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

[Chris333]

If you haven't seen yet. SCL car on this page:
http://hawkinsrails.net/mainlines/stock/stock.htm

[bbussey]

If you haven't seen yet. SCL car on this page:
http://hawkinsrails.net/mainlines/stock/stock.htm

Ex-SAL.  More ribs than the ACL prototype.

[nwline]

Bryan

Any new updates for us ?

Dave

[bbussey]

The latest masters are done.  Waiting for a molding/casting slot to open up at the contractor.  The remainder of the G32C gondola kits run is ahead of the LSG on the schedule, so figure there will be some movement again on this project once the G32C kits are back in stock.

[bbussey]

Good news and bad news.

First the good news:  Te lastest LSG masters are cast-worthy, so no further solid model revisions are necessary.

The bad news:  Our contractor has suspended accepting new work for the next few months, and moving to another contractor in the interim is not practical nor desired.  I suspect this will be through the new year.  So we are on hold on both the LSG and the remainder of the G32C run until they resume accepting new work.

[CrazyLynx]

We'll just have to be patient.  Thanks Brian for the continued transparency in the process.

[davefoxx]

Good news and bad news.

First the good news:  Te lastest LSG masters are cast-worthy, so no further solid model revisions are necessary.

The bad news:  Our contractor has suspended accepting new work for the next few months, and moving to another contractor in the interim is not practical nor desired.  I suspect this will be through the new year.  So we are on hold on both the LSG and the remainder of the G32C run until they resume accepting new work.

Bryan,

Just curious.  Any news to report on this front?

Thanks,
DFF

[bbussey]

There will be some hard news to report around the end of the month.  The resin casting option is now off the table.  I'm waiting on FXD pilot models for both the LSG and the G32C, to confirm that the Shapeways path is viable utilizing their new equipment while it is still optimally calibrated.  It takes longer for me to get stuff from them because I request orientation at the expense of expediency and more often than not they comply.



If there are no build lines on the smooth panels, then I have to talk with them about building a full production run in the proper orientation.  The most time consuming task remaining is contracting Microscale for the decals.  So fingers-crossed, they will be released in the fall.

[davefoxx]

Excellent news.  Thanks, Bryan!

DFF

[jmlaboda - RIP]

So fingers-crossed, they will be released in the fall.

Definitely something to look forward too!!!

[bbussey]

Got the sample back today and it looks promising.  There doesn't appear to be any visible stepping or loss of detail on the sides.  It's in the soup now.  Will know better tomorrow after the Bestine bath.



The slight warping in the body is not an issue, as the brass floor and cementing in place of the ends will eliminate it.

[Missaberoad]

Is there a place to express intrest or "reserve" one or are we still waiting for something official? 

[bbussey]

Not yet. There should be enough to satisfy everyone should this method work.

[bbussey]

I've got the parts cleaned of wax, and they look very good.  There is some slight layering and print path evidence, but I think they will be imperceptible or masked by paint.  The rivet and rib detail is acceptable on both the inner and outer walls.





There is a design error on the flat ends, as I forgot to restore the ribs and rivets.  I will try to build a deco'd pilot model of the late ACL car with the corrugated ends by next weekend.  I will have to mill the brass sub-floor and output some ACL decals (the detailed floor-top with it's rivet detail hasn't been etched yet so that will be absent).  If not by next weekend, then definitely before the end of the month.  But it appears the Shapeways FXD option is a valid one for getting this kit to market.  When I get a good set with corrected flat ends, I'll build and deco an early MEC car in black, same scheme as Richie's HO model.  In the kits, there will be black and green parts so that any of the schemes from any era can be modeled.  But at the moment, I only have black MTL parts on hand.

[Chris333]

Sweet!