|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 4, 2019 11:19:30 GMT -8
Re: the SDL39 project... mind you this is just my opinion but I would be willing to bet a lot of $$$ if you were to bring out EMD stanchions first you'd sell a TON of the things which IMHO would help bankroll the SDL39. I know I'd be in for a LOT of them. Just a thought. Just need some better detail shots and measurements to get to work on them. The channel is 1 1/2 x 2 3/8 going from memory. The focus is to get the heights correct. They won't go through multiple iterations during production so shrinkage won't be such an issue. Have a base for the tree coming from the contract shop so I can possibly make the entire tree in CAD. Shipping will be the decider if they are done that way. I'm thinking too many parts will fall off during transport but we'll see. Will save a lot of labor versus doing a few thousand manually if it works.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 4, 2019 14:37:13 GMT -8
I researched and wrote an article years ago that laid out a number of facts about the Milwaukee's bankruptcy, so when I say Meyers is off base I do know what I am talking about. Long story short; The PCE was profitable even after losing a large amount of traffic after '74. (Was profitable in 77, the year they filed, and '78 iirc.) This came out in late '79 after the consultants went through the (cooked)books. The rest of the railroad, just like the other grangers, wasn't. I remember reading about the Pacific Extension an how there was a boom of traffic in the 1970's; I don't remember the time frame and it could have been after the overhead wires were discontinued (in 1974?). In the early 70's traffic surged due to the conditions of the BN merger which gave the MILW access to more western interchange points (If a car was consigned to a business in Seattle the MILW had to hand it over to BN at St. Paul prior to this) along with Portland OR and interchange with the SP. Business was doing well and growing until a combination of worsening track and car supply issues, both essentially self inflicted, caused it to stall then decline from the mid 70's forward. Shutting down the electrification right at the time of the first oil crisis didn't help either. While the Boxcabs were on their last legs, the Joes were far from it and were great for both operating costs and increasing velocity across the Rocky Mtn division. Concerning profitability, the employee led group looking to purchase the PCE had the backing of banks willing to finance it. The ICC nixed it.
|
|
|
Post by edgecrusher on Mar 6, 2019 10:08:14 GMT -8
Re: the SDL39 project... mind you this is just my opinion but I would be willing to bet a lot of $$$ if you were to bring out EMD stanchions first you'd sell a TON of the things which IMHO would help bankroll the SDL39. I know I'd be in for a LOT of them. Just a thought. Just need some better detail shots and measurements to get to work on them. The channel is 1 1/2 x 2 3/8 going from memory. The focus is to get the heights correct. They won't go through multiple iterations during production so shrinkage won't be such an issue. Have a base for the tree coming from the contract shop so I can possibly make the entire tree in CAD. Shipping will be the decider if they are done that way. I'm thinking too many parts will fall off during transport but we'll see. Will save a lot of labor versus doing a few thousand manually if it works. Here is one of a great many EMD handrail support drawings I've come across. Of course the overall heights change depending on where they're going, but all the other dimensions are pretty consistent. The two 1/2" holes at the top are for plug welding the support to the railing. So you could probably skip those in HO. Hope this helps some.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 6, 2019 17:02:41 GMT -8
My google skills must be fading as I can't come up with any others. Thanks for that drawing though. Need one for the end supports now. Also, a couple shots of production SD10 kits also showing both styles of air intakes. I have those parts available separately. Kit attaches same as the Walthers parts it replaces. Lines West Products SD10 kit
|
|
|
Post by edgecrusher on Mar 7, 2019 7:16:03 GMT -8
My google skills must be fading as I can't come up with any others. Thanks for that drawing though. Need one for the end supports now.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 7, 2019 8:34:55 GMT -8
My google skills must be fading as I can't come up with any others. Thanks for that drawing though. Need one for the end supports now.
