Hellgate models B60b kit

[Pennsy]

Al

Don't you find that etched metal grabs a little 2D in looks? I was thinking the same procedure considering how many grabs are on the B60b. But wasn't really sure etched ones wood look that good.

Jim

[Joetrain59]

I've got a mix of etched, pb and brass wire on mine. 2 last tacks with CA, and it's ready for the wash rack.
 Maybe I can post pix later.
 Joe D

[Joetrain59]

First time in a train tonight. As Bruce Springsteen sang, "you're not a beauty, but you're alright". About the best I could do. The current tweezer post would've helped if it was posted earlier. Also ordered Panavise 201. That would also have been a big help.




 Thanks,
 Joe D

[mmagliaro]

The wire grabs and details look good to me.  The key will be the paint job.  That's what will make the whole car "pop" from being just a mass of gray.

[peteski]

The wire grabs and details look good to me.  The key will be the paint job.  That's what will make the whole car "pop" from being just a mass of gray.

You're right, it does look like a chunky gray blob.  A bratwurst? 

[Joetrain59]

Thanks Max. Hopefully will have airbrush gear next month or so.
 Peteski, you don't know what a good Brat is! LOL
 Joe D

[Pennsy]

JoeD

The build looks good. So which ones are etched and which grabs are wire? And how long did it take you to drill all the holes.

And after a 2 year TOD in Germany this isn't even close to a Brat

Jim

[Joetrain59]

The stirrups and the grabs under body at ends are etched. Grabs at doors are etched too. All other grabs on ends are hand bent.
 Took me a few weeks to do this all, as I had to order some grabs and drill jig form LHS. almost a weeks wait for orders. With the right tools to hold wire/etched parts, and vise to hols model, it would have gone quicker. Some holes I drilled, then noticed not really where I wanted. So fill with putty, let dry, breath some fresh air (toluene in putty). I had so many wire grabs fly into space, I just made another.
 Going to paint it SP Dark Lark Grey for LIRR.
 Joe D

[arbomambo]

Here's mine....
I re-worked the ends where the roofline meets the end frame; required removing resin and re-scribing the roofline separation...



stirrups are etched and grabs are formed brass wire.

~Bruce

[Alwyn Cutmore]

Don't you find that etched metal grabs a little 2D in looks? I was thinking the same procedure considering how many grabs are on the B60b. But wasn't really sure etched ones wood look that good.

When you have then at 10 thou X 10 thou or 5 thou by 5 thou from 1 ft you cannot tell the difference. A lot of HO scale models to-day have handrails done that way and unless you look very close you would not know.

Give them a bit of resilience by doing them in either stainless or phosphor bronze.

Regards

Al

[angusw48]

Does anyone know if the B60b kit will be available again in the future?
Angus
Nottingham UK

[nsbob]

Where can one buy the etched stirrips?  I will need some of these to upgrade some hoppers and gons.

[angusw48]

It says out of stock on the Hell Gate site. 
Angus

[Joetrain59]

 Nsbob,the etched stirrups are from a Gold Medal Models Kato smoothside passenger car detail kit, part # 160-26.
 Joe D

[glakedylan]

It says out of stock on the Hell Gate site. 
Angus

after ordering from Hell Gate, one of these cars, this is the response I received from them....FWIW:

----------------
We are currently sold out of all kits. Our last production run back in January sold out in less than 48 hours.

As to the future, I have good news and I have bad news.

We are currently working on a new kit, a PRR class B70a, the pattern is more than half the way done to serve as a master for a rubber mold. We expect this kit to become available later this year.

The BM70k will also get re-run, probably at the same time as the B70a.

The B60b (standard version) might not get re-run any time soon since the trucks have gone out of production and are unavailable.

The B60b (messenger version) is unlikely to get re-run because of the same truck issue and - in addition - the vents are out of production and no longer available.

I will let you know if things change.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for inquiring.
------------------------

small runs means being late to the party ends up with no product

Gary