A T-gauge Boxcar Project

[Jesse6669]

I thought I'd share progress on a recent project in T-scale, a revision of an older 3D-printed 50' outside braced boxcar I made some time ago.  This time I added a selection of doors to my "kit": Sliding Superior and Youngstown styles, and a plug door. 


Here's the shell and doors made at Shapeways after cleaning and priming with Mr. White Surfacer 1000.  I generally just clean with a stiff brush and warm water with some dish detergent.  I never tried the Bestine bath.  I generally do a little cleanup of the shells, light sanding etc. if needed.


Here's the boxcar with door installed.  It also has the chassis test fitted.


I usually don't add much detail, but in this case added some etched brass ladders and a "brake wheel" scavanged from an etched brass ship detailing kit.

One bit of luxury offered in larger scales is the selection of trucks.  Nothing like that in T right now!  And to get them the right width I've decided to try scratch-build some of my own in a bit of a proof-of-concept experiment.  I previously made some sideframes that are installed on one side of the truck.  I'm also considering etching because these are still a little too thick, plus the acrylic isn't very durable.


Because of the size, decoration is done with decals for areas of body color as well as any lettering.  If done "traditionally" there are a couple issues.. First there aren't any decals designed for 1:450 scale.  Second, tiny decals have a way of being unruly and difficult to manage.  At the size I make them (on the inkjet) they are workable.  Incidentally, I use white primer so my clear decals have the necessary white background for that type of printer. 


The boxcar decal was done in three segments--Left (with the reporting marks/number), right (logo and data), and door.  Paint was touched up with a mixture of PC Green and some azure blue acrylics.

I'll update further as this comes along.

[Dave V]

I've never seen T scale in person, so I'm having trouble visualizing just how small that is.  It looks great, though!  Very creative solution to a unique problem.

DKS would approve.

[mirage]

I thought that Z-Scale is small when you are a N-Scaler for 40 years:-) and then I see your model. And it looks way better than a lot of larger scale cars I'd seen before:-))

Would you eventually take a pic with the T-gauge side by side with an N-Scale car? That would help me to compare the "smallness" .

[DKS]

I've never seen T scale in person, so I'm having trouble visualizing just how small that is.

T is almost exactly half the size of Z, or very roughly one-third the size of N. Not sure if that helps; the reaction to T is almost universally the same: you're never quite prepared for it, no matter how many photos you see of T scale models compared to real-life objects.

Here's a photo Chris Schmuck provided for me. L to R: T, Z, N.



A few years back I made this F3:





Since then, Jesse has made a terrific RP shell.

[Jesse6669]

This is one of my favorite projects in T:


And a cocktail olive (F-unit)


T-gauge's primary weakness..(there are many other than lack of available rolling stock) is it's not suited for operations.  I think it's safe to say it's limited to "roundy-round" operation now, maybe passenger trains in semi-permanent sets with stops can be done, but really no switching.  At least with the pulse-wave controllers now available scale speeds are achievable. 

On the other hand, I find the possibility of "compressionless" scenery on a grand scale very intriguing, although my layout goes the other way with a simple loop in a 2x3-foot space.   I also really enjoy the scratch-building and experimentation needed. 

One final note, DKS is probably -the- main reason I decided to really give this scale a run for the money, even though doing so probably borders on insanity.  His blog full of amazing models and test layout in T really inspired me.  As his modeling in other scales and work with NZT continues to do so.  David did you share your 1:450 crossing flashers here?  Holy Cow.    

Jesse

[DKS]

David did you share your 1:450 crossing flashers here?

I'm pretty sure I did, but that would have been quite a while ago, so for the benefit of newcomers...

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How I made it: http://1-450.blogspot.com/2009/06/on-roll.html

Oh, and here's the F running--

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[Ian MacMillan]

I cant even imagine working in this scale!

[peteski]

That is really amazing stuff (both Jesse's and DKS')!

[Kisatchie]

That is really amazing stuff (both Jesse's and DKS')!

Hmm... I think sorcery
is involved...

[DKS]

I cant even imagine working in this scale!

In some ways it's easier than larger scales like Z and N--there are so many details that cannot be modeled or even seen that things become quite a bit simpler.

[peteski]

Hmm... I think sorcery
is involved...

Neah, just one of those incredible shrinking-ray guns.