The Schnabel Car Thread

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car Thread

February 24th, 2018

Time has allowed me to again start working on my last two (2) main MOW projects.
The CWR train and the train the subject of this thread....  A Schnabel Car.

The Schnabel car is a specialized type of car.  The heavy and/or oversized loads are carried in such a way that the load is part of the car. The load is suspended between the two ends of the car by lifting "Arms".  The lifting arms are then connected to an assembly of span bolsters and these sit on a series of HD freight car trucks.  Which can consist of between, 8 to 32 axles.  The two (2) Arms come in different forms of "Open Grid work" or flat "Sheet stock"  The cars can be fitted with "Custom-made" attachments for loads that CAN NOT be directly connected to the Arms.  Either, "Extension Bars" or a "Deck box" is attached to the car's Arms and the cargo, sits in between.

A car passing through Wisconsin on the Wisconsin Southern.  The is using the "Bar Extensions" and the train consists of the Schnabel's "Deck" box accessory on a company flatcar.

After looking over the vast number of cars.  I decided a "20-axle" version would still work on the curves of my layout.  The majority of the cars, consist of a larger number of axles, and would not work on my layout's tightest curves. (9 3/4").


Construction: The "Arms"

I decided to start the construction of the Arms, since these would be the most important part of the car.  IF I couldn't get these to be correct and square, than I would not be able to make the planned use of the car's accessories workable.   I plan on making two (2) Loads (part of the car) and the "Deck Box" accessory.
I wanted this to be an easy build.  So, I went with the "Sheet stock" version.   I figured to add some details by drilling "Weight less" holes into the Side Sheets.
In order to get the correctness, I wanted I tried something I haven't done in awhile.  I cut the Side Sheet "Blanks" and clamped them together, as I did the cutting and shaping.

Side Sheets, Clamped and Shaped.  (Sorry, I forgot to photograph the "blanks" BEFORE I had cut and shaped them.. )


The Four (4) Arms, Cut, Shaped and surface-Sanded.


With the successful forming of the four (4) Arms, I proceed to assembling them, into their respective Ends,  "A" and "B".
The first End "A", I used 1/16" and 1/4" Tile styrene stock as Internal Supports and Bracing, to assure myself of "Square" pieces. These pieces were broke into 1/2" in widths.  With the .50" (1/2") width of the Supports and the .080" (X2) thickness of the Side Sheets, the "A" End scaled-out as 9 feet in width.

Installing the Internal Supports on the "B" End.


Schnabel Car "Arms" construction, Part 1

to be continued....

Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car Thread

February 24th, 2018

The Schnabel Car, Arms construction continued...

    As I began assembling the "B" End, I realized that I was going to have to modify the "B" Ends' width, If it was going to "Inter-Lock" it with the "A" End.  To do this, I knew I had to "file-down" the widths of the Link Pin Stubs, to about "HALF" of the Side Sheets' .080 thickness.  As I progressed on the filing.  I realized that I didn't want the Stubs to be TOO thin. I wanted this model to last and with my past experiences with past projects, I found if I reduced the width of the "B" End support pieces, I could do the Inter-locking and still have "Beefed-Up" Stubs.  By using, 1/16" Tile stock, I made the width of the "B" End to be 7/16".  After the assembly of the "B" End, I took the time to slowly (hard for me to do) "fit and file" the Inter-locking connections.  The result, turned out to be a nice "Tight" and "Snug" fit...

The Stub Ends of Arms "A" and "B".


The Meeting of the Arms!


To "Pin" everything together, I used 1/16" Styrene Rod stock for the Connection Pin.  The holes are slightly, oversized to allow for ease of installment.  But, with the tight clearance between the Link Stubs, the fit is nice...

Now, when I create the accessory piece (Deck box) and the Loads (Transformer and ?), I will need to make sure of the precise location of the matching Link Stubs..


Next Time...

The Truck Assemblies...

Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

I was looking at the thread on the proposed, Quarterly Modeling Challenge on MOW models.
I knew that Overland made an "HO" Schnabel car, but didn't know they made the car in N.
"BRASS N Overland Westinghouse Schnabel Heavy Flat Car"

The Westinghouse Car is close in appearance to the car, that I have used as a guide.  The Emmert International car.   (the one in the video).

Jerry G.

[peteski]

I was looking at the thread on the proposed, Quarterly Modeling Challenge on MOW models.
I knew that Overland made an "HO" Schnabel car, but didn't know they made the car in N.
"BRASS N Overland Westinghouse Schnabel Heavy Flat Car"

The Westinghouse Car is close in appearance to the car, that I have used as a guide.  The Emmert International car.   (the one in the video).

