Narrowminded N scale BLI P5a inserts

[peteski]

Is BLI still in denial that there is a problem in need of a solution?

-Mark

Seeing that Hogtrainz is blowing these DCC/sound models out for $140 (MSRP $370), I doubt they will ever produce them again (with or without a fix).
https://hogtrainz.com/shop/product-category/n-scale-hogwild-crazy-sales-page/

Sort of reminds me of the Kato RDC blowout sale.

[randgust]

As my oldest son in software engineering is likely to repeat...

'it's not a bug, it's a feature'....

[jargonlet]

I had always just assumed that BLI put the P5a in the same file as the centipedes, file 13. Such a shame with both of these models. With that said I have 3 locos that need these.

[Trnsrus]

I gave up on trying to get these parts and made my own. Rather than designing a part that would stay in place by itself, I attached mine with PVA glue. The hardest part was determining the proper thickness for the spacer, it's different on each end. I'll post dimensions later, I'm away from my shop right now.

[Trnsrus]

  ... The hardest part was determining the proper thickness for the spacer, it's different on each end....

The front spacer is 0.120" thick and the rear is 0.080" thick. Length is about 0.60" for both. I tried to trim the ends of the spacers to achieve a friction fit between the sides of the body but gave up and just trimmed them to clear the body and glued them in place on the underside of the chassis. I positioned the spacers just inboard of the lead truck kingpin (pivot). The thickness of the spacers is not critical, just be careful to not make them so thick that they take too much weight off the drivers or raise them off the rails when running over dips in the track.

[Lemosteam]

Mark (and others) went through great pains and lots of testing to arrive at his design, so I will faithfully reproduce that this weekend.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=53543.msg736247#msg736247

[u18b]

I could not find where Mark specified dimensions.

If anyone has both his part and a caliper, it might be helpful to others to not the three thicknesses (ends and middle).

[Lemosteam]

I have been promising these for a while now and I think I have them almost ready for availability.  As can be seen I have enhanced the design a bit to poka-yoke the installation by adding a speaker symbol to the part that goes into the speaker end of the loco.

I need to test the samples below for fitment, and make any adjustments to meet Mark's original intent. I will announce them in the Product Discussion topic.

Meanwhile:

[Dave V]

@Lemosteam ,

I'm in for a pair. Oh, and I finally read through this thread, so I'm very stoked to hear you're planning to reopen Keystone Details.

Were you producing a B60b? If so, I'm 100% in for one.

N scale also desperately needs a PRR standard interlocking tower.

[robert3985]

@Lemosteam ,
...N scale also desperately needs a PRR standard interlocking tower.

Which one of the "standard" PRR towers mentioned in this article would be your preference?

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[brill27mcb]

That's why it was called "the standard railroad of the world," Bob!   

Rich K.

[robert3985]

That's why it was called "the standard railroad of the world," Bob!   

Rich K.

Ha  Ha   Yep, I know that moniker.  However, if Dave @Dave V wants a "standard" Pennsy interlocking tower, I am curious as to which of the three different "standard" ones he's interested in since there are several available in N-scale at the moment, one of which might be just what he's looking for.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dave V]

Admittedly very few towers were identical on the PRR, but there were a few “subtypes” that had very similar architectural styles… The Middle Division was mostly populated by wooden frame towers (HUNT being an obvious exception). But something along the lines of PORT, LEWIS, JACKS, etc would be perfect. I’m partial to JACKS because it’s fairly compact.

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@robert3985 ,

To which available N scale towers are you referring? I'm aware of the Tichy tower from Warren, PA (which I'm using for now) and the OOP GC laser kit for J (LEMO) Tower. N Scale Architect made ALTO, AR, MG, and HARRIS (I have HARRIS actually), and while to a non-SPF that may seem like an embarrassment of riches, those towers are all very unique and relatively unsuitable for a "typical" interlocking installation on the Pennsy. I know, I know, it sounds like typically SPF bitching about not having enough, but in reality, I'd rather have one generic-looking PRR-style frame tower with a bay window than 6 one-offs.

Many years ago Mountaineer Precision Products made a generic Pennsy frame tower in HO as a laser kit, and was planning to release one in N scale. MPP went away while I was still modeling Pennsy but before the N scale one ever materialized, or I'd have purchased at least two.

[Lemosteam]

Hi all, the inserts are available to purchase now.  See process on the Product Discussion page. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=59564.0

[robert3985]

...To which available N scale towers are you referring? I'm aware of the Tichy tower from Warren, PA (which I'm using for now) and the OOP GC laser kit for J (LEMO) Tower. N Scale Architect made ALTO, AR, MG, and HARRIS (I have HARRIS actually), and while to a non-SPF that may seem like an embarrassment of riches, those towers are all very unique and relatively unsuitable for a "typical" interlocking installation on the Pennsy. I know, I know, it sounds like typically SPF bitching about not having enough, but in reality, I'd rather have one generic-looking PRR-style frame tower with a bay window than 6 one-offs.

@Dave V - Dave, I was using Jerry Brittons's website "The Pennsy Modeler" in the "Tower Models" section as one reference ( https://jbritton.pennsyrr.com/index.php/tpm/blogs/latest-articles-blog/105-prr-tower-models ), which shows about a dozen different kits available in HO for 20 different specific PRR towers, which led me to do a quick google search for N-scale versions.

I also referenced a different site, which I can't find right now, that gave a pretty thorough historical accounting of the different types of PRR Interlocking Towers, and the years they were built, as well as those still extant...particularly showing at least three different "standard" styles in different eras and locations.

I agree with you that the most common type of tower (to more effectively catch the Pennsy "flavor") would be the most desirable for the area you're modeling, but...since I'm not an SPF, I didn't know either the location or era you were most interested in.

The connection with this thread is that it appears that most of the Pennsy towers available, and which WERE available were "one-offs" and frankly, it doesn't look like the JACKS tower would be a difficult structure to model and 3D print since a generic Pennsy tower just isn't available in N-scale today, and a smaller "typical" frame tower like you suggest would be more representative of a good portion of PRR territory than the more modern brick/concrete and concrete/concrete towers (fireproof) that were "common" later.

Since this is an obvious "hole" in the N-scale Pennsy market, modeling one of these would be a great addition to Lemosteam's product line after he gets up and running...or, if he can't print it because of the small print envelope of his printers, I might give it a go as I self-teach myself Fusion 3-D just for the practice.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore