Shapeways Heavyweight Streamlined Roofs

[Chris333]

Nother view of the Erie car. These were modernized to be used between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

[nickelplate759]

Are you sure it's not a former hospital car? It has almost the same window pattern (minus one window) and the same end design, and they rode on six-wheel trucks.

Very sure.  NKP had no ex-hospital cars.    You can find photos of these diner-lounge cars pre-modernization as well (but I don't have one handy).   Here's a link to one in full blue & white paint (car #129), giving a good view of the (very dirty) roof.  You can clearly see that the roof is taller than the adjacent streamlined cars.

http://www.american-rails.com/images/NKDINER129.jpg

By the way, RR Picture Archives has a nice shot of NKP 125 showing the end of the roof, here:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4224543

[Mark5]

According to the N&W Historical Society,

NKP #125 was built by Pullman in 1930. Retired by N&W and sold 12-1965.

Mark

[Chris333]

I could do all of these roofs as an offshoot of my arch roof, but it would be helpful to understand which base MT cars to start from, for as I mentioned earlier, the attachment schemes are all different.
 

Single window coach 

[ncbqguy]

I would like to have Betterment Tower series cars but I think the starting point has to be the Rivarossi earlier Pullman not the MT cars.  In either case the ends have to be modified to meet the stream styled roof.
The Towers ran on the Zephyr Rocket - Zephyr and Rocket Tower, and the Missouri Tower and another on the General Pershing or Silver Streak (away from my library at the moment).
The Texas Zephyr cars were similar Betterment cars but two different types.
Charlie Vlk

[GhengisKong]

Chalk up another for the betterment roof. I hope it is done in the black plastic too. MP/T&P and UP all had them as well. I can go for just the roof as I can source the sides and donor cars.

[CBQ Fan]

A plug and play roof for a sleeper that fits the MT car would be close enough for me. I am looking for the feel of the car. 

[Mark5]

By the way, RR Picture Archives has a nice shot of NKP 125 showing the end of the roof, here:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4224543

Interesting trucks on this car - anyone know what kind they are?

[peteski]

Chalk up another for the betterment roof. I hope it is done in the black plastic too.

The FUD/FXD materials usually used for this type of item are translucent clear. But why would it matter? None of the 3D parts have surface finish good enough to be used without some additional work (sanding, priming, painting).

[nickelplate759]

Interesting trucks on this car - anyone know what kind they are?

Top-equalized trucks.  I think they are Pullman type 242, but am not positive.  Note that the Erie modernized #1000 coach at the top of this page has the same style trucks.

Micro-Trains includes a model of them with their heavyweight baggage car.  They don't sell just the trucks packaged up, but I called the factory and ordered a bunch direct.

[GhengisKong]

The FUD/FXD materials usually used for this type of item are translucent clear. But why would it matter? None of the 3D parts have surface finish good enough to be used without some additional work (sanding, priming, painting).

From the photos I've seen of the black acrylic offered by Shapeways, it seems to be much smoother than FUD/FXD.

[peteski]

From the photos I've seen of the black acrylic offered by Shapeways, it seems to be much smoother than FUD/FXD.

Yes, but from what I see, it's still not quite up to my standards (it might be ok for you). But I read that it has other issues, like dimensional accuracy, warping and it is a bit soft.

[GhengisKong]

Yes, but from what I see, it's still not quite up to my standards (it might be ok for you). But I read that it has other issues, like dimensional accuracy, warping and it is a bit soft.

I did not know that. I'll keep that in mind when I first try the material out.

[Angus Shops]

That Erie coach is a good looking car. It looks to me that everything above the belt rail is welded (no lapped steel or rivets). This could be cut from sheet styrene and glued to a MT or Atlas/Riv body, along with new vestibule doors. The MT or Atlas/Riv body would have everything above the belt rail and the vestibule door removed, leaving just the ends and the lower car sides. Sound doable... The roof is a bigger problem. If you want to go Shapeways, maybe some enterprising soul could come up with a roof and replacement car sides, complete with vest. doors and window trim/gaskets to fit a cut down MT or A/R body.
Geoff

[jmlaboda]

Micro-Trains includes a model of them with their heavyweight baggage car.  They don't sell just the trucks packaged up, but I called the factory and ordered a bunch direct.

They use a top equalized truck on the baggage but it is not the type that is on the Erie and NKP cars.  We still need a good 242 truck in N so folks will be able to have a choice of trucks being used.