Bluford test shots and deadline...

[Bluford Craig]

Posted on our site we have the first test shots for our new USRA 30'6" 2-bay hoppers and panel side hoppers. We'll post more pics of them once they've made the trip from the tooling shop to Bluford Shops World Headquarters.  Anyway, as a result of this development, we will be closing the pre-orders on the first group of the USRA version in two weeks (December 31.)  Details are on our site: www.bluford-shops.com

Craig & Steve
Bluford Shops

[central.vermont]

Looking good Craig!!!
One question though. Are you going to release any undec's. Unfortunately for me the paint scheme you chose on the CV car is just too early for me so I will have to "Roll my own". 

Jon

[Bluford Craig]

Looking good Craig!!!
One question though. Are you going to release any undec's. Unfortunately for me the paint scheme you chose on the CV car is just too early for me so I will have to "Roll my own". 

Jon

Yes, Undecs will be in the second announcement of the Panel Side cars...

Craig
www.bluford-shops.com

[Bluford Craig]

A much better pic of the test shots is now up:  http://www.bluford-shops.com/

Craig
Bluford Shops

[central.vermont]

Thanks for the new shots Craig. Any chance of getting a shot of the bottom as well as the inside?

Thanks, Jon

[Cumbo2000]

Craig,

I am very glad are doing this model especially with the many road names already announced.

Looking at the test shots it seems the cars are riding a little high.  Do others see this?

Bob Witt

[ai5629]

Craig,

I am very glad are doing this model especially with the many road names already announced.

Looking at the test shots it seems the cars are riding a little high.  Do others see this?

Bob Witt

Looking at the pre production photos, I would have to agree with you.  When the coupler box is added to the bottom of the car, the ride height is almost always too high.  The top of the coupler box needs to be incorporated into the bottom of the car, the end of the car has to be notched to fit the top of the coupler box, or the end of the car has to be compromised/raised the allow for the coupler box.  When this is done, the cars tend to be at the correct ride height.  Take a look at an ESM XIH to see an example of the incorporating the coupler box into the floor and an Atlas 50' ACF Precision Design boxcar for an example of raising/notching the end of the car.  Both methods provide cars that make other cars that lack this foresight look awful next to them.  This is why I have 50 plus Atlas 50' PD cars, and I will be unloading the dozen FVM 50' IPD boxcars due to them riding on stilts next to the Atlas cars.  Thanks.

Jeff

[Bluford Craig]

Craig,

I am very glad are doing this model especially with the many road names already announced.

Looking at the test shots it seems the cars are riding a little high.  Do others see this?

Bob Witt

The limiting factor for height on a car like this is not the draft gear box but the clearance of the trucks and the hopper bays. Having said that, these cars actually sit lower than our 3-bay offset side hoppers even though the couplers match up perfectly. All in all, we're happy with the height. Here's a prototype pic: http://www.shamokindivision.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/rdg-htj-72687.jpg

Craig
Bluford-Shops.com

[ai5629]

The limiting factor for height on a car like this is not the draft gear box but the clearance of the trucks and the hopper bays.

Craig
Bluford-Shops.com

I have to agree with Craig in that the ride height of a hopper car is limited by having to provide clearance for the wheel flanges and the slope sheets.  This is a frustrating aspect of modeling in N scale.  Thank you.

Jeff

[Cumbo2000]

I have to agree with Craig in that the ride height of a hopper car is limited by having to provide clearance for the wheel flanges and the slope sheets.  This is a frustrating aspect of modeling in N scale.  Thank you.

Jeff

I guess with manufacturers making scale car bodies, the trucks and couplers become the limiting items.

Are we ready for Proto160?

Bob Witt