I've been wanting to try my hand at this project for a very long time. I'm a fan of the Long Island and have always wanted a little fleet of these cars. Lately I've been getting really happily carried away with the idea of finally getting a layout underway in Z. Today I found myself with enough spare time to really get started on doing up the CAD work for a generic LIRR P54 coach that could be printed using Shapeways. This is the first time I've ever drawn something to be printed and I'm really excited to see how the first one works out. Since it's in Z I thought maybe some folks here might be interested in taking a look at it so far: http://www.shapeways.com/model/670899/ I based my car on drawings I found online at The Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society website's document library and then my own pictures and also the ones online at Steve Lynch's superb Long Island Railroad website. I just realised that I'll need to add the roof vents to my car but wanted to share and maybe some other folks might have some suggestions on what could be changed, etc. Let me know what you think if you get a moment. I can post some photos of the finished product when it arrives here on PEI.
Hi Chris, great effort to get something like this going. I'm not a Shapeways design specialist, but have worked and detailed on some Shapeway models. I would keep the shell as simple as you can, the printing result is for me still not acceptable, so a simple, low detailed body structure would allow you to do some rework and to smooth the surface; details like vents I would apply separately.
I completely agree with the design ethic. I've been pleased with the quality of the models I've received so far in N and TT but am a little reserved about the fidelity in Z. Given the P54's simple, elegant lines I thought it would be a great candidate to try this out. The roof vents show well in photos like this one from Steve Lynch's website: http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/pass/pingpong/lirr10-Ronkonkoma-9-65.jpg They're larger than "typical" ones and that was what got me thinking I should add them at the printing stage. I can't wait to see the model to see how it works out. I'd love to have a pile of these for a little Z scale Greenport inspired station here in our house. Cheers /chris
Chris, Outstanding! Bruce Monroe is working on finishing the masters and molds of these for me. I'll initially use them on my layout and then if there is a strong desire I'll release them as an NSM item. Keep up the great work, its coming along nicely. Yours, John
Gerd - For mine, I'm not sure yet. The couplers are different also so I may have to improvise. Chris - What is your truck plan? John
That's a really great website. Thanks for sharing it John. I've bookmarked it and will be coming back often. Really nice drawings in there that I'll double-check my drawings against (especially my roof profile). /chris
I really struggled with this question but I have a pair of Microtrains four-wheel passenger trucks already here on the Island and really want to use those. I'll need to double-check the MT's wheelbase but felt that by removing the bottom beam and the coil springs I might have a truck that would be reasonably close to the prototype trucks. I really want a large fleet of these cars for my layout and want to settle on something that will be practical for a fleet. So far the coach prints for about $15 a car. Adding in paint and decals with these trucks I should be able to build a fleet for a reasonable cost. Cheers /chris
John, great source that link, the page itself is a nightmare, but heaps of interesting information. Which loco are you both considering for pulling those cars?
You're going to laugh but since you asked, here I'll go. I have a copy of a book published by N-Trak, their guide to N scale steam locomotives. In it is an article on kitbashing a PRR G5 4-6-0 that used a Fleischmann 4-6-0 for power. I have been eyeing Marklin's 8899 4-6-0 as a basis for a similar kitbash in Z. It feels really ambitious but it's something I want to attempt. I don't normally collect steam. Typically thought it's the late sixties and seventies that appeals to me the most (as an era) and it was photo's that John had posted of those great Alco's you'd built Gerd that inspired me to get rolling with this project. Cheers /chris
Gerd and Chris, The non-powered P54s (Pings) were pulled by whatever loco the LIRR had available, I've seen photos of just about every loco in the LIRR stables pulling them. The powered third-rail Pings also pulled their non-powered brothers. I was thinking of using a powered PRMLOCO passenger car set or a Rokuhan T006-3 14 series passenger car set. That would solve the motor, undercarriage and truck issues (all with modifications of course). John
