Blade Train

[Mark W]

Here's a six minute video of the train some said "won't work in N scale". 

[eja]

That's neat. Very well done - both the train and the video.

eja

[EspeeGoldenState]

That's awesome. Makes me want to do 50 of them.

[Mark W]

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Forgive the video quality of my recording potato. This video demonstrates the turning clearance of the Blade loads on BLMA 89' flats. Inside radius of 11 inches.
Three outside smooth side passenger cars are on 12,3/8" unitrack with good clearance. Inside cars set approximately 9.5 radius. Clearance should be ok with 1.5/1.75" track spacing.  But I wouldn't recommend anything under 18" radius.

In the original video, that's 15" radius ess curves coming out of the tunnel under the bridge (huh, that scene happens to be the thumbnail image!). 

[jagged ben]

Thanks for adding to the list of projects I'll never have time to do.   

[ryan_wilkerson]

Awesome work Mark! Thanks for posting the video of them in action. Love the swing.

[Mark W]

Thanks for adding to the list of projects I'll never have time to do.   

They're really a very simple load.  There are four parts per blade; mount, sling, blade, and cap.  The cap fits into the base end of the blade and clips into the mount, allowing the blade to pivot.  The tip end of the blade simply rests freely in the sling.  Paint the FUD Mount/Sling blue then glue to flatcar and clip the blade base into the mount.   In these photos, the blades are straight out of the printer (white storng and flexible material).  They do have a slight flat texture , very similar to flat paint, which is quite easily smoothed with fine grit.  I was too excited/impatient to do that yet though, and might not even bother at all.