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Post by edgecrusher on Aug 8, 2023 10:46:44 GMT -8
Since its your hobby time and your materials, I think the biggest question should be "what will YOU get the most enjoyment out of?". Do you like the challenge of taking the old kit and making something presentable out of it? Or would a scratch build be more enjoyable? As a spectator I'm more than happy to see either.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 8, 2023 11:39:23 GMT -8
Q for those of you who voted to adapt the kit rather than scratch build: Does the above information change your view? I changed my vote accordingly... Thanks for the update. That makes perfect sense given the new information. |
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Aug 8, 2023 12:21:21 GMT -8
Since its your hobby time and your materials, I think the biggest question should be "what will YOU get the most enjoyment out of?". Do you like the challenge of taking the old kit and making something presentable out of it? Or would a scratch build be more enjoyable? As a spectator I'm more than happy to see either. This. Use bits of the kit that you can make work and scratchbuild the rest is fine by me too. I'm not going to change my vote; I love seeing what silk purses people can make from sow's ears. But I like seeing nice builds of anything. |
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 8, 2023 15:39:54 GMT -8
Being in the first choice column, I will remain as stated, with liberal reimagination, use or replacement of "foreign" parts as necessary. This would be much along the rules here in Michigan on home rebuilding. As long as you leave a substantial portion of one original wall in place it is a restoration and not a new build.  And the building inspector and tax assessor treats it as such. Any post that wanders from the why the heck can't Wonder Widgets get the new Speeder they promised in 2014 built? makes me happy. Unless it's an inquiry about an Alco T-6.  Proceed, persist...  |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 8, 2023 16:02:58 GMT -8
Juneco has offered craftsman wood kits of both CN and CP cabooses since the mid-1970s. Originally the kits came in a box including CDS dry transfer lettering but the packaging and SKU have been updated. Box and lettering are gone. Still a popular kit!
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Post by Christian on Aug 8, 2023 16:14:42 GMT -8
No change of vote. BUT, its your project and its clear you don't want to kitbash the MDC kit to bring it closer to the prototype. Since you want a closer model than possible with the MDC kit, you should junk it and move on. Remove that option from the poll and proceed accordingly. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 8, 2023 17:28:57 GMT -8
Thanks very much Christian for your reply. I appreciate the votes by you and everyone and of course my initial intentions with this thread were very democratic in nature. And trust me, I was really pumped to try and rework those fun old MDC kits as the majority of you want. But as I really put the model under "digital camera" type scrutiny it has become clear that it is actually MORE work to kitbash it than to scratchbuild. Many around here wax poetic about the glory days of blue box and MDC kits but compared to modern technology these old kits just don't cut it anymore. Remember that most of us today are continually blessed with beautiful models from Tangent et al but to not put our old beloved kits under the same scrutiny. Coupled with hi-res digital cameras and large photos, we all see and expect much more now than we ever have from our models. I will still try to salvage what I can out of these tired old cars and at this point it is looking like the roof, K cylinder, toolbox, weights and a couple of screws are the most salvageable. I will continue to update this thread with more photos to show where this goes. The continued likes, posts, votes and comments remain highly appreciated even if I don't always follow the crowd!
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Post by Christian on Aug 9, 2023 1:16:27 GMT -8
Thanks very much Christian for your reply. I appreciate the votes by you and everyone and of course my initial intentions with this thread were very democratic in nature. And trust me, I was really pumped to try and rework those fun old MDC kits as the majority of you want. But as I really put the model under "digital camera" type scrutiny it has become clear that it is actually MORE work to kitbash it than to scratchbuild. Many around here wax poetic about the glory days of blue box and MDC kits but compared to modern technology these old kits just don't cut it anymore. Remember that most of us today are continually blessed with beautiful models from Tangent et al but to not put our old beloved kits under the same scrutiny. Coupled with hi-res digital cameras and large photos, we all see and expect much more now than we ever have from our models. I will still try to salvage what I can out of these tired old cars and at this point it is looking like the roof, K cylinder, toolbox, weights and a couple of screws are the most salvageable. I will continue to update this thread with more photos to show where this goes. The continued likes, posts, votes and comments remain highly appreciated even if I don't always follow the crowd! Expressed very well. One more point. You wrote the book on Canadian vans/cabooses. You have to make your models correctly. Whereas if I were to make a CP van model I would choose "close is good enough" simply because a CP caboose is interesting, but not my principal interest. Evan Hendrickson's brass/Tangent caboose hybrid is another example of where the model builder's specific interest makes them choose an approach which, to me, is a lot more work than placing a "close enough" Tangent caboose onto the rails. |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 9, 2023 6:04:19 GMT -8
This gorgeous RTR plastic model was released by TLT in 2008. These remain popular as well and tend to be expensive. They were never released in plywood or short versions and I hate spending all the money climbing over other bidders to cut these up for kitbashing. Better to start with the cheaper kits or even scratchbuild for what I have in mind.
