Broadway Limited (BLI) PRR P5a fix

[bnopeter]

In this months Model Railroader, Mark Peterson of spookshow.net was highlighted for his n-scale locomotive directory.  I contacted Mark about the BLI PRR P5a that he rated as D (poor) for performance.  I have experienced the same problem and he pointed me to a person who posted on this site going by the name of @narrowminded who provided 2 spacers that fixed the problem.  The picture of the spacers indicated to me that they were 3D printed.  Does anyone have knowledge of these parts and were they printed by @narrowminded or a supplier like Shapeways. 

[MK]

Yes it was narrowminded but he's no where to be found now a days and has not responded by any and all attempts to reach him by many people.  I have even met him in person a year or two ago.  Really nice guy.  Hope it's not a health issue.

If I'm correct, he's the only person who has the STL file to print that thing.

[chessie system fan]

His profile shows he last logged in in January. Though  considering he's been awol for at least a year and a half, and that there's a need for these things,  I'd be willing to design and print an alternative if someone can loan me a model.

[Chris333]

Yeah what is the point of coming up with a fix and then not sharing it?

[peteski]

Yeah what is the point of coming up with a fix and then not sharing it?

Well, IIRC Mark (when he was around) was printing and selling them to TRW members.  Then he vanished.  I think he had plans for offering them for sale to everybody. I really hope he's ok.  He is a nice guy.

[C62-2]

Adding small pieces of styrene strip seems to work well...

[Trnsrus]

Adding small pieces of styrene strip seems to work well...

What thickness styrene did you use for the strips? Also, IIRC, the distance from floor to rail is different on each end of the loco.

[C62-2]

I used different thicknesses at each end, and filed them down to "that looks about right" (based on pictures that others have posted of the 3d printed parts). They need to be thick enough to add some pressure, but I imagine they would cause new problems if they were too thick.

[MK]

Maybe for those that did receive one from Mark (Narrowminded), someone can take measurements.  Then, one of the 3D printer guys can draw it up and print them.

[Lemosteam]

Maybe for those that did receive one from Mark (Narrowminded), someone can take measurements.  Then, one of the 3D printer guys can draw it up and print them.

To put it simply, out of respect for Mark's intellectual property.  It is his proprietary design and copying it amounts to theft.

I have wrestled with doing this for the sake of other P5 owners, but I just can't, not without Mark's permission.

Despite this lovely thought of sharing, there is a time when other people should protect another person's right to their property.  This is one of them.

It is unfortunate that Mark has disappeared and his invention with it.

If someone else does their own design, then that is fair game, their IP, and their choice whether to share it or not.

[Chris333]

Spookshow said it is a simple spacer and that Mark's design works, but doesn't need to be so fancy. Just design a simple spacer.

[bnopeter]

Aaron,

I would be willing to lend you mine to develop the prototype.  The locomotive is currently at BLI under warranty repair.  As soon as I get it back which will probably not be until sometime in May, I'll send it to you. 

[bbussey]

If I remember correctly, the speaker is over one of the pilot trucks, which is why Mark developed the open frame design with the crossbar.  There's also a difference in the "floor" height above the pilot trucks, which is why the two pieces are different.  He went through a lot of trial and error to get it to the point where he was satisfied.