4 days without power, courtesy of "Irene", and I only have computer access at work. Gotta go... My boss is calling me... (I think he can hear my Dremel!)
