Fox Valley N Scale PRR H30 Photos Posted on FVM's Facebook Page

[ai5629]

Fox Valley Models has posted photos of their soon to be released PRR H30 covered hoppers on their Facebook page. 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152843189324797.1073741852.92694309796&type=1

The graphics look great.  The ride height looks acceptable.  This may have been determined by the flanges clearing the slope sheets.  The body mounted coupler boxes look thick, specifically the top of the box.  I have the Pennsy CK and Conrail cars preordered.  Thanks.

Jeff

[nkalanaga]

The "thick coupler boxes" is one of the drawbacks of the MT 1015 coupler.  The box itself is thicker than the 1025 box, even though the coupler shank is the same thickness.  A thinner box would look better, but that would change the mounting height.

If FVM is using the MT boxes that would explain it.  If the boxes are their own tooling they would look better a little thinner.

[reinhardtjh]

Looks to me that if the ride hight still seems high, there is still some more room between the flanges and the slope sheets for lowering, but they look close enough for me based on these pictures.

The coupler box edges do look thick on the tops and bottoms, but hopefully some weathering can hide that.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I like em! The trucks look new. Anyone know where they came from?

[Chris333]

Notice the sills notch up at the ends, could be why it looks high. It's a strange prototype to begin with. I have drawings somewhere.

[bbussey]

I like em! The trucks look new. Anyone know where they came from?

I like them too. Pretty sure the ride is correct, or very close to being correct. Close enough not to mess with it. Unfortunately for me, I must wait for the gray PRR ck or sk schemes in a subsequent release.

Trucks could be 2D-F22, Barrett Whitehead.  I will check further tonight, see if I can confirm. These trucks definitely are a new tooling though, and would be appropriate for 70t Pennsy cars, and probably for equipment of other roads as well. 

[muktown128]

Wow!  These look good.  I hope Matt has some of these on display at Trainfest next month.  I'm definitely looking forward to these and may need to reserve a few more.

Scott

[bbussey]

The truck appears to be class 2D-F12, which is a Young 70t coil-spring truck.  I will get confirmation and post.  Regardless, it is a new truck frame that would be appropriate for other freight equipment.

CORRECTION - It is either a 2E-F10 (double-truss), 2E-F12 (double-truss) or 2E-F15 (Young).

[bbussey]

I just compared the model photos with the prototype.  It does appear to be riding a little high, maybe .020".  But the model easily can be lowered by swapping in MTL #2004 couplers and shaving the bolsters.  The trucks are prototypically correct for the model so no swapping in Barber S-2A or ASF A-3 trucks.

Prototype / Model

[wcfn100]

The trucks are prototypically correct for the model so no swapping in Barber S-2A or ASF A-3 trucks.

Well if the truck are prototypical for that car, then it won't be for most others.  Looking at this chart, there's several different trucks that were used on the H30.  The truck for the car in the prototype picture you posted should have a 5' 10" wheel base which would be a first in N scale I think.  Other trucks are either 5' 6" or 5' 8".  There is also a series with Ride Control trucks.



Jason

[ai5629]

The prototype photo Bryan posted shows an H30 with crown trucks, like those used under H21a's.  If the ride height is a little off, I will just live with it since I will not shave bolsters.  If you look at the FB photo of the underside of PC sand car 32321:

https://www.facebook.com/92694309796/photos/a.10152843189324797.1073741852.92694309796/10152843189674797/?type=1&theater

You will notice FVM used trucks with offset truck centers.  So, swapping BLMA trucks cannot be done to simply lower it.  Grr.  Thanks.

Jeff

[wcfn100]

You will notice FVM used trucks with offset truck centers.

Ugh.  And I just about talked myself into getting one. 

Jason

[Cumbo2000]

I just compared the model photos with the prototype.  It does appear to be riding a little high, maybe .020".  But the model easily can be lowered by swapping in MTL #2004 couplers and shaving the bolsters.  The trucks are prototypically correct for the model so no swapping in Barber S-2A or ASF A-3 trucks.

Prototype / Model

Here's an attempt at a photo comparison. - Bob Witt

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[nkalanaga]

Jeff:  I will also live with it.  The car looks odd enough, to my Northwest eyes, that I couldn't tell if it was the right height or not.  It will be hard enough finding an excuse for it to be in central Montana.  My area certainly wouldn't be importing eastern cement!

[bbussey]

As I said, I like it and will be getting one. And I will lower the bolsters and swap in #2004s.

FVM and TWX use the MTL-style truck bolster on their new truck designs because the models were designed for and originally were offered with MTL trucks. They've kept the design on their models to remain consistent. But the ride height and offset bolster hole are compensated for. In this case, there is no 2004-clone, so the ride height was adjusted for the 1015-clone. Therefore, you will need to shave the bolsters rather than swap in BLMA trucks to lower the model to a better ride height.