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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 19, 2014 7:00:12 GMT -8
I've diverged from my usual tank car builds to take on this project. The AHM hopper is a crude toy train car. With a lot of effort it can be made into a nice car. The car is a foot to short in height to start with, so compromises    must be made. Destructing the car takes many hours. I rebuilt the end platforms because they were to thick and clunky looking. The bottom end horizontal rib was removed so I could thin the upper one. There's a gap between the two on the prototype so this action allowed the gap. I laminated the ribs to achieve a clean look. The V ribs are larger at the bottom on the prototype, so the laminated ones allowed me to accomplish that. The side vertical ribs were to small, so cut them off to be replaced by .060 half round Evergreen styrene. I placed the strengthening rap aground the hoppers as per the prototype. Lots more to do, but the fun is in the build! Regards, Bobby |
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Post by TBird1958 on Jun 19, 2014 7:32:17 GMT -8
Bobby, it's great so far!
I'll be saving your shots as a guide to finally rebuild one of mine.
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Post by onequiknova on Jun 19, 2014 7:48:30 GMT -8
Nice, clean work so far. I look forward to seeing it progress.
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 19, 2014 9:44:55 GMT -8
Thanks guys. Mark, being retired, I work on it everyday. One hard thing were the hopper bottoms. I got up this morning and put the gusets arround the flange, something I didn't look forward to. I hope my .060 half round comes in today or tomorrow so I can get that done. Google Flexi-Flow and you'll find a nice group of detail photos, I mean super nice! The car has a J-1 relay valve mounted above the ABDW valve. I've scratched six for my tank cars, so one more won't hurt. It also uses the heavy car hand brake gear box that has to be scratched, not hard at all.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 19, 2014 11:27:31 GMT -8
Awesome work as usual. What are you going to use for the hatches?
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 19, 2014 12:35:49 GMT -8
Awesome work as usual. What are you going to use for the hatches? The reason I was looking for a Walthers PD hopper was for parts. Unfortunately the only parts I can use are the hatches. They look good even though they're 24'' rather than 20". The Atlas pressure aid car may have what I need, but they're redoing their part listing. I did find a pair of ECW 125T trucks and will fit them with IM 38"semi-scale wheels. I'm glad you like it. Thanks, Bobby |
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Post by alcoc430 on Jun 19, 2014 14:24:43 GMT -8
Awesome work as usual. What are you going to use for the hatches? The reason I was looking for a Walthers PD hopper was for parts. Unfortunately the only parts I can use are the hatches. They look good even though they're 24'' rather than 20". The Atlas pressure aid car may have what I need, but they're redoing their part listing. I did find a pair of ECW 125T trucks and will fit them with IM 38"semi-scale wheels. I'm glad you like it. Thanks, Bobby I was looking at the atlas pressure aid hopper hatches, they better than nothing. Atlas has those hatches in stock. Its tedious to navigate the new layout of their website but they appear to be in stock. I have one walthers PD kit so I will look at those hatches maybe I will try to resin cast them if my resin has not expired  You probably already know and may even be the driving force behind it but in case you don't know on the following thread, atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/2589/plano-roofwalks, dti406 provided the following link for plano models that states that he is developing roof walk and Stanchions for the ahm model, www.planomodelproducts.com/10930/10930.html. |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 19, 2014 15:29:35 GMT -8
No, I didn't have anything to do with Keith's decision. The announcement was the driving force behind me digging out this22 year old project.
Thanks, Bobby
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Post by buffalobill on Jun 20, 2014 17:30:48 GMT -8
Bobby: Very nice, its almost like you are building it from scratch. Using a few parts from the AHM hulks. I gave up on a couple of these years ago. With your build, and the new Plano parts, looks like I might put them back in line.
Bill
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 20, 2014 18:06:35 GMT -8
Bill, you need to check out the detail photos on the Rustbucket forum. You can become a member or sign in as a guest. The thread is Conrail Flexi-Flo build. Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 21, 2014 5:28:29 GMT -8
Half the ribs have been installed, 16 more to go. Bobby  |
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Post by thebessemerkid on Jun 21, 2014 10:15:38 GMT -8
Really nice work.
Threads like this get me thinkin about the AHM helium and vinegar cars..
