PRR DB4 containers Who wants to make'em?

[Dave V]

I'm in for a set...  For 1956 I'm good for either shadow keystone or circle keystone.

[Chris333]

Strange 

[eric220]

Strange 

I just got that too.

[TrainCat2]

I was in the process of migrating to a new server. Sorry about that.

[TrainCat2]

I also have the artwork ready for the PRR K-7a and all variants of the N6. I just do not have the time so I would be willing to give the decal artwork (Which was done right on top of the brass artwork) to someone who would produce the decals for sale.

[chicken45]

I'm in for two: 1 circle and 1 shadow ketstone.

[Ian MacMillan]

Damn. Very nice and quick work DKS. Now if only those pole transformers would appear!

[DKS]

Now if only those pole transformers would appear!

After being on indefinite hold, the pole transformers are back in the works. The issue I was having originally was that they were almost impossible to de-mold. I've since switched to a different, much higher quality mold material, and I believe the problem will be solved.

Getting back to the DB4s, there will be a slight delay in their release. While sifting through some reference images, I came across one that I had not paid enough attention to when I was mastering the container. Unfortunately it showed that I had interpreted certain parts completely wrong--specifically, the braces attached to the lift loops. So, I stripped the master back down to the core styrene block, and completely re-mastered it, rendering the lift loop brackets properly, complete with guide roller for the lift chains.



Each of the two lift loops consists of five parts: the loop, two brackets, the roller and the roller axle.



I also took the opportunity to make other improvements, including better definition for the hatch parts, and the double-row of rivets along the bottom sides under the drain holes. I think the results are worth the extra effort.

[chicken45]

You bet they are! Amazing! I can't how much better they look!

[Scottl]

This is a great bit of modelling  to follow along with.  Makes me want to post a "who wants to make'em" thread myself!

I must admit to being a bit confused about how these containers were used in practice.  They have a top hatch, but how would materials be emptied out of them? Access from the top hatch would be very inefficient for unloading unless you could vacuum them out.  The top hardware suggests to me they were not dumped upside down.  A bit off topic, but I'm just interested in how these were deployed.

[Chris333]

This is a great bit of modelling  to follow along with.  Makes me want to post a "who wants to make'em" thread myself!

I must admit to being a bit confused about how these containers were used in practice.  They have a top hatch, but how would materials be emptied out of them? Access from the top hatch would be very inefficient for unloading unless you could vacuum them out.  The top hardware suggests to me they were not dumped upside down.  A bit off topic, but I'm just interested in how these were deployed.

http://www.kohs.com/PRR%20G22b%20Pages/Container%20Prod%20Sample%20Photos/Container%20Prod%20Sample%20Photo%2002.html

[eric220]

Getting back to the DB4s, there will be a slight delay in their release. While sifting through some reference images, I came across one that I had not paid enough attention to when I was mastering the container. Unfortunately it showed that I had interpreted certain parts completely wrong--specifically, the braces attached to the lift loops. So, I stripped the master back down to the core styrene block, and completely re-mastered it, rendering the lift loop brackets properly, complete with guide roller for the lift chains.



Each of the two lift loops consists of five parts: the loop, two brackets, the roller and the roller axle.



I also took the opportunity to make other improvements, including better definition for the hatch parts, and the double-row of rivets along the bottom sides under the drain holes. I think the results are worth the extra effort.

And I'm spent. I still swear that you must be able to reduce yourself at least to O scale size to make this stuff.

[Scottl]

Thanks for that link to the bottom doors.  Neat little things.

[Lemosteam]

David, what you do astounds me.  Between you and peteski this week I'm blown away.

I have one request since the patient is open.  The thought occured to me that one might want to have a container in the hoisted state, meaning the lift chanis would be taught as if hanging from a crane.  Could this state be modeled or would one be better off chiseling the "at rest" lift chains off the model and making thier own?  Maybe sell one-offs of the original master without the lift chanins <<(read more income  ) 

What did you use to make the lif rings if they cannot be modeled?  Did you happen to take a close-up shot of your wound lift chains?

[DKS]

Thanks for the kind words. Casting the container in the lifted position is not an option. I could offer "chainless" containers for modelers to add their own; I'll have to give this some thought. The chains and loops are nothing more than solenoid wire, wrapped twice around a rod to make the loop, twisted tightly to form the chain, then brushed with CA to keep everything together.