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Post by cemr5396 on Aug 9, 2023 6:50:42 GMT -8
If you don't want to kitbash the MDC one, and you don't want to kitbash a TLT one, then don't. Scratchbuild to your heart's content.
You don't need to ask US permission to do anything.
I get the idea of the original post but if you have since come to the conclusion that a kitbash is not as good idea as you thought it was, then don't sweat it.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 9, 2023 8:30:34 GMT -8
MDC shell and 35' 5" underframe with grey Kaslo 34' 10" underframe above. The MDC body shell needs to have 9" removed from each end to achieve correct body length. Distance between truck centers is a little off on both.
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Post by soolinerr on Aug 9, 2023 10:21:14 GMT -8
My issue was with the survey. Now that its out of the way this should be an interesting build to watch. " You don't need to ask US permission to do anything."
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 10, 2023 3:36:38 GMT -8
" You don't need to ask US permission to do anything."
But IF you are asking...Permission Granted...
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 14, 2023 16:28:14 GMT -8
Rather than to spend $100 per beautiful Kaslo kit, I decided to spend $20 on materials and scratchbuild my own wood vans. The MDC cars are still on the bench, looking less and less useful each day.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 16, 2023 9:18:47 GMT -8
35' 5" wood caboose underframes, ends and sides.
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Post by Colin 't Hart on Aug 17, 2023 0:10:31 GMT -8
3 cabooses on the go simultaneously? Love it!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 17, 2023 3:21:17 GMT -8
3 cabooses on the go simultaneously? Love it! Eight. Stay tuned.  |
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 21, 2023 6:57:34 GMT -8
I suspect many of you are thinking the RTR TLT model has largely negated the need for this type of work. Just remember though, there's only one TLT siding and window configuration but the prototype had a few types. This project will address two specific variations in siding, windows, end detailing, trucks and paint that are otherwise not available merely by clicking or calling in a credit card order to a vendor. Stick around and you'll see what I mean. 
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Aug 21, 2023 11:47:19 GMT -8
???Standing buy…
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Post by cpr4200 on Aug 21, 2023 20:07:14 GMT -8
Atlas bought the tooling for the TLT cabooses (CP and CN, including the modern PSC car). No idea if or when they plan to release them, but they have run the slab side covered hoppers already.
I need a model of 434098, a plywood van that was assigned to trains 80/81 out of Newport, VT. Had considered sheathing one of my TLT's or building a resin kit. Going to follow this project very closely.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 23, 2023 5:15:40 GMT -8
Hmmm what to do with all those leftover etch frames from old projects?
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 24, 2023 10:31:21 GMT -8
Why, use them to make caboose steps of course!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 25, 2023 11:44:04 GMT -8
Check out what is possible with fine tip smooth jaw pliers!
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 26, 2023 10:52:36 GMT -8
Make sure steps are parallel. You will need two supports on each end for a total of four supports or two complete leftover frets for each desired van. You can get enough for one wood van from a single package of Plano 454s if you're careful when removing the original parts.
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Post by cemr5396 on Aug 26, 2023 11:08:51 GMT -8
you're a mad man.
but in, like, a good way? LOL
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Post by sd40dash2 on Aug 27, 2023 12:35:03 GMT -8
Step supports and wood frames for two vans.
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Post by edgecrusher on Aug 31, 2023 13:45:33 GMT -8
Wow, that is really fantastic work.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 7, 2023 5:59:40 GMT -8
OK here are the installed toolbox mounts on 1 van and upgraded steel under frame cross-members on the other.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 9, 2023 9:28:27 GMT -8
35' 5" roof from .010 sheet. Rest assured the part is straighter than my photo and scribbles. Always measure more than once.
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Post by sd40dash2 on Sept 9, 2023 9:29:13 GMT -8
Wow, that is really fantastic work. Thank you for your kindness. |
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