ATSF semi-lightweight smoothside baggage car builds

[TechnicalATSF]

Hi Folks

I just wanted to announce that the ATSF Express Trucks in N-Scale are now available from Shapeways, link below. They have been designed by Keystone Details and are made to fit Bill Denton's castings.

These trucks also had internal disc brakes. As these are quite visible, even in N-Scale, I decided to commission these as well. They will be available as an add-on kit, together with the brake lines/valves. Photos to follow.

For anyone interested, I will also be bringing out a new version of PRR's B60b, as an N-Scale resin casting. Again it has been designed to go with Keystone's 2DP5 Trucks, both roller and friction bearing.


https://www.shapeways.com/product/7EVNP5K6T/atsf-express-truck-n-scale?optionId=180695249&li=marketplace

[thomasjmdavis]

Which wheelsets (or axle length) were these trucks designed to work with?  I did not find that info on the Shapeways page (although lately, the fact that I did not find the specs does not necessarily mean they aren't there).

If you are considering resin castings.....I don't know if others would be interested, but ATSF 60' mail storage cars, or almost any head end car, would be welcome.

[Lemosteam]

Which wheelsets (or axle length) were these trucks designed to work with?  I did not find that info on the Shapeways page (although lately, the fact that I did not find the specs does not necessarily mean they aren't there).

If you are considering resin castings.....I don't know if others would be interested, but ATSF 60' mail storage cars, or almost any head end car, would be welcome.

@thomasjmdavis The trucks are designed to be used with 0.540" x 36" wheelsets.

The brake discs (split) are designed to be fit on axles with 1.5mm axle shafts.  The brake kit will come with eight (very delicate) valves and 16 disc halve to complete one pair of trucks.

Data for the brake kit will be provides to @TechnicalATSF today.

Here is kit installed on the assembly, (brake lines would be installed by the customer):



Here is the kit:

[thomasjmdavis]

John,
Thanks for the info on the wheelsets. 
You definitely get extra points for designing the brakes in halves so we don't have to pull wheels to install.

[arbomambo]

Great news!

[arbomambo]

I received my 4 sets of express trucks from Shapeways over the weekend...
Appear to be VERY nice; now to find my Bestine so I can start to soak them.

[thomasjmdavis]

I received my 4 sets of express trucks from Shapeways over the weekend...
Appear to be VERY nice; now to find my Bestine so I can start to soak them.

@arbomambo - Bruce, did you opt for "smooth" or "smoothest" plastic? 

[Mark5]

I received my 4 sets of express trucks from Shapeways over the weekend...

Cool!  Looking forward to hearing about how well they operate (roll).

[arbomambo]

@arbomambo - Bruce, did you opt for "smooth" or "smoothest" plastic?

I opted for the ‘smoothest’

[TechnicalATSF]

@arbomambo Bruce, Shapeways have changed their cleaning regime and the parts come pretty clean already. 5 Minutes in some Isopropyl alcohol will do the trick and get rid of any remnants. I've found if you soak them too long they can warp, as the detail is so fine. Earlier printings used to come with some smelly yellow goo on them (hence the Bestine) but these new ones don't need the heavy duty clean.

[arbomambo]

I did soak them in Bestine overnight (I hadn’t read this last post) and the parts did become much more opaque (white) as was typical with past shapeways prints.
Total soak time was about 12 hours and the parts held up very well.
No warpage or softening.

[arbomambo]

Here is what the express truck prints look like after the Bestine soak.
The detail is gorgeous... I’ll prime them tonight, then spray them Floquil Bright Silver tomorrow.

[Lemosteam]

Personally I always use my air eraser after Bestine dip, to remove any artifacts in the nooks and crannies.  Also I highly recommend you use a Dremel 107 bit in the axle pockets for any artifact cleanout.  It will leave a nice small spherical radius in the pocket for the axle points to ride on.  Just a few light turns- nothing heavy or the axle might get too lose in the frame.

[arbomambo]

Just a heads up:
 After cleaning the axle dimples/pockets, it’s apparent that Fox Valley .540 axle lengths are too long.
I’ve ordered a 12 pack of 36” wheel, .526 axle length wheelsets and will test those as soon as they arrive...

[Lemosteam]

Just a heads up:
 After cleaning the axle dimples/pockets, it’s apparent that Fox Valley .540 axle lengths are too long.
I’ve ordered a 12 pack of 36” wheel, .526 axle length wheelsets and will test those as soon as they arrive...

I will measure the truck CAD tomorrow. The assembly above has a model of the 36x 0.540” wheel set. Can you measure between the frames under the bolster without deflecting the side frames?