Any interest in an N scale cowl body GE Dash 8-40CM resin kit?

[craigolio1]

For what it's worth, I would like to see it based on an Atlas model strictly because you can get them.  Kato models are hard to find after the run is over and the parts can be non existent.  Atlas on the other hand has a huge stock of parts.

$135 seems steep indeed but if you've ever looked at one of his kits, and seen the detail not just in the shell, but all of the add on parts, it's really good.  If you were to take a model of whatever, and add all of the etchings, cast parts, etched handrails, lights, grills, grab irons, modify the shell etc., I would bet most projects can get up to that price pretty quickly.  But with these kits you just assemble and paint.  The time saved is great too.

I'm in for two for sure.  Three if needed to make it a go.  I don't have the money either so I will start saving a bit here and there in case this happens.

Craig

[Scottl]

I think it is reasonable for what is coming with the kit.  It is also a small run item, so the investment of time is amortized over fewer models.

I'm a bit puzzled about the discussion about the chassis.  It is a GE 8-40C, right?   Did CN have different dimensions than the stock model?  I do agree with Craig in terms of availability, but I do prefer a Kato drive.  Regardless, I'm in for one and my list of CN units is rapidly getting shorter.  This is awesome!

[Catt]

I have no fault with his pricing but my wallet does between my SS and my pension and my wife's SS our income is just under half what it was when we were still working.

[BCR 570]

Only if the truck center are the same.

I'm a bit puzzled about the discussion about the chassis.  It is a GE 8-40C, right?   Did CN have different dimensions than the stock model?

The General Electric Dash 8-40C has a length of 70'-8", a distance between truck centres of 43'-4" and the "Adirondack" or GSC trucks have a wheelbase of 163 inches.

The Dash 8-40CM has a length of 71'-8", a distance between truck centres of 48'-9" and the Dofasco trucks have a wheelbase of 134 inches.

Use of the shorter wheelbase trucks meant that they could be spaced further apart, which allowed the air tanks to be located fore and aft of the fuel tank.  The combination of shorter wheelbase trucks and a longer distance between truck centres presents a significant challenge for this kit.  A Dash 8-40C chassis is too short between truck centres and a Dash 9-44 is too long.  An SD70 chassis would likely be closest but with room for 164 inch wheelbase trucks there would be too much space between the replacement Dofasco trucks and the pilots.


Tim

[Scottl]

Thanks Tim, that is very interesting.  I suppose I should not be surprised that it varied but I did not realize it was by so much.

[sd75i]

  I was wondering what kind of turnaround time you are talking about?  Before I commit, I would be courious about how much time i have to come up with funding?  I have to meet with the United Nations(wife) about funding!  I would probably be in for a couple.  Thanks

 dave t

[craigolio1]

Tim, if the SD70 chassis would be closest, I wonder if the necessary amount could be trimmed of each end, since the kit likely would have all of it's own end platforms, etc.  It sounds like about 2.5mm would do it.  Not impossible on most chassis.  Any idea which Atlas trucks would have the correct wheelbase?

Craig

[BCR 570]

Craig:

Yes, if an SD70 chassis provided the correct truck centre spacing but was too long overall, then the solution would be to shorten the chassis at each end as you suggest.

It would also be worth looking at other modern diesel chassis in case some of them have offset truck pivot points, which might actually render them closer in truck centre spacing than they otherwise should be.

The Briggs Dofasco truck kit is for the Atlas C-630 truck, and depending on which chassis is used a different Dofasco kit may have to be procured.

With manufacturers now getting interested in Canadian locomotives, one would have to think that the Dash 8-40CM would be possible as a future release, especially with both the CN and BC Rail units now roaming acorss North America.


Tim



Tim

[lock4244]

With manufacturers now getting interested in Canadian locomotives, one would have to think that the Dash 8-40CM would be possible as a future release, especially with both the CN and BC Rail units now roaming acorss North America.

Tim

Yeah... but the GP40-2L and GP40-2W first 

[Philip H]

With manufacturers now getting interested in Canadian locomotives, one would have to think that the Dash 8-40CM would be possible as a future release, especially with both the CN and BC Rail units now roaming across North America.


Tim

What he said /\/\/\

[craigolio1]

Hey Chris,

Any update on this project?

Craig

[BCOL 747]

You bet Craig

Jeff has looked at several available mechanisms currently on the market and it appears the original Kato SD40-2 will work the best. I believe the current release (Early Version) of the Kato SD40-2 uses the same mechanism so they should be widely available.

Jeff has completed the CAD drawings and converted them into 3D files. He is hoping to see some physical masters within the next month.

He is aiming for a 75 unit production run and will continue to accept orders until he places the order for the etched and mechanical parts. He is thinking somewhere around Aug 1.

I will send an update to the group later today.

Chris