Stewartstown 10 (was "Stripping Bachmann 44 Tonners")

[StewRRFan]

Thanks all for the suggestions.  I'll have to give this a try to see if she will run a bit better when I get back east.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Dumb me didn't take any photos of it last night, but I've been working on redoing the pilot to make it look more like the actual STRT 10 one and installed new headlight lenses made out of flared fiber optics.

The pilots started because I HATE how high the footboards were off the ground. That got me looking at the prototype which I then realized didn't even HAVE the footboards anymore (which honestly kinda surprised me, given that it still has a poling pole).

[bbunge]

Every B-mann 44 toner I've worked on has been over lubed out of the box.  In every case, after just a big of running, there was lube between the truck contacts and frame.  Just getting all that muck out of there, sanding and buffing both the contracts and the point on the frame usually makes a big difference in my experience.  A dab of lube on the truck gears is all I use. 

Bob

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Here's a photo of the new pilot.

Not perfect but a decent enough improvement.

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[Dave V]

Ed, the prototype pilot "slab" has straight sides...was notching yours a concession to something?

https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3603414

[seusscaboose]

Unitrak joiners
 

[peteski]

While Ed's cab cab with enlarged windows looks magnitudes better than the original one with its window slits, I still wish someone would come out with a photoetched brass cab with correct size windows. Why photoetch and not 3D printed? Because of the thinness (and strength) of brass which is needed to correctly render that cab.

[Scottl]

Looks like a quick and easy 3D print, IMO.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, the prototype pilot "slab" has straight sides...was notching yours a concession to something?

https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3603414

Yep. It's also a nod to aesthetics too. When I had it square it just looked too big.

Triangulating that is part of the whole "dealing with a shitty starting point" thing.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh, also, here it is painted.

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[Jim Starbuck]

Oh, also, here it is painted.

I like it!

[davefoxx]

I think that pilot looked “too big,” because it was unpainted bright white styrene.  Once painted, I think that effect was lost.  I’d suggest doing it again with the square pilot, but, truthfully, few will probably notice with it painted in that dark color.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think that pilot looked “too big,” because it was unpainted bright white styrene.  Once painted, I think that effect was lost.  I’d suggest doing it again with the square pilot, but, truthfully, few will probably notice with it painted in that dark color.

DFF

That's a really good point. You might be right on that. I'll try a square one on the other end and see what I think.

[peteski]

Looks like a quick and easy 3D print, IMO.

Sure, but as I mentioned, etched metal version would have much thinner walls which would be quite sturdy.

[chessie system fan]

I have a theory based upon viewing that last photo.  The rectangular end piece looked wrong because it is a short and wide thing.  And it clashes with the overly wide hood by making the hood feel wider than it already is.

I'm basing this on old art principles.  Vertical stripes on a short wall will make the wall feel taller. Horizontal stripes on a short wall will make the wall feel wider.  This principle can work against you if you, say, do horizontal stripes down a hallway.  That would make the long space feel even longer.