Received my Intermountain Super Domes

[ncbqguy]

Are some of you getting confused about the prototype and the models that have been made?
There were three basic series of “full” domes:   (Without going into subsequent owners) and the SP home built 3/4 domes)

Budd
ATSF.  Corrugated above windows + Corrugated below windows.  Small variations
Bachman (later AutoTrain letterboards) and Kato ATSF
GN. Corrugated above windows + Panel side below windows (horizontal board and batten). Very similar to ATSF
Brass sides to convert Bachman

Pullman-Standard
MILW.  Smooth side
Kato (ATSF style trucks) and InterMountain

From the one photo in this thread it appears the IM model has more accurate trucks.   Printing the silver glass frames on the MILW version would have been nice but IMHO the printed frames look much better than separate frame with glass too far behind or with too thick window gaskets.

Charlie Vlk

[peteski]

Are some of you getting confused about the prototype and the models that have been made?
There were three basic series of “full” domes:   (Without going into subsequent owners) and the SP home built 3/4 domes)

Prototype: Budd
- ATSF.  Corrugated above windows + Corrugated below windows.  Small variations
Model: Bachman (later AutoTrain letterboards) and Kato ATSF
- GN. Corrugated above windows + Panel side below windows (horizontal board and batten). Very similar to ATSF
Model: Brass sides to convert Bachman

Prototype: Pullman-Standard
- MILW.  Smooth side
Models: Kato (ATSF style trucks) and InterMountain

From the one photo in this thread it appears the IM model has more accurate trucks.   Printing the silver glass frames on the MILW version would have been nice but IMHO the printed frames look much better than separate frame with glass too far behind or with too thick window gaskets.

Charlie Vlk

Charlie, have you actually examined the Kato model in-person?  I just looked at mine.
The dome side windows are perfectly flush with the frames on the side, and only slightly inset on the ends.  There are no gaskets depicted on the Kato model - just painted silver frames, which seem to be close to scale width.

[thomasjmdavis]

Charlie- Kato ATSF?  of a Budd Big Dome? 

Is that in the pipeline?  I am not aware of such in the market anywhere- I'd own a couple of them if there were. 

M&R has etched sides, but I am not confident that i have the level of skills to form the dome.

[skytop35]

Charlie- Kato ATSF?  of a Budd Big Dome? 

Kato ATSF Budd Bi-Level El Cap Diner has the six wheel trucks used on the Kato Milw SuperDome.

[reinhardtjh]

For sure get the Bachmann dome.  Plenty on Ebay and cheap.  I think it's pretty good tooling as well.  Put on new trucks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-Amtrak-85-Full-Dome-Passenger-Car-N-Scale-53-1043-06/193191283860?hash=item2cfb190c94:g:AWsAAOSwjhJdv1K6

Thanks!  I was thinking the Bachmann was a closer model.  I just hadn't checked in a while.

[thomasjmdavis]

Kato ATSF Budd Bi-Level El Cap Diner has the six wheel trucks used on the Kato Milw SuperDome.

I've had extra Kato trucks in my parts box waiting until I figure out a good way to mount them under the Bachmann domes I have.  But what I was responding to:
 "There were three basic series of “full” domes:   (Without going into subsequent owners) and the SP home built 3/4 domes)

Budd
ATSF.  Corrugated above windows + Corrugated below windows.  Small variations
Bachman (later AutoTrain letterboards) and Kato ATSF..."

I was just hoping that Charlie had slipped about some future production at Kato.  Given all their other ATSF cars over the years, it would make sense.  A mix of cars from the Super Chief and El Cap, a 6-6-4, the de-skirted Budd 10-6, and add a Budd Big Dome and a couple more new tooling cars, and you get a plausible mid/late 60s era  San Francisco Chief.  A bit more tooling and you get a 1954 SF Chief. 

[thomasjmdavis]

Thanks!  I was thinking the Bachmann was a closer model.  I just hadn't checked in a while.

The Bachmann actually is pretty good tooling.  The only major flaw is that the letterboard is the larger one installed by Auto Train.  But, that said, stripping the oversized "Santa Fe" lettering and replacing it with a properly sized decal makes a huge difference in appearance.  I have 3 of them, one of which I remodeled a window to approximate the "dorm-lounge" version carried on the San Fran Chief.  They are all still waiting on new trucks and couplers. 

[ncbqguy]

I haven't paid really close attention to the Kato passenger train releases since the Silver Streak (using the prewar cars that I initiated while I was working there and the E5A which I consulted on). I guess they didn't do it...yet... Bill!!!  And no, with  the Big Boy eating up production and tooling time for the foreseeable future I don't have any inside information...even the guys at Kato must be wondering what they're going to have to sell.
I didn't know how to describe the window frames holding the glass vs. the structural framing; I was referencing the silver (hot stamped?) perimeter of the glass on the Kato car.   Even if the glass is relatively flush with the glass frame a separately applied glass unit inset into a roof frame will still have gaps and not look as good as the IM model.  I thought the Intermountain was going to be tacky with the frames printed on a clear plastic roof but they turned out pretty well.
The Kato and Bachmann trucks on the Budd cars are the six wheel version of the CDO truck (think Con-Cor and American Limited four wheel truck).  The prototype truck looks like a beefed-up Pullman drop equalizer heavyweight truck with outside swing hangers and springs....which makes the Intermountain truck closer even if it is a modified M-T truck (which I don't know, not having a sample to examine and if it a stock M-T truck the 36" wheels must cause the coupler to ride high???).   
And yes, I know that Bachmann is "spelt" with 2 "n"s…..I was responding on an iPad.         
Charlie Vlk

[Steveruger45]

My iPad is bad at spelling too.  Thought it would be fixed in the last IOS updat 

[nkalanaga]

The Brass Car Sides make a fine GN car, starting with the Bachmann car, or one can do-it-yourself with an old MR article.  I've done it both ways, and it's a tossup which is easier.

My Bachmann trucks work fine, after installing NWSL 36 inch wheels, many years ago.  You can probably find other brands that will work just as well today. 

And, yes, I'm pretty sure that NS car is an ex-ATSF Budd dome.

[Mark5]

Here are some shots that may help you see the trucks in more detail. The Maroon/Orange one is the Kato, the UP Yellow is the Intermountain.

Bart

Thanks Bart! What really jumps out at me is the 33" wheels on the IM/Centralia car - they should be 36" eh?

Mark

[C855B]

I'm happy with mine. Yeah, the trucks need paint, but so do the 40 other UP-scheme passenger cars in the collection. 



Agree on the wheel size; I should have some 36"/MTL in the stash and hope I don't have to trim brake shoes. Notice there's no problem here with coupler height mismatch with the bookcase-series (106-012) Kato MILW cars.

[OldEastRR]

Bachmann body with layered brass car sides -- custom paint and decals

[nkalanaga]

Nice job!  A lot of GN fans don't like Big Sky Blue, but I think it looks good.

For decals on BSB passenger cars, I've used Walthers or Microscale caboose decals.  Walthers made, and MSD now makes, BSB passenger car decals that can be used for the car names and numbers.

Brass Car Sides do make nice looking cars.

[reinhardtjh]

Bachmann body with layered brass car sides -- custom paint and decals

Who makes the brass sides?  What stock number if there is one.