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

[Missaberoad]

Very impressive!

[Cumbo2000]

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

And here's one of the lettering diagrams for that SAL gondola currently listed on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1949-Seaboard-Air-Line-Railroad-Blueprint-Lettering-Plan-Low-Side-Gondola-42-X12-/141696618477?

1949 Seaboard Air Line Railroad Blueprint Lettering Plan Low Side Gondola 42 X12

Bob Witt

[bbussey]

The decal artwork was finished months ago for ACL/SCL/MEC and is camera-ready for Microscale.  It's just a matter of submitting it for processing at this point, once the RP body parts are finalized.  See page 9 of this thread.

No mock-up model this weekend.  There were details missing from the body and the corrugated ends as well as the flat ends.  The missing details were added to the solid model and two sets of components were resubmitted to Shapeways for rendering earlier this week.  The latest samples should be in hand before the holiday weekend, according to their schedule.

PRODUCTION CHANGE — The Barber S-2A trucks introduced by Atlas on their PS-1 boxcar will be used in place of the BLMA A-3 Ride Control trucks.  The Barber trucks, which didn't exist in 2013, are more appropriate for the prototype.  The bolster ride-height of the Atlas truck and the BLMA truck is the same.  The trucks already have been procured but not delivered and paid for.

Stages remaining:
• Rendering of new rapid prototype body masters — in progress
• Procurement of remaining OEM parts (couplers, body details, decals) *
• Payment and delivery of the Barber S-2A trucks *
• Rendering production run rapid prototype body components *
• Milling of brass floors *
• Etching of the brass floor tops, brakebox, ladders and brake step *
• Printing of paper inserts *
• Revising the online assembly instructions

Duration of project to date in actual time:  119 weeks
Total man-hours invested to date:  58
Total material cost expended to date:  $360
Projected unit MSRP based on current material cost:  $9.00

* expense of these items not yet included in project material cost.

[Iain]

When you mill the brass floors, would it be possible to get an extra or two so that I may use them for a base for the NS version?

[Chris333]

Good to know they are still "alive" as I'm still looking forward to them.

[bbussey]

When you mill the brass floors, would it be possible to get an extra or two so that I may use them for a base for the NS version?

John, the milled brass sub-floor will not be the full scale 42' length.  It will be short to fit between the crossbeams of the Micro-Trains stirrups.  An etched floor cover that is the full scale 42' will overlay.  Both a simulated wood floor and simulated steel riveted floor will be included.


 

[Iain]

John, the milled brass sub-floor will not be the full scale 42' length.  It will be short to fit between the crossbeams of the Micro-Trains stirrups.  An etched floor cover that is the full scale 42' will overlay.  Both a simulated wood floor and simulated steel riveted floor will be included.


 

Okay, once I figure out what floor the NS gons had, can I get in on a couple of the floor covers, as well?

[bbussey]

Given that there will be a fret of etched brass and stainless steel parts and that the faux floors will be components of those frets, the current plan is to etch enough to cover the kits.

[Missaberoad]

Okay, once I figure out what floor the NS gons had, can I get in on a couple of the floor covers, as well?

It would probably be a better idea (and would support the project) to order a Kit... You Would be furnished with a large quantity of kitbashing parts, for this and other projects!

[bbussey]

Got the latest renders back from Shapeways and they look very good as far as I can tell.  The parts are in the Bestine bath for the next 24 hours, so I'll know better once they emerge.  But these look good enough to build two pilot models from – one ACL with brakebox and stamped ends, and one MEC (black) with vertical brakewheel and flat ends.  I will have to whip up some white decals on the Alps and mill a couple of floors from brass.  I don't have etchings done, so the faux floors will be missing for now.  I've also decided to etch the grab irons out of stainless steel, as what was done with the Keyser Valley caboose, rather than use the BLMA grabs (although I will be using BLMA grabs on the pilot models).  I'll try to have the mock-ups finished by the end of the holiday weekend.

Stages remaining:
• Procurement of remaining OEM parts (couplers, body details, decals, boxes) *
• Payment and delivery of the Barber S-2A trucks *
• Rendering production run rapid prototype body components *
• Milling of brass floors *
• Etching of the brass floor tops, brakebox, grab irons and brake step *
• Printing of paper inserts *
• Laser-cutting of foam nests *

Duration of project to date in actual time:  121 weeks
Total man-hours invested to date:  60
Total material cost expended to date:  $360
Projected unit MSRP based on current material cost:  $9.00

* expense of these items not yet included in project material cost.

[bbussey]

Pic of the latest body render, after the Bestine soak.



Going to mill the floor weights this week and try to get the pilot models assembled and painted by the end of the weekend.

[Philip H]

thats really nice.  The inside of the sides looks lke it has some horizontal striation in it, but that also makes it appear weathered a bit too.  Honestly, however, that will disappear with the right primer. 

[bbussey]

Just a head's-up — I pretty much have most if not all of the costs for the production of the model, and I'm estimating that the price is going to be around $35 for a 120-piece run.  While the repeated rendering of the masters have added between 25¢ to 50¢ each per unit, the bulk of it is due to the rendering of the rapid prototype production parts, the etchings, and the OEM parts (stirrups, brakewheels, fishbelly centersills, trucks, wheels. couplers, storage boxes).

[up1950s]

Just a head's-up — I pretty much have most if not all of the costs for the production of the model, and I'm estimating that the price is going to be around $35 for a 120-piece run.  While the repeated rendering of the masters have added between 25¢ to 50¢ each per unit, the bulk of it is due to the rendering of the rapid prototype production parts, the etchings, and the OEM parts (stirrups, brakewheels, fishbelly centersills, trucks, wheels. couplers, storage boxes).

Let me know if you want 350.00 Paypaled to you now , and we will do the adjustments after you know the final price .

[bbussey]

Richie — no, not necessary.  I just wanted to prepare everyone so that there wouldn't be a case of sticker-shock when the product is ready.