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 21, 2014 13:28:29 GMT -8
Really nice work. Threads like this get me thinkin about the AHM helium and vinegar cars.. Thank you sir. AHM made some unique cars that have potential, that's for sure. Regards, Bobby |
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Post by roadkill on Jun 22, 2014 13:59:40 GMT -8
Hmmmmm... might have to dig out my long dormant AHM Flexi-Flo rebuild...
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 22, 2014 14:41:14 GMT -8
Hmmmmm... might have to dig out my long dormant AHM Flexi-Flo rebuild... With the Plano upgrade kit to encourage you, go for it! Regards, Bobby |
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Post by roadkill on Jun 22, 2014 15:56:55 GMT -8
Bobby, that Plano kit got me thinking about it, but your pics may have pushed me over the edge  |
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Post by roadkill on Jun 22, 2014 15:59:32 GMT -8
Didn't Herald King do Penn Central Flexi-Flo decals way back when? I know HK decals may not be the most accurate by today's standards but they may be the only option for many models.
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Post by stevewagner on Jun 22, 2014 16:37:59 GMT -8
1. Highball Graphics (www.mgdecals.com) has Flexi-Flo decals, and I think they have them for Penn Central.
2. The New York Central System Historical Society's free on-line NYC Modeler had an article on an extensive rebuild of an AHM Flexi-Flo car within the last three years.
3. The August issue of Model Railroader is supposed to have an article on improving the AHM helium car to one of two or three levels of detail.
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Post by daveowens on Jun 22, 2014 18:44:33 GMT -8
Bobby, this project (and quite frankly, all of your projects) would make great magazine articles. I hope you'll consider lots of photos and explanation of what you do. With the new Plano kit coming out, those of us who have hoarded these cars over the years would benefit greatly from a detailed explanation of what you're doing.
So far, your car looks pretty amazing.
Thanks,
Dave Owens
West Hartford, Conn.
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jun 23, 2014 0:58:42 GMT -8
Thank you Dave. I'm taking more photos of this project than any I've done. I could explain each step to the degree that I'm capable, and that's not very much.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jul 2, 2014 0:11:18 GMT -8
I'm making progress. Notice the hatch covers, each contains 39 parts. The car is a PD car so the hatch covers have 5 locks like a tank car man way cover. The trucks are ECW 125T with the spring pack from IM 100T trucks. I reshaped the tops of the side frames to improve their looks.The hopper bottoms are hand shaped, and are a pain. Notice the gussets on the flange. I have no idea what the box is for on the A end, but it looks neat. Thanks, Bobby    |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jul 2, 2014 0:13:23 GMT -8
The last two.   |
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Post by bar on Jul 2, 2014 4:43:22 GMT -8
Great work, the hatch covers especially!
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jul 10, 2014 13:09:48 GMT -8
The plumbing is done! I've added the lifting lugs/jack pads, train line and IM 38" semi scale wheels. The scratched J-1 relay valve consists of 35 parts. It's mounted on top of the ABDW valve. Regards, Bobby    |
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Post by theengineshed on Jul 10, 2014 13:36:37 GMT -8
WOW! You've made a silk purse from a sow's ear...
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jul 10, 2014 13:50:18 GMT -8
Thanks bar, engine shed. I'm waiting on the Plano kit, but there's still lots to do.
Regards, Bobby
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Post by fr8kar on Jul 10, 2014 14:13:23 GMT -8
Bobby, is the relay valve to provide positive pressure to the car interior? I wonder if it's the same J-1 relay valve on a locomotive.
By the way, outstanding job, Bobby!
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Post by TBird1958 on Jul 10, 2014 14:20:41 GMT -8
Fantastic!
Always a treat to see your work Bobby, thank you for sharing it with us.
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2014 14:37:53 GMT -8
That plumbing job is mind blowing.
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Post by tankcarsrule on Jul 10, 2014 16:25:38 GMT -8
Thanks guys. The J-1 relay valve is used on heavy cars to help with the braking.
Regards, Bobby
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must be made. Destructing the car takes many hours. I rebuilt the end platforms because they were to thick and clunky looking. The bottom end horizontal rib was removed so I could thin the upper one. There's a gap between the two on the prototype so this action allowed the gap. I laminated the ribs to achieve a clean look. The V ribs are larger at the bottom on the prototype, so the laminated ones allowed me to accomplish that. The side vertical ribs were to small, so cut them off to be replaced by .060 half round Evergreen styrene. I placed the strengthening rap aground the hoppers as per the prototype. Lots more to do, but the fun is in the build!