Perfect! Thanks for these.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 8, 2019 18:51:19 GMT -8
The not fun part of being a model train manufacturer.
|
|
|
Post by edgecrusher on Mar 11, 2019 6:53:16 GMT -8
And a car guy to boot! I'm guessing you don't have much free time.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Mar 11, 2019 12:31:38 GMT -8
And a car guy to boot! I'm guessing you don't have much free time. Well, I do need to work on my time management a bit... The race car is on hold for now. But yes, into cars as well. That is why I'd like to come out with some 1:87 medium duty 60's/70's trucks and various cars. Lean towards the muscle cars but the standard mom and pop stuff was far more common on the roads.
|
|
|
Post by slowfreight on Mar 12, 2019 5:35:47 GMT -8
Daily drivers are what I really need. Muscle cars look really out of place in the inner city, especially more than one.
|
|
|
Post by GP40P-2 on Apr 30, 2019 19:05:19 GMT -8
I finally got one of these ordered.
You haven't mentioned that you have BN conversions, a GP20, caboose trucks, and detail parts. Good stuff! You are doing more in the detail market right now than anyone else!
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on Apr 30, 2019 20:55:34 GMT -8
I finally got one of these ordered. You haven't mentioned that you have BN conversions, a GP20, caboose trucks, and detail parts. Good stuff! You are doing more in the detail market right now than anyone else! I just happened to glance at Analytics and saw a big spike in traffic. Now I know why. hah I've been adding to the product line up but didn't want to carpet bomb the forum as I added each thing. Working on a MILW Thrall caboose right now. (Along with the SDL as I can of course) Will also have some N scale stuff soon as there have been a lot of requests for the current stuff in that scale. Very close to having a 24x60 standard plan depot ready to go along with some maintenance structures in both HO and N. Always open to suggestions. Especially needed detail parts as those are not so time consuming to design and produce. The BN conversions include a SD 7/9 chop nose and matching cab so that may save those hunting for SD26 cabs some time. Those that are on Facebook and would like to see what is being worked on follow my page here; Lines West ProductsAnd the website is lineswestproducts.com
|
|
|
Post by roadkill on May 1, 2019 7:22:32 GMT -8
Found a cabless P2K SD9 I didn't know I had, just ordered one of your kits from your Ebay store to fix that problem .
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 1, 2019 8:38:13 GMT -8
Found a cabless P2K SD9 I didn't know I had, just ordered one of your kits from your Ebay store to fix that problem . MOAR SD10's. btw-Coulda saved 10% going through the website/signing up for newsletter. Thanks for the order!
|
|
|
Post by roadkill on May 1, 2019 9:23:50 GMT -8
Meh, what's a few bucks ? I will sign up for that newsletter tho! edit: forgot, I already did LOL!
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 1, 2019 9:57:07 GMT -8
btw-If someone knows about BN GP10 fuel tanks drop me a note. I have a side elevation but not positive on the tank contour. The conversion kit for those isn't really complete until I add that part.
|
|
|
Post by Colin 't Hart on May 2, 2019 0:53:22 GMT -8
May I suggest asking over on groups.io/g/BNlist ? That list is no way near as active as it used to be, but you might get lucky.
|
|
|
Post by brakie on May 2, 2019 8:23:51 GMT -8
Perhaps my old eyeballs missed it and I looked twice.
Can the stock P2K SD9 handrails be used?
I think that would be a perfect project for killing time in a old folks home.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 2, 2019 11:22:59 GMT -8
Perhaps my old eyeballs missed it and I looked twice. Can the stock P2K SD9 handrails be used? I think that would be a perfect project for killing time in a old folks home. Yes. SD10's had the standard EMD handrails so no changes needed. Most were originally SD7's while, going from memory, the last 5 were SD9's. The last 6 also used the unique Farr Dynacells which are included with the kit. Was told only 13 locomotives ever had those applied. The 6 SD10's and 7 units on the C&IM. The steps were changed on the 7's. Something most people overlook when doing these.
