Best Of ACL MEC low side gondola , interest ? ESM please read .

[Iain]

Dude, I am so stoked.  Even if the number of panels is wrong for NS cars, it's still closer than using, say, and Atlas gon.   Also, ACL.

Put me down for two, at least.

[garethashenden]

Just to check, the estimated price is $7.67 plus trucks, couplers, decals?

[bbussey]

Absolutely not.  The trucks and couplers combined have a higher selling price.  That is the current MSRP based on expenditures to date.  The brass floors remain to be milled, parts remain to be etched, and OEM detail parts remain to be procured.  The foam nest remains to be designed and die-cut.  Figure on the final MSRP to be somewhere in the mid-high $20s.

CORRECTION —  I just reread your question.  The $7.67 is what the projected MSRP is currently, based on what the cost expenditure has been to date.  There still remain additional costs to be incurred besides procuring the trucks and couplers (such as making the molds and pouring the castings) that will be factored in as we encounter them.

[Scottl]

This is fascinating to watch and learn.

[bbussey]

February 2014 update:  Kept the master in the Bestine soup for a week, and now it's out.





You can see all the rivet and relief detail is present.  Off to mold-making later this month.

Stages remaining:
• Rendering of rubber molds of ProJet master
• Rendering of polyurethane resin castings from rubber molds
• Procurement of OEM parts (trucks, couplers, body details, decals)
• Milling of brass floors
• Die-cutting of foam nests
• Printing of paper inserts
• Writing the online instructions

Duration of project to date in actual time:  52 weeks
Total man-hours invested to date:  37
Total material cost expended to date:  $307
Projected unit MSRP based on current material cost:  $7.67

[bbussey]

The rapid prototype master is on the way to the contractor to be molded and cast.  So the interim time can be used to start artwork for the decals.  First step is to load up the digital model in SolidWorks and make a tracing for the artwork template.



The sketches created from the tracings are saved into an AutoCad DXF ...



... and then imported into CorelDraw, where they are saved and locked into a separate master layer.  The traced line drawings insures the template is an exact replica of the actual model.



Next, a color layer is added.



Now the template is set to begin the decal artwork.  The easiest scheme to start with is the original MEC scheme, which is replicated on Richie's Ertl model.  Most of the graphics are standard railroad roman condensed, and digital calipers are used to measure the height of the letters on the HO model.  It doesn't have to be a precise measurement — since the railroads used standard increments, getting the approximation makes it obvious what the scale measurements should be.  The measurements taken from the calipers are multiplied by 87.1 to get the approximate 1:1 number.  The corrected 1:1 number is then divided by 160 to reduce to N.  In this case, the MEC is ten inches tall; the 17080 is eight inches; the reporting mark stripes are an inch tall; the capacity data are 2½ inches; and the inside length lettering is two inches.  The end reporting marks are assumed to be 2½ inches.



This took relatively little time.  All that's left is the herald, but that will have to be researched and drawn.  A search online has not turned up the original rectangular herald, and there is no Maine Central historical society to tap.  The herald on the Ertl car could be scanned and traced, but the artwork would have to be verified first.  So some time will have to be invested to produce the final needed artwork for this scheme.

The green MEC probably will not be difficult, as most of the lettering is Railroad Block.  The two ACL schemes will take some time due to their unique fonts.  Since I have the SCL heralds and fonts in the digital archives, the most difficult task for that scheme will be finding a clean pic of the prototype that shows all the data.

Stages remaining:
• Rendering of rubber molds of ProJet master — in progress
• Rendering of polyurethane resin castings from rubber molds — in progress
• Procurement of OEM parts (trucks, couplers, body details, decals)
• Milling of brass floors
• Etching of the brass floor tops and brakebox
• Die-cutting of foam nests
• Printing of paper inserts
• Writing the online assembly instructions

Duration of project to date in actual time:  53 weeks
Total man-hours invested to date:  40
Total material cost expended to date:  $307
Projected unit MSRP based on current material cost:  $7.67

[Chris333]

How many possible paint schemes have you found for this car?

[wcfn100]

Which MEC herald are you looking for?

edit: This one?



Jason

[bbussey]

How many possible paint schemes have you found for this car?

Five prototypical ones.  Two ACL, two MEC, one SCL.

Which MEC herald are you looking for?
edit: This one?

Yep.  That be da one.

[wcfn100]

Five prototypical ones.  Two ACL, two MEC, one SCL.

Yep.  That be da one.

Atlas did that on one of the 1932 ARA cars, maybe they can help you out.

Jason

[mecgp7]

Concord Car Shops produced decals with that MEC herald. They are no longer produced, but they are still available. In fact, the decal sheet would decorate the entire car.
I have a few sets. Perhaps you could copy the herald?? Happy to share.

[bbussey]

Atlas did that on one of the 1932 ARA cars, maybe they can help you out.

True, but I'm try not to use favor-chits with them for these types of projects since I rely on them for some of the more important injection-molded projects.

Concord Car Shops produced decals with that MEC herald. They are no longer produced, but they are still available. In fact, the decal sheet would decorate the entire car.
I have a few sets. Perhaps you could copy the herald?? Happy to share.

If you have the ability to scan it in as large a size as possible to a digital file, that would be helpful.

[u18b]

hey Bryan,

I'm floored by this project.  Thanks.

But you know, I've tried to get you to do a Q cab for SCL almost the whole 27 years I have known you.  Hahaha.

Who knew if I had only worked harder, I could have gotten you to do it?
 

Thankfully, the Q cab wait is over thanks to Shapeways.

[garethashenden]

The Boston & Maine Historical Society has a good amount of MEC material. There is also the 470 club which is kinda-sorta the MEC Historical Society.

[Ian MacMillan]

 Can also try the Conway Scenic RR which has restored several MEC cars if you cant copy the decals.