Keystone Details announces two new Lima PRR P70 upgrade kits

[Lemosteam]

Keystone Details announces an upgrade kit for the old Lima PRR P70 coaches.  There are two kits now available, a roller bearing truck version and a friction bearing truck version.  IMPORTANT: No matter what you have heard about Lima and Model Power tooling of this car, it is INCORRECT and the shells DO NOT match up dimensionally; to the point that the etched parts will not fit, and I will NOT prove this fact here. The trucks and steps MAY work but I have not tested that car body yet.

NOTE: Customers will have to supply the truck mounting parts (I used a bolster pin conversion sprue that is ouond in many Micro-Trains replacement truck sets), MT 1015 couplers to snap into the couple pockets, 36" Fox Valley wheelsets with 0.553" axle length, paint and decals.

The kits contain enough parts to upgrade one coach.

Contents when ordered will come with two 2DP5 trucks designed to fit the Lima car (roller or friction, depending on what is ordered) and two integral step/coupler pockets that mount directly under the car after some minor shaving and mods.  Included in the Shapeways price is an etched fret containing four dual pane and four single pane vestibule door overlays that drop in after minor shaving, and four end window plates.

Roller bearing kit:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/YUX3ZPHT8/n-scale-lima-prr-p70-upgrade-w-roller-brg-2dp5-tru?optionId=60174977

Friction bearing kit:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/M48BY3DAF/n-scale-lima-prr-p70-upgrade-w-friction-2dp5-truck?optionId=60174966

Included Etched fret:


Here are some images of my test kit:

Roller bearing trucks with FVW 36" 0.553 axle length wheelsets:


Initial Truck Fit-up:


initial Step fit-up:


After base paint:


Dual Pane door:


End window plating:

[OldEastRR]

Is it possible to use truck-mounted couplers with these step sets, by just removing the coupler box? Specifically 2DP5 trucks from AMB, and MTL 4-wheel modern trucks for modernized cars.

[Lemosteam]

@OldEastRR

No idea, you'd have to buy some and try it. I have no way to test it as I have none of the trucks you mention.  I would imagine that truck swing could be limited.
.

[muktown128]

John,

Great looking kit.  Nice to have door options and window end plates.  Need to update my SW wish list and place an order!  Thanks for all the Pennsy goodness! 

Scott

[chicken45]

Is it possible to use truck-mounted couplers with these step sets, by just removing the coupler box? Specifically 2DP5 trucks from AMB, and MTL 4-wheel modern trucks for modernized cars.

Probably. But you are probably better off body mounting anyways.

[OldEastRR]

We're far from the days when everybody was using 9.75" radius curves in N. Swing mounted couplers wouldn't need as much arc on our wider curves of 16" R or more. The inside of these steps also could be filed away to give more width.
Problem with body-mounts is it's an all-or-nothing deal. And I'm not going to body mount couplers on my KATO cars, which run mixed with my heavyweights. Plus coupling on any N scale curve pretty impossible  w/ body mounts.
BTW, how do I order these from Keystone Details? Website? E-mail?

[chicken45]

So @Lemosteam why did you decide on 1016 couplers instead of 1023/1025?

[Lemosteam]

We're far from the days when everybody was using 9.75" radius curves in N. Swing mounted couplers wouldn't need as much arc on our wider curves of 16" R or more. The inside of these steps also could be filed away to give more width.
Problem with body-mounts is it's an all-or-nothing deal. And I'm not going to body mount couplers on my KATO cars, which run mixed with my heavyweights. Plus coupling on any N scale curve pretty impossible  w/ body mounts.
BTW, how do I order these from Keystone Details? Website? E-mail?

@OldEastRR FWIW, I tested this coupler mounting system all the way down to 9.75" curves without issue.  No derail in forward or reverse. 

All of my designs are here: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/keystone_details

I assume you are referring to just the steps they can be purchased here. 

https://www.shapeways.com/product/E3PYXBD87/4-pack-n-scale-prr-steps-for-lima-mp-cars

Let me know the results.

[Lemosteam]

So @Lemosteam why did you decide on 1016 couplers instead of 1023/1025?

@chicken45 Because 1015/6 are the most commonly used, can be purchased un-assembled in bulk 10 pack for less, but mostly they are shorter to fit in front of a truck frame.

[Ngineer]

Can you please tell me when these coaches were converted from friction bearing trucks to roller bearing trucks?

And when were the end windows plated over?

   Javier

[Lemosteam]

I have photo evidence in one of my books showing roller bearings in '34, and friction all the way up to 1961!

In short, it might be best to model specific cars based on photos.

[chicken45]

@chicken45 Because 1015/6 are the most commonly used, can be purchased un-assembled in bulk 10 pack for less, but mostly they are shorter to fit in front of a truck frame.

Cool. I was asking because I think the 1023/1025 have slack "the other way" and it helps with diaphragms.