Lowering Intermountain 10'-6' IH box cars (e.g. 1944 AAR)

[Missaberoad]

Depends upon the radius.  The 9¾" would be a problem.  Wider radii, not much or at all.  Of course, it also depends on the car length and wheelbase.  Bur if the layout has sweeping curves, it shouldn't be an issue.  I know 18" radius is not an issue.

Good point... I should have added that to my original comment... 

[bbussey]

Magnetic uncoupling on curves is more of an issue. But coupling, not so much.

[mark.hinds]

Looks to me like melted plastic with bubbles. CA glue doesn't attack or melt styrene or ABS. Seems like they were using solvent (liquid cement).

I think you're right, because it seems to have dissolved the black paint.  I had originally thought CA because of the apparent crystalline appearance, and because it came off pretty easily with a faint crunching sound.  I had frozen and thawed it twice, which can weaken CA. 

MH

[bbussey]

... I can always get dimensions to the roofwalk, but not always to the eves. 

I missed this before.  Why can't you measure to the eaves if you can measure to the top of the roofwalk?  On a boxcar, the eaves is basically the top outer edge of the roof over the sides.  If the model's body dimensions are accurate, it's the most accurate starting point.

[wcfn100]

I missed this before.  Why can't you measure to the eaves if you can measure to the top of the roofwalk?  On a boxcar, the eaves is basically the top outer edge of the roof over the sides.  If the model's body dimensions are accurate, it's the most accurate starting point.

Trying to use the eave height data from the ORER or the data on the car can by tricky as you have to know where they are measuring from.  In the ORER the column isn't just listed as eaves, but "Eaves or Top of Sides or Platform".  Next you have to know where the 'eaves' is.  It's not the top of the sides (and I've amended my post in the PS-1 thread to reflect this).

Using the the diagram provided in the first post, you can see it gives a measurement to the top of the side as 13' 11 1/2".  But if you look at the ORER or the actual car, you'll see that the measurement given to the 'eaves' is 12' 11".



From what I can tell in this case, the 'eaves' dimension is the top of the side sheet where it meets the angle bar (the top of the 'N' and 'P' in the photo above). 

Jason

[bbussey]

In this case yes, as there is no gap between the top of the sides and the roof and the roof blends seamlessly into the sides.  My understanding is, is there is a gap, that it would be the top edge of the roof as opposed to the top edge of the sides.

The category has the "top of sides or platform" to accommodate equipment that don't have roofs.  But the eaves definitely pertains to equipment with roofs.

[mark.hinds]

Any suggestions as to currently available etched metal roofwalks for 40' box cars? 

I was planning on using a planed-down Micro-Trains plastic one for this project, as it has fine detail with good relief.  However, since I am going to the trouble of replacing roofwalks, I should probably consider etched metal roofwalks as well.  I have several sets of Gold Medal Models etched roofwalks for future caboose upgrades, but these are relatively crude.  I prefer the look of the etched roofwalks on the Atlas PS-1 and Deluxe Innovations 44AAR box car models.  Any ideas on this? 

Mark H. 

[wazzou]

Have you checked Plano?
Or, if you have the need for many, draw or solicit help in drawing a file to submit to a vendor like PPD to have your own etched.

[nkalanaga]

Gold Medal Models also has, or had, etched roofwalks.

[bbussey]

InterMountain also has etched roofwalks for their AAR boxcar models.  Contact them directly.

[wcfn100]

InterMountain also has etched roofwalks for their AAR boxcar models.  Contact them directly.

Have you gotten etched parts from them?  I've never had success.

Jason

[cjm413]

The roster on the Steam Era Freight Cars site also lists the types of roofwalks that were specified on newly-delivered cars:

http://steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/postwaraarmain.html]http://steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/postwaraarmain.html]http://steamerafreightcars.com/prototype/frtcars/postwaraarmain.html

[bbussey]

Have you gotten etched parts from them?  I've never had success.

I have, back when the Pacemaker boxcars were released.  But admittedly I haven't asked in a while.  Also admittedly, in recent times, I just modify ESM artwork and have PPD render it.

[wcfn100]

I have, back when the Pacemaker boxcars were released.  But admittedly I haven't asked in a while.  Also admittedly, in recent times, I just modify ESM artwork and have PPD render it.

Okay, I thanks.  I'll try and remember to ask about etched parts next time I talk to them.  I know that last time I asked, they basically said someone would have to put some in their luggage coming back from China to even have them.  Maybe that's changed.  I think they are doing the Rocky Mountain train show this month.  Not sure if I can make it as it's only one day and even further from the house than the usual location.

I'd be in for a group buy on some good running boards for 40' and 50' box cars if you're ever in a position where you think you have extras.  It doesn't look like Atlas is ever going to get parts for the PS-1, and other manufacturers like Plano are not always well scaled down with either over-sized openings or odd spacings.

Jason

[cjm413]

I have, back when the Pacemaker boxcars were released.  But admittedly I haven't asked in a while.  Also admittedly, in recent times, I just modify ESM artwork and have PPD render it.

I recall IMRC offers wood roofwalks and steel Apex pattern roofwalks.  Do they offer any others, e.g. Morton, US Gypsum?