|
|
|
Post by thb401 on May 2, 2019 14:32:27 GMT -8
Do you plan on offering the CP Rail fuel tank like on #534? Looks great, Bill
|
|
|
Post by tony on May 3, 2019 6:32:46 GMT -8
The parts appear to be nicely done and if they snap into place and fit perfect that's great. Having lite-able number boards is nice, but what was the plan for the number board? Do I have to cut and shape those to fit? What about windows? Same?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2019 15:23:14 GMT -8
The parts appear to be nicely done and if they snap into place and fit perfect that's great. Having lite-able number boards is nice, but what was the plan for the number board? Do I have to cut and shape those to fit? What about windows? Same? From reading the description on the cab kits, you get number board inserts and window glazing. Greg
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 3, 2019 15:44:16 GMT -8
A functionally correct GE cab would be sooooo welcome to replace the utterly dysfunctional one's on all of the U series Atlas GE units I have. KV Models is going the other direction with metal etching for GE's. One part happens to be the fairing piece for the early U33C. He's also working on radiators and screens for U series GE's. All general knowledge on his Facebook page. Here's their web. kvmodels.com/Greg
|
|
|
Post by 12bridge on May 3, 2019 15:58:29 GMT -8
Scott at KV makes some GREAT stuff....
...but boy do I wish he would A) use Brass and not Stainless, and B) smaller sprues on the parts.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 3, 2019 16:14:43 GMT -8
Do you plan on offering the CP Rail fuel tank like on #534? Looks great, Bill Well, being optimistic I ordered 6 sets of decals (along with a whole lot more MILW) for the Soo/CP/DME SD10 kits. I still have 5. Unless there is a sudden surge in interest 534's fuel tank is unlikely.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 3, 2019 16:19:18 GMT -8
The parts appear to be nicely done and if they snap into place and fit perfect that's great. Having lite-able number boards is nice, but what was the plan for the number board? Do I have to cut and shape those to fit? What about windows? Same? The number boards are press fit. The "light pipe" portion may need minor trimming but the board face is a tight fit. The SD10 kits have glazing inserts. The glazing inserts should be sanded lightly with very fine grit and then clear coated before installation. One does not want to take much material off as they are designed for a flush fit. The other kits use acetate for the glazing bit all kit's use the number board inserts. The center windows are installed in this pic.
|
|
|
Post by trainmanjeff on May 6, 2019 2:14:28 GMT -8
I’m following this thread with a lot of interest. I love the SDL 39 project. I have a Kaslo boyshell for it, but the challenge has been an acceptable drive. I’ve seen the former Kaslo release with the Bowser Drive they used. It sat too high and didn’t look good. What are you planning in terms of a drive?
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 6, 2019 8:38:19 GMT -8
The drive as far as what motor it will have is not set in stone as yet, but I am leaning towards one that is well known for quality and availability. Not naming names but it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out. And it will MU well with an RSC2.5 just like the prototype on the Viroqua branch.
My gearing source is closing up shop so I am now looking into other options there. Off the shelf gearing will work fine as it's simply repositioning the idler gears to get the correct axle spacing. Getting a reliable, repeatable source is the focus as the SDL will be made in small batches unlike the norm in the industry today.
Plan to have a complete prototype in a couple months with the kit version being available shortly after. The decorated models will come later.
Been a pretty busy few months with the conversion kits, the Thrall caboose project, depot projects in N and HO and getting a shop lease lined up. Still have the Western Maryland GP chop nose and MILW RSC 2.5 conversions to do yet along with the BN GP10 fuel tank as well. Should still hit my target of having the SDL available while it's warm out yet this year.
|
|
|
Post by thunderhawk on May 6, 2019 8:47:29 GMT -8
A functionally correct GE cab would be sooooo welcome to replace the utterly dysfunctional one's on all of the U series Atlas GE units I have. KV Models is going the other direction with metal etching for GE's. One part happens to be the fairing piece for the early U33C. He's also working on radiators and screens for U series GE's. All general knowledge on his Facebook page. Here's their web. kvmodels.com/Greg Accurate drawings and a cab can be made for Atlas GE's. The downside is if the windows are wrong that means new ones of either acetate sheet or "molded" like on my SD10 kits which are more difficult to not only make but install. I don't have one and have never really looked so I'm curious what is wrong with it? Have seen comments about the Atlas GP40 cab being wrong as well but as I recall it measured out correct. (I have one and measured it months ago, however my memory is measured in days. May be thinking of something else.)
|
|
|
Post by roadkill on May 6, 2019 8:52:01 GMT -8
Still have the Western Maryland GP chop nose WM CHOP NOSES??? ? I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!!
|
|