It's been a few months since I've accomplished anything, so I guess I can show off:teeth:. I started a new project about two weeks ago, and finished one today. SP GS Gondolas that were in woodchip service. The masters assembled castings finished product
Thanks for the replies:teeth: Dirk, without the load, the cars weight as much as an MT 50' boxcar. Here's the secret:zip: Lead shot cast into the underframe. The center sill has two layers of shot and the "floor" has one layer. The lead drifted on this one though. I usually try and keep the lead between the bolsters. Kel taught me that one:yes:
Joe, that is a neat idea! Never thought about embedding BB shot in the casting itself! Great, thanks for sharing the secret! Cheers Drik
Very nice cars joe! Great job. Interesting car weight solution. I've used brass strips for weight embedded in resin for 89' flat cars. I poured a thin layer of resin into the mold and let it harden. Then laid the brass strip on top of the hardened resin, again pour resin to completey fill the mold embedding the brass strip in the car. A two step process however.
Hhhmmmmm........ I see 85' flats in my future:teeth: I now use about the same process with the lead. Keeps it filling in the bolsters.
Joe: These are great cars! Did you ever get them all completed and made into a train? maybe a picture? Thanks. And thanks to you (and Kel N Scale) for the casting ideas!:thumbs_up:
No train yet... Got three more painted. Should be able to decal on Thurs. I'm still casting parts, hope to have about 20-25 when I'm finished... Along with 3 other classes of woodchip gons...
Round 2 The Espee ordered woodchip gondolas from General American Transportation in 1957. These cars were classed G-70-15. Originally built with steel sides. In the mid '60s, when rotary dumping was becoming popular, Espee found the steel side construction was not strong enough for the stresses of rotary dumping. A rebuild program was launched via the Southern Pacific Equipment Co. at the Sacramento shops. The cars emerged with large diagonal braces, and composite construction patterned after recent cars delivered by FMC and Gunderson Bros. as delivered: http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/photos/sp/sp350873_clyde_king.jpg rebuilt: http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/photos/sp/sp350992_bob_dengler.jpg I have set out to build both the "as delivered" and the "rebuilds." I've decided to build the rebuilds first, being more complex and more interesting. Using spec sheets, photos and ORER data, I made "half-a**ed" drawings, then plotted out the car on .015 styrene. After cutting the styrene, I sanded the sheet to give the appearance of plywood. The vertical braces are tapered... so I built one and cast enough for the cars. After attaching the vertical braces, I cut the "triangular" shaped braces for the top and bottom using .005 styrene. A horizontal strip of .005 styrene was added to the bottom, then the triangular braces were added. Next came the diagonal braces, based on .005 styrene with a .020 x .020 strip. The ladder braces are .020 x .030 over a .005 plate. The top sill is .010 x .060 strip. After testing the strength, I laminated .010 sheet to the back for better durability. I left some hanging on the bottom to attach the drop door mech. to. The gussets and "outside" part of the "H" beam will be a separate layover. Progress so far... more later:tb-wink:
Thanks guys! Simon, I sure hope so... Got at least 30 hours invested thus far... Tony, I also plan on building the FMC/Gunderson cars(two different capy), which are very similar to the ones BN inherited from GN.... Not sure if the Espee cars had the door on the A end... Great Northern Empire - Then and Now Great Northern Empire - Then and Now There are also some smaller cars that SP, GN and NP? ordered about the same time('64-'65) that looked very similar.
