FUD to the rescue

[up1950s]

Yeah Richie, that's where the 20-44's hung out all right. Unfortunately, it's not the shell that's the problem, it's the 27' truck centers that's the challenge...
Otto K.

The prototype Alco FA-1 is 27'2" 

[wcfn100]

The prototype Alco FA-1 is 27'2"

Then the FT-A should be close as well. 

Jason

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks guys, I know; the FT A is 27'-3" and B unit 26'-6". Intermountain fudged at 27' for both which would be perfect, except both the FA and FT are full width body castings. I wonder whether it would be easier to stretch a VO or cut down an H16-44?
Otto

[up1950s]

Thanks guys, I know; the FT A is 27'-3" and B unit 26'-6". Intermountain fudged at 27' for both which would be perfect, except both the FA and FT are full width body castings. I wonder whether it would be easier to stretch a VO or cut down an H16-44?
Otto

GP-15 is 29 , might work as is .

[Cajonpassfan]

GP-15 is 29 , might work as is .

Hmm, Richie, too new for me so I never paid attention and obviously don't own one. Is the model truck spacing accurate, or did Atlas just use a standard Geep mechanism?

And now back to regular programming....
I cleaned the water tower thoroughly and hit it with a light base coat of light gray. I do like the color, but it sure brings out all the sins of 3D printing, especially under magnification. Still I'm very happy with the model. I need to fix the broken brace which makes one of the legs bow in, and it will get a new ladder and a rusty roof, as well as some weathering. I need to experiment with that, don't want to bring out unwanted "detail"... see pics below.
Otto

[up1950s]

Hmm, Richie, too new for me so I never paid attention and obviously don't own one. Is the model truck spacing accurate, or did Atlas just use a standard Geep mechanism?

And now back to regular programming....
I cleaned the water tower thoroughly and hit it with a light base coat of light gray. I do like the color, but it sure brings out all the sins of 3D printing, especially under magnification. Still I'm very happy with the model. I need to fix the broken brace which makes one of the legs bow in, and it will get a new ladder and a rusty roof, as well as some weathering. I need to experiment with that, don't want to bring out unwanted "detail"... see pics below.
Otto

Don't know , but if I had a shell , I would buy one to find out . Can't be that much off if any , it's Atlas after all and they don't do things in a half assed way like that . Further I think their Blumberg and AAR trucks are interchangeable . Not sure if pivot point is centered in the truck , kinda wish not as that would help span fudging . Even as a worst case one could extend or reduce the frame a touch with a shim in a saw kerf or kerf reduction .

[Cajonpassfan]

Well, here it is, painted and weathered... Not bad for FUD, eh?
If I only had more of the engine house pics, that would be the next project...
Otto K.

[draskouasshat]

nice job otto! That turned out great!

Adam Draskovich

[dnhouston]

Looks great Otto

[draskouasshat]

Don't judge the horrible hand paint job bit here's my shell. I have a bit more body work to do on the cab.it's an atlas h16-44 shell that's been shortened. I also used the cab face from a vo-1000 to finish the cab. It's not the prettiest but it'll look good one I find a mechanism to try.

Adam Draskovich [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[crappie]

 Im using the cab from a Mintrix FM switcher on mine

[ryan_wilkerson]

I just saw the $10 off sale at Shapeways for 12/21.
Code takes it down to $48.83 
Code: FROSTY2015
http://www.shapeways.com/product/9BVW54TAG/n-scale-southern-pacific-65-000-gallon-water-tower

[Cajonpassfan]

Adam, David, thank you. Still a lot of work to do on the engine terminal, but it's a good start with a prominent structure. Drasko, I had a similar idea for an H20-44, but was holding off until I can find a suitable mechanism. The FM H20-44 probably deserves its own thread, I'm sure others would be interested. I know I am, I need 3 of them...
Attaching comparison plans for the H15/16-44 which is available to us, and the H20-44 which isn't.
Finding a good mech would be terrific.
Best, Otto