Jerry G.

Yeah, I have the Overland N scale car (it still needs some finessing to make it a more reliable runner).

Elgin Locomotive Works also makes a larger Shnabel car kit. It is a really nice kit (comes without trucks). Again, I have one but haven't built it yet.

[fcnrwy23]

Yeah, I have the Overland N scale car (it still needs some finessing to make it a more reliable runner).

Elgin Locomotive Works also makes a larger Shnabel car kit. It is a really nice kit (comes without trucks). Again, I have one but haven't built it yet.

I remember the Elgin kit being announced some years ago.  I believe I even saw the "Kit" of white resin.

I know it would run well on the MNSE and Ralph A.'s RT&A layouts, but it would be too big  to run on the FCN.  I doubt it would fit through the White River Bridge at Wautoma...




Jerry G.

[peteski]

I remember the Elgin kit being announced some years ago.  I believe I even saw the "Kit" of white resin.

I know it would run well on the MNSE and Ralph A.'s RT&A layouts, but it would be too big  to run on the FCN.  I doubt it would fit through the White River Bridge at Wautoma...

Jerry G.

Yup, just like the real Schnabel cars, the model ones can only travel on routes with enough clearance. 

[Roger Holmes]

Looking good.  If the project doesn't pan out I'd be happy to sell you my brass one

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car Thread

February 27th, 2018

The Truck Assemblies...

   The Car relies on two sets of Bolster/Truck assemblies, one for each Arm.  Each assembly consists of a series of Bolsters, one large (Main) and two small (Sub).  This combination helps  transfer the car's weight to the eight ( 8 ) freight trucks required.  The type of trucks used are an even number (4) of 3-axle "Buckeye" and 2-axle "Barbers".  The orientation of the trucks are... Buckeye/Barber/Barber/Buckeye.  An Operator's Platform is located on each of the "outside" Buckeyes, and consists of a small platform, handrail and Brake wheel and brake wheel stand.

The Main Bolsters..

To create the Bolster, I used "Rectangular" styrene tube stock for the Bolsters' main body, since I did not have any "solid" styrene stock large enough.  I reinforced the tube stock with a piece of solid stock, which was inserted inside.  To simulate the additional "reinforce" needed at this critical location on the model, I added "Side Supports" made from solid styrene stock, which I also beveled on the ends.  Mounting Pins for locating the Main Bolster onto the Sub-Bolsters, were added at this time.  They are located, 1/4" (.25") inward from each end of the Bolster.  I also, beveled the "Rear" End of the body for the anticipated required "Clearance" for the free movement of the Arms.  At this point I felt the weight of the bolster was too lite, and so I added a chopped piece of freight car weight, taken from my "scrap parts box".  I choose this "thin-type" of weight for the "Clearance" of the Sub-Bolsters.

Composite photo of the Main Bolster...



The Sub-Bolsters..

The four Sub-Bolsters, complete the connection of the "Arms" of the car to the "Trucks".  I created them out of just, two strips of styrene stock.  The larger piece connects to the (Micro-Trains-type) Bolster Pins of the Buckeye and Barber trucks.  I added a second, smaller piece of stock that was the same width and height, to one end.  This is a "Spacer" block to take up the height difference, between the 3-axle and 2-axle trucks.  A 1/16" hole, drilled in the exact center of the bolster, accepts the mounting pins protruding down from the Main Bolster.

The Sub-Bolster attached to a set of Buckeye and Barber trucks.


Platform Ends..

With the major parts of the Schnabel car taken care of, I turned my attention to the details found at the outer ends of the cars.   All of these cars have some sort of platform or other "Rail Personnel-friendly" kind of items for the operators to use.  To duplicate this, I referred to a previously used, "Platform/Handrail/Brake wheel" setup, that I had installed on a previous, small Heavy Duty flatcar build.  I attached a section of styrene "C-Channel" to the underside of a sheet of Tile stock, which was used for the platform's floor. The channel is of a size that fits, over the top of the trucks' coupler pocket.  A single section of styrene "Handrail" stock is than glued to the front edge of the platform's floor.  A stock Atlas freight car "brake wheel" was attached to two pieces of styrene stock.  A piece of flat and square stock made up the wheel's stand.  The whole assembly is attached to the truck, by "threading" the hole in the coupler's pocket. Oversizing the hole in the Platform floor and using a "Coupler" screw to hold the platform in place.



Now that I have the main parts completed, its time to assemble the car..



Next Up.....

Assembly, Road Tests and adding Details...


Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

Looking good.  If the project doesn't pan out I'd be happy to sell you my brass one

Thanks! For the Offer..  But, I have to be realistic..

jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car

March 3, 2018

The Test Runs...

I finally got the car down stairs to do some "Test" running on the FCN.
The car tracked very well for the first time out.  But, it did have some sort of "dragging" issue which after a close inspection, turned out to be a "bad" metal wheel set.  I ended up replacing, two wheel sets in fact.
The true challenge came, when we passed the "Cranberry Bog" at Wild Rose.  The track curvature there at that location is 9 ¾" degrees (the tightest on the FCN). 
The car did have a very, very slight lean to the inside of the curve, which may mean some additional weighting.  I have already devised a plan in which to add this weight.  But, I will hold off until it is completely necessary.

Car, just before it's inaugural run...



Its in the Details....

The detailing of the car, was no problem.  I was able to fabricate all of the required appliances, (Hydraulic Control Stand, Hydraulic Genset, Air Reservoir tank and the Brake Wheel Stand) from styrene stock.   The "Handrails" for which I used, which are also made from styrene stock material, maybe a little "thick" compared to the prototype's.  But it made for an easier build and should prove to be more durable, in the long run...

Detail Appliances and Components..


Thursday Night, I had the chance to run the car on an even larger layout, Ralph A.'s RT&A.  I ran it through the layout's 50 foot mainline (two levels) and the twin helixes, three times with NO issues...
I am pretty happy  will the cars' performance so far.   I was expecting a more complicated and timely build.  But, the whole process fell together pretty well..

The Schnabel Car , pretty much completed. On a section of 9 ¾" Atlas track ..



Today, I plan on adding, some of the final details (hydraulic piping, braces, etc...) to the "Arms" sections of the car.  Before, I give the model a coat of Primer Gray...

Next Up....

Painting and Decaling of Schnabel Car - GGX 79.

Jerry G.

[peteski]

Great job Jerry.
One observation I have that with all this wonderful scratchbuilding, the super-thick (1970s Bachmann-like) handrails just look so out of place.  Using photoetched railings, or even making some yourself from 0.008" PB wire would make a *HUGE* difference in the model's appearance.  This scratchbuilt model deserves better! 

[fcnrwy23]

March 9, 2018


One of tonight's' projects was getting the Car's parts painted.  In this case...  PRIMED!!



This weekend, I hope to start on either a "Load" (transformer) or an "Accessory" (the Deck).


Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car

March 3, 2018

Continued...

The painting of the car is on hold.   As I just realized that I didn't have enough "GGX Blue" (GN Big Sky Blue) paint on hand.  I have remedied that situation, but the solution won't arrive until, this Tuesday..
In the meantime...   I have decided to start on another part of the car set..

One of its' loads, a Transformer.
The core of the transformer's body being fleshed-out and the fitting of the "Mounting Stubs"..



Jerry G.

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car Thread

March 18, 2018

The Car went through the paint shop, yesterday. And got it's NEW coat of GGX Blue... 



I will let the paint cure for a few days, as is normal practice.  And then, the decaling of the model will start.

I also changed the assigned number for the Schnabel to GGX #28, as I have recently renumbered ALL of the other GGX HD Flatcars.  This realignment of car numberings was done to better follow, the FCN's practice of it's car numbering system... 

Jerry G.



.

[fcnrwy23]

The Schnabel Car Thread

March 31, 2018

Nearing Completion...

The cars came out of the paint shop, on Monday and I than assembled them Wednesday Night.  On Thursday Night, they got their first test runs, as completed units, on Ralph A's layout.
The cars tracked pretty well on the wide radius curves (22").  But, I did have some issues when they reach some 9 3/4" sections.  There is a "binding" problem between the Sub and Main bolsters on both ends..   That is something I will have to review, next week...

Builders' Photo,  GGX 09 & 28


Close Up of Escort Car,  GGX 09


I decaled the cars with data, taken from various Micro-Scale decal sheets.  As seen on the prototypes, I had to make a few "custom" decals.  In particular, the "Do Not Hump" labels. (Blue lettering, White background with Orange border).

I have changed the style of the Gensets on the car from their original configuration.  I instead made a pair of Ingersoll-Rand units. But, on installation I found them to be too large to fit the platforms.  So, I will be recreating a new, smaller pair.

The original, IR units...


In a earlier post, I had a photo of the "Arms" of the car with a "early version" of a "transformer load".  Since, the test runs, I have decided to make another, smaller version for the first load.
The Schnabel car will eventually have a few different loads to choose from..


Next Up....

The First of the Loads (Transformer, small)..

Jerry G.