Regarding n-scale intermodal, I think this would be a good place to promote the "new" Yahoo group dedicated to 1/160 intermodal, which is actually just a "moved" group from an abandoned Yahoo group that wasn't moderated and was being overrun with spammers. (the old group was "n-termodal" if you are curious) The new group is "NScaleIntermodal" at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nscaleintermodal so be sure and check it out when you get a chance.
Rail train - possible next steps We were discussing this very project this afternoon - and have spotted that this is one of the problems - if not the greatest one. I have now contacted a possible sub contractor who may be interested in producing some 'flexible' rail. If this works - then we could be on. Tooling and run quantities are possible sticking points If any one has some drawings, dimensions etc., I would be very interested to hear. No promises at the moment - but cautious optimism, if we can come up with the goods. Thanks for the interest and ideas - keep them coming. Peter N Scale Kits
Rail Train - DRGW/SP Peter, Thanks for considering these. I've always wanted a railtrain in N. Nathan Holmes has a good archive of large sized photos (use the Resize function on the photo page) for research on freight cars. He shoots a lot and it looks like there are at least a dozen good shots of Rio Grande flat cars for CWR service. Please click the link below to see them. They start with the 3rd item in the list: AX46xx http://railarc.org/railarc.shtml?road=DRGW&search=Search I'd be interested in a 'rail length' train (20+ cars). The weight of metal flats would help with keeping them on the track. I'd even go for a mix of Southern Pacific or other road names that could have been thrown together in the 90s.
Peter came to see me today as he was in the area, and rail trains among other things were discussed. I have some shots of a UP train passing Woodford on Tehachapi. Looking at the photograph links in this thread, it appears that there were different types depending on the railroad. The real train was certainly impressive, so a model version should also be equally impressive. If Peter can get flexible 'rail' made, I think the rest of the cars and fittings would be fairly easy to produce.
I got this info from the book "Santa Fe Railway Work Equipment Cars" by W. W. Childers: The first group were made from GA-19 sulfur gons. Really short flats, not very tall racks. circa 1980's Other flats were FT-101 flat cars used as center cars. FT-100's were the most common looking. (if you know what these flat cars are actually and the length, let me know.) It would be cool to use one of the flats if you do run these to kitbash the idler or spacer cars. This is all Santa Fe, way back in the 80's so it probably doesn't help that much, especially for 90's to present modelers. I think their designs have changed. 50-54' flats would be a good starting point. My scanner is outdated and not installed so I can't scan the pics, sorry.
There is a British firm that makes Code 30 rail for Nn3: http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/shops.php?shop_num=1 Looks like L3.50 for a 10 metre roll. You could give them a ring and see if their stock is acceptable.
I think the 'rail' would need to be very flexible plastic. Any type of metal rail would be far too stiff in multiple lengths.
I have spoken with the guy that built an n-scale rail train that was featured in the February 2002 RailModel Journal. You can see pictures of one of the trains he built (not sure if it's the same on as in the article) here: http://mvns.railfan.net/kmodulesindex.htm and scroll about 3/4 down the thumbnails on the left. He stated a couple of things: 1. Using any type of metal rail is not feasible. He used styrene, but we pondered if some type of "rubber" rail could be made easily. (think along the lines of the characteristics of a windshield wiper blade, although that may be too flimsy, not sure) He was basically OK with using styrene, it was just a little tedius laminating the pieces to simulate n-scale rail. So Plastruct "rail beam" would be a nice invention. 2. Doing the "single support" style cars was the only way he was able to make a functioning train. If I recall, he did say that heavier cars would help, although I'm not sure if the "dual support" cars would still be an option even with heavier cars. The biggest issue is the rails "slide" when taking curves and using the 2-support cars means the rails will slide out of the last support on the last car in turns, and there is no good way of guiding them back in...if they don't align perfectly then you have a mess. (to clarify, he did anchor the rail to the center car. So when a car follows a curve to the left, for example, the cars compress their leftside center and the rails on the left side of the car will stick out further. Same concept as what happens when you curve flextrack.) Just ideas to ponder in your quest...
IMO the single support cars are boring. I really havn't seen those, especially in this era. The bottom line might have to be that loaded trains would be for staged photos. The double supports just look cooler; more Santa Fe-ish.
Maybe so, but static models (i.e. designed for staged photos) are even more boring. And probably not the best strategy if a manufacturer actually wants to SELL the cars they produce. (i.e. THE bottom line) I think the double support cars COULD be a possibility, but someone will have to come up with rail that flexes enough, but not too much. (otherwise it would sag between supports, not good) I would say that setting (at very least) the N-Trak standard of 18" minimum radius to run such a train on would be advisable/acceptable as well. Probably more like 24" or greater would be a requirement. EDIT: I just did some quick calculations, and at at a 90deg 18" radius the "shortening rail" issue would be a little more than 3/8" on each end which seems like would possibly be OK for the double supports. But the modeler in question painted a picture like it would be a challenge, so maybe there are other variables.
With the rail you would need to anchor it on one end, that way it can flex an move on the curves but not so much as it to come out.
I bagged an empty rail train at Winter Park, CO, on 06 March... I would be interested in a rail train.... Peter, we'd be offended if you didn't keep us posted with progress!
If the rails are flexible enough, two supports shouldn't be an issue. One support would make the rail "sag" even more wouldn't it? With multiple slots on the racks, sag wouldn't be that noticable. What do Alan and Peter think? It's up to them anyway. Oh, score! http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=80891
This has made interesting reading, and the calculations I have come up with seem to match those of the esteemed contributions above. I am exploring extruded tinted styrene, with a rail cross section, as this has flex without the sag. It is up to finding a concern that is prepared to tool up and produce what seems, to the medium sized corps I have spoken to, to be a minute quantity of extrusion - but to me would cover my unit in the stuff for a decade! I have some feelers out. So I keeping up the research - but no commitment yet. There are a number of possibilities, and N Scale Kits will announce them later. Peter N Scale Kits
No, no Alan, you can't get off that easy...you are a CONSULTANT now!!!! mg: :shade: Yes, of course it is "their" decision. But it can't hurt to discuss some of the possible pitfalls, things that Alan and Peter maybe didn't think about, that would help them improve their product and prevent/limit them from losing sales because of a "snafu". They are certainly welcome to ignore whatever us amatuers dish out, that is true. Like I said, I'm on board...definitely in line for an 18-24 car train myself when/if they get done.
I agree Doug. I'm hoping that many other modelers would like these kits if they are produced. This kind of train however, is a lot cooler then regular boring derricks and boom cars. We modelers need more interesting MoW equipment. Peter, would you consider doing the "spacer" or idler car too? I'm hoping I can make the power unit that feeds the rail onto and through the spacer car and onto the ground as well. The idler car would be a great addition to the rail train, because it can be used alone to unload the rail. I think there were some pictures of these on rrpicturearchives. I sure hope people will welcome this kit idea so they can be produced.
Possible new car There has been some interest from potential buyers in this - so I will be taking this idea for a model seriously. The key will be a supplier of the 'track' and I am waiting responses from a number of possible suppliers. It would seem that the idler car would be important - but it would be very helpful to have pictures etc. - I will try to find some. Where else are these sort of idler cars found - are they the same ones used between very long narrow loads mounted on swivel mounts, such as long beams? Best wishes Peter N Scale Kits
