MOW Challenge: Waterloo Ceder Falls & Northern Plow/Flanger

[wcfn100]

I do have to say up front, I made a drawing for this many, many years ago but have never actually tried to build it, not even a 3D drawing. Hope that's within the rules.

Jason

[wcfn100]

Hoping to get some work done this weekend on this.

Here's the drawing I made many years ago.  Not too detailed but was meant to figure things out proportionally.



I'm going to try and use an Athearn 36' reefer under frame as a base since it comes with the truss rods and trucks that are close enough if not actually correct.



I'll need to shorten it by a few boards.

Jason

[nscaler711]

Kinda reminds me of a G scale Aristocraft snow plow a bit...
http://rldhobbies.com/index.aspx/ImageGallery/Index?productId=3502
 Wonder if you could find a gondola that's similar to start with as well...

[wcfn100]

I hadn't considered using a gondola.  I would certainly be open to something that would provide the stakes and pockets.

Jason

[central.vermont]

How bout the Bachmann old time gondola?
It's got the right number of pockets once you eliminate the one where the plow is just like they most likely did building the proto.

[wcfn100]

How bout the Bachmann old time gondola?
It's got the right number of pockets once you eliminate the one where the plow is just like they most likely did building the proto.

It has the right amount of pocket but not in the correct location.   The sides don't appear to be tall enough either.  The current plan is to build a master for the stake pockets with the stakes and cast the copies that I need.  But as a backup, I'm going to have some 3D printed in case I run out of time or don't like the results.

Jason

[wcfn100]

Not much to show as I went to a Rockies game Sunday taking away my modeling time.

I've got the frame cut down and flat car body sized up.  Just need to cut to length.  I also filed down the bolsters and took out the brake cylinder as that's where the flanger blade will go.



Next photo should have this all assembled.

Jason

[wcfn100]

As promised, it all it's glory.





The frame was shortened by a couple feet and the truss rods given a steeper angle to compensate.

I also got the drawing for the stakes done.



Next will be the flanger blade or truck modifications.


Jason

[Chris333]

I have a similar set of Shapeways stakes sitting here on my desk. 

[wcfn100]

I have a similar set of Shapeways stakes sitting here on my desk. 

Since I only get one chance at this, hopefully I didn't screw them up too bad. 

Jason

[James Costello]

Fine N Scale does gondola sides too:

FNR-2105

[wcfn100]

It took several tries, but I put together a flanger blade I'm happy with.



I'm building a mount that allows me to remove the blade so I can work on this without braking it.  As soon as that dries, I'll mount the blade and take a better picture.

I also got my Shapeways package today with the stakes and pockets.  I forgot how fast the process is when they aren't doing free shipping.     In my haste, I forgot to pick print orientation, but I think they will be okay.

Jason

[wcfn100]

I still need to nail down the location front to back, but this should give the idea.



Jason

[wcfn100]

Not too much to update but here it is:



First I got the correct position for the flanger blade (and finally decided which way will be the front).  Then I scribed some 8" boards into .015" styrene for the side boards.  Some of the week was spent trying to figure out how to build the side walls and the cab area.  Because the stakes are separate I need the side boards to be perfectly flush.  This complicates the order of the build a bit, but I think I got it figured out.


Jason

[wcfn100]

A quick update.  I started working on the cab.



I'm going to lose my modeling space for about 10 days starting Saturday so I'm rushing a bit trying to make some sort of progress.  I'll probably spend those 10 day on a lot of plow blade trial and error.

Jason