Feasibility of 3D printing Erie Stillwell coaches

[thomasjmdavis]

Prime Mover had Erie decals in N as "coming soon" for a couple years, but apparently not enough interest expressed to actually make them.  I've been using the MS steam loco sets, which have "Erie" in a size close (maybe correct?) for letterboards.  And other lettering for Erie coaches is pretty standard, numbers and various detailed lettering on ends of cars, etc. (truth be told, I can't read most of it in N scale anyway, so I don't get too worried about it).
My guess is that if someone makes an accurate Stillwell, between us we can figure out how to get Erie decals made. 

And the C&WI decals were still available from Gary Roe, last I knew (I think I ordered some from him about a year ago).  I think he may have listed them as locomotive decals, but lettering is the same size.  This is a bad photo, but the car has been packed away as I am moving next month, so best I have.

[thomasjmdavis]

Sorry, I messed up something in the attachment

[Scott Lupia]

The method for producing the best result is definitely 3D printing a core, roof and underframe while using etched sides and ends.  The Erie Stillwell is perfect for this.  The DL&W Boonton Line coach will be more difficult since the vestibule ends are open and have more detail do create.  Not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.  The Erie Stillwells come in a few flavors, arches over windows, arches plated over, long distance coach... etc.  Should this project get further down the pike I would not worry about the decals.  I will work on Paul at Prime Mover.  If somebody is willing to come up with a core that can accept etched sides I will do the sides.  I have had a good amount of success with my etched stainless EL business car sides.  The Stillwells and Boonton coaches are dear to my heart so I am fully invested in seeing these models happen.  As far as trucks go, the Boonton coaches use standard 8' Pullman trucks.  There are some out there on the market now.  The stillwell cars are a little more tricky.  Lets see what happens.

Scott Lupia

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I need some Boonton coaches and combines.
<-- For the A&A

For basically every northeastern tourist road, period.

[Upstate Gator]

The C&WI set covers locos, coaches,  and cabooses.

[central.vermont]

................If somebody is willing to come up with a core that can accept etched sides I will do the sides. 

Scott Lupia

Sounds to me that this would be a good candidate for 3D printing!!

Jon

[Scott Lupia]

So to muddy the Stillwell waters there were two different lengths of Stillwell car.  Shorter cars had 11 pairs of windows on the side, longer cars had 12 pairs of windows on the side.  The 11 paired window "shorter" cars had the distinctive arches above the windows.  Some of these cars had their arches plated over.  I haven't seen any photos of the 12 paired window "longer" cars with exposed arches above the windows.  Some of the longer Stillwells had diaphragms.  There are two roof styles for the Stillwells.  The difference is in the "boxes" on top of the roof.  There are 3 different kinds of truck used on these cars.  None are commercially available although somebody made a white metal casting of a truck that is close-ish to one of the Stillwell trucks.  Careful consideration should be made as to which car to 3D model based on all of this stuff.  The good news is that the DL&W Boonton Line cars are much easier.  Far less variation.

Scott Lupia

[Upstate Gator]

My primary interest is in the shorter, arched window version. I think that one is the most distinctive.
Ben

[sd45elect2000]

The method for producing the best result is definitely 3D printing a core, roof and underframe while using etched sides and ends.  The Erie Stillwell is perfect for this.  The DL&W Boonton Line coach will be more difficult since the vestibule ends are open and have more detail do create.  Not impossible by any stretch of the imagination.  The Erie Stillwells come in a few flavors, arches over windows, arches plated over, long distance coach... etc.  Should this project get further down the pike I would not worry about the decals.  I will work on Paul at Prime Mover.  If somebody is willing to come up with a core that can accept etched sides I will do the sides.  I have had a good amount of success with my etched stainless EL business car sides.  The Stillwells and Boonton coaches are dear to my heart so I am fully invested in seeing these models happen.  As far as trucks go, the Boonton coaches use standard 8' Pullman trucks.  There are some out there on the market now.  The stillwell cars are a little more tricky.  Lets see what happens.

Scott Lupia

These are neat cars. The Erie Stillwells also had open vestiblues except on the long distance cars. Whenever they become available I will certainly by both the Stillwells and the Boonton cars.

Randy

[reinhardtjh]

As far as trucks go, the Boonton coaches use standard 8' Pullman trucks.  There are some out there on the market now.  The stillwell cars are a little more tricky.  Lets see what happens.

Scott Lupia

I see several listed on Spookshow's site.  It looks like Athearn, MDC, Bachmann and Wheels of Time make the 8' Pullman 4-wheel trucks.  I don't see listings on either the WoT or Bachmann site for separate truck sales.  Does anyone know if they do?  Or Scott, did you know of another source?

The WoT trucks look the closest to the Boonton pictures I have with the MDC and Athearn coming in a close second..

[Upstate Gator]

WoT 4 and 6 wheel trucks are listed on their price list

999009   "All New N Scale 4-wheel heavyweight  passenger truck, adjustable draft gear, metal 36"" wheelsets and MT couplers, pair"
999010   "All New 6-wheel heavyweight drop equalizer truck withadjustable draft gear, metal 36"" wheelsets and MT couplers, pair"

http://www.wheelsotime.com/downloads/forms/wot_pricelist.xls

[reinhardtjh]

Thanks! I clicked the downloads on their page but it didn't work.  Must have been operator error!

[Lemosteam]

So to muddy the Stillwell waters there were two different lengths of Stillwell car.  Shorter cars had 11 pairs of windows on the side, longer cars had 12 pairs of windows on the side.  The 11 paired window "shorter" cars had the distinctive arches above the windows.  Some of these cars had their arches plated over.  I haven't seen any photos of the 12 paired window "longer" cars with exposed arches above the windows.  Some of the longer Stillwells had diaphragms.  There are two roof styles for the Stillwells.  The difference is in the "boxes" on top of the roof.  There are 3 different kinds of truck used on these cars.  None are commercially available although somebody made a white metal casting of a truck that is close-ish to one of the Stillwell trucks.  Careful consideration should be made as to which car to 3D model based on all of this stuff.  The good news is that the DL&W Boonton Line cars are much easier.  Far less variation.

Scott Lupia

Well, OK @Scott Lupia and @Upstate Gator I'll do it but it may take a while. I have a steady lineup.  Drawings and images are paramount.

Near side and near end views are helpful.  Someone will have to mail me some trucks, or do a bang up measuring job of one.

Please PM me for contact info. And needs. 

@reinhardtjh Did the Pennsy have any, or were they turn of the century?

[reinhardtjh]

@reinhardtjh Did the Pennsy have any, or were they turn of the century?

No, these were DL&W only until they were sold off in the 60's - mostly to small tourist/excursion railroads (As Ed mentions).  My interest in them is not PRR related, but because I grew up 4 miles from the Arcade & Attica RR which has 5 Boonton coaches and 3 combines.

[Chris333]

So I bought the old RMC issue on ebay. Anyone need drawings?    They include the goofy trucks.