Test Shots: ESM/NSK Portec Auto Rack

[bbussey]

Please make it clear from the get-go what radius it will actually take.  I couldn't get an Atlas flat to work right on 13", let alone 11", even after grinding frame and bolsters.  The existing N Scale Kits flats I have all work great, but that's with an MT-style coupler swing box.   The Atlas flat really had significant problems with stringlining with that short-shank coupler as well.

You're definitely on to something with those etchings.   I've never seen that done before and it's beautiful work.

Good question.  I haven't checked as of yet.  But as with all ESM rolling stock, we certainly will advise what the minimum radius will be.  The trucks are not restricted so it's a matter of coupler swing.  We don't have final production-run flatcars in hand and won't for a while, but we did verify ride height and coupler height on the 1st-gen flatcar masters.  The current task is to perfect the printing process and confirm we can devise a fixture to pre-bend the wrapper (without marring the finish) so that the consumer won't have to.  Having pre-formed wrappers also eliminates a packaging headache at this end.  This project remains a year away conservatively.  Could be sooner, but figure on next summer.

As with the Atlas flats, I highly doubt they will run on 11" radii.  It will be comparable to Red Caboose auto racks that have been converted to standard length body-mount couplers (MTL #2004).  This will use the standard length offset MTL coupler (#2004), and not the extended length offset coupler (#2019) that is the norm on MTL and RC TOFCs/Racks.  I would guess that they will run on 16" without incident and look best on 22" and over.

In general, it's also safe to assume that no ESM model is designed to operate on 9¾" radius track.

[bbussey]

Pre-decorated stainless steel etchings. Interesting.

I wonder if you had these made by Eduard (the company which makes pre-decorated photetched detail parts for model airplane kits), as I don't think there are many companies out there which make this type of product..

The etchings will be produced through our usual contractor in the United Kingdom, via our artwork, and then delivered to NSK.  NSK is contracting the decorating aspect of the project, so you would have to check with Peter on that one.

[TiVoPrince]

Can't
Wait to deface more than one with grafitti...

[Smike]

Excellent, now if you can deliver them "pre-formed" I'm in for a few at least. That will be key IMHO to someone like me making the commitment to buying a kit.

[unittrain]

Awesome GTW please!

[James Costello]

The collaboration involved in this project makes me happy for the scale. I'm in for a couple.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I am thinking of the bending jig for the car.... wooden core, and a three piece hinged wooden clamshell sprayed with plasti-dip to protect the paint on the etchings.

Pairhands, a Japanese etched detail company, makes an auto rack that is pre-formed in the similar manner.

Can you assemble the test parts? I would love to see what this car looks like right now.

[tom mann]

Looking forward to it...and getting that nice pastel-y faded GTW blue correct during the weathering process!

[bbussey]

I am thinking of the bending jig for the car.... wooden core, and a three piece hinged wooden clamshell sprayed with plasti-dip to protect the paint on the etchings.

Pairhands, a Japanese etched detail company, makes an auto rack that is pre-formed in the similar manner.

Can you assemble the test parts? I would love to see what this car looks like right now.

I have 1st gen pewter flatcar samples.  I don't have the printed test shots of the etched wrapper in hand, as they currently remain across the pond.  But this is the earlier rendition of the etching in brass, wrapped around a rapid prototype frame:



A jig can be machined or RP'd to help form the nickel-silver wrapper prior to packaging.  It's the labor that is at question at this point.  If the jig is designed properly, it should reduce the labor cost and all will be golden.  The questionable task was the printing of the full deco on the nickel-silver.  With that proven, the project is a "go".

We're going with nickel-silver over SS because it has the appearance of aged/weathered stainless, is as pliable as brass, and holds the deco better.

[ednadolski]

Bryan that looks fantastic -- we need a "Major Thumbs Up!" smiley!   

I might have missed it, but what are the plans for grabirons & stirrups?  (clearly those cannot be "molded on", LOL, and while I suppose they could be "etched on" (?) they would be way better as separate parts, JIMHO)

I agree these are going to look great with the weathered light blue and a serious rust job


Thanks,
Ed

[bbussey]

The stirrups already have been added to the revised artwork.  The grab irons most likely will be BLMA 18" that will be included with the kit if it doesn't jump the MSRP, but that hasn't been finalized as of yet.  They can't be etched on because there already are two levels of etching in that area.  Currently, there are holes etched through for wire grabs.

[unittrain]

Man that autorack is going to be outstanding! These models just keep getting better!

[Smike]

This is getting loaded with WIN.   How many road names (or base colorings) are you planning?  I hope not too many, since I'm going to have to get everyone of them.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

What about adding etched grabs onto the fret that can be glued into the holes on the body? This would eliminate the need for BLMA grabs and you could have them painted with the rest of the fret. All we would need to do is clip and glue.

[ednadolski]

All we would need to do is clip and glue.

"Some assembly required" doesn't always fly.  These parts are pretty tiny after all, and not everyone cares to do that sort of work (especially if you are buying many cars).

(That said, I'm not sure I understand that mindset.... if the parts are too small to install, then just leave them off.  They don't affect the operation, so if they remain un-installed then why should it be all that much of a concern?  It is a perception thing I guess.)

Ed