Weekend Update 6/5/16

[chicken45]

Oh boy ... I had to fill in the deeper letterboards over the stock doorways, and obviously I made the styrene strips too wide. The only plans I had to work from were the one on the PRR Equipment website, so measurements weren't exact. And all I cut out of the doors themselves was the window section on the upper part and replaced it with styrene strip. This leaves the door handles intact. For a round window version one of Lemostream's brass door sets (for the MTL baggage) would be perfect as replacements. I might try to get a IM/CCS RPO roof and put that on it. If this wasn't such an oddball car the model mags probably would take an article on the kitbash.
This was basically a "see if I can do it" project, since I noticed the BM85 plans looked almost identical to the stock KATO RPO. How high are the prototypical PRR doors anyway?

John's etched brass doors are designed for making that MTL baggage car in to a less fooby B70. And remember that those doors are NOT the same size...one is wider...TOO wide, as it seems that PRR doors are concerned. I would consider it a waste to use those doors for a BM85 for a couple of reasons:
-They are designed thin to simply glue on top of the B70's "wrong" doors.
-You would need 3 for each side and 6 total (I think he only sells them in sets of 4) and then you'd have to cut 4 of them down for the smaller doors.
-It's easier to fabricate a door out of styrene than to modify a thin brass one.
-save the doors for someone who can actually use it on a B70.
Or instead, you can cut a square of styrene and drill a hole. Round windows...drill bits make round holes! Easy! haha! I think I used a 3/16 or 7/32 inch bit. I don't have exact measurements at this second, but I seem to remember 1/4 being just a wee bit too big. I could be wrong. Those doors had grab irons on them IRL anyways, so you can give the suggestion of a door handle by putting a grab on there.

It's nice those doors have the handles on them, but which carries more visual gravitas: having door handles, or having the correct shape window?

That being said, I understand your scope for this project. I'm only saying these things in the event of some lurker out there wants to give it a shot.

[C855B]

After only, oh, three years, the high-falutin' layout lighting system for the Gibbon, Cozad & Western was finished this weekend:



More here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26087.msg478963#msg478963

[unittrain]

Nothing photo worthy just attaching feeders to track on a few modules.

[nkalanaga]

Josh: fior 3.16 inch holes in thin styrene, did you ever try an office paper punch?  I have one that makes perfect 3/16 holes, most are 1/4, it it has come in very handy a few times.  They also make (made?) them in 1/8 inch, and i used that one today to make some small brass washer for 00-90 screws.  Drill a 1/15 hole, and punch the washer out.  These were 0.005 inch brass.

Andrew:  If you're working with GHQ, could you ask him about reissuing the AAR flatcar he and DI used to make?  It wouldn't have to be RTR, just the car casting would be great.  With BLMA trucks and body mounted Accumate couplers, they can be lowered to the proper height, and it is a distinctly different style to the IM and MT riveted flats.  The coupler mounting is what the washers were for, although I found an easier way for the second car.

[OldEastRR]

John's etched brass doors are designed to simply glue on top of the B70's "wrong" doors.
-You would need 3 for each side and 6 total  -save the doors for someone who can actually use it on a B70.

As it so happens, I AM using that door set for my kitbashed RR/Atlas B70. No need to cut the brass-- I just glue them behind the door openings, so in this case their being too wide means more "grab" area for the glue. Then the roof/glass slides in nicely behind the brass door, eliminating the "deep-sea window" recessed effect. (Eventually I'll finish it up and post a pic here). I think those doors can be used for other Pennsy mail/baggage projects, like converting the Lima/MP RPO/baggage/coach into a PB70. (four doors would do 2 cars) Another of which I need to convert. Just spitballing other uses for those doors than the MTL car.

Also, I'd like the height of the prototype PRR baggage doors on the BM85, if you have it.  I can probably shave off the extra on my model. And the sizes of the square windows in that version.

[chicken45]

As it so happens, I AM using that door set for my kitbashed RR/Atlas B70. No need to cut the brass-- I just glue them behind the door openings, so in this case their being too wide means more "grab" area for the glue. Then the roof/glass slides in nicely behind the brass door, eliminating the "deep-sea window" recessed effect. (Eventually I'll finish it up and post a pic here). I think those doors can be used for other Pennsy mail/baggage projects, like converting the Lima/MP RPO/baggage/coach into a PB70. (four doors would do 2 cars) Another of which I need to convert. Just spitballing other uses for those doors than the MTL car.

Also, I'd like the height of the prototype PRR baggage doors on the BM85, if you have it.  I can probably shave off the extra on my model. And the sizes of the square windows in that version.

I gotcha now. I don't have the prototype height of the doors for the BM85a, but what I do have is the width of the smaller doors...4 foot 6. But that doesn't help you. I measured the doors on my HGM B60b and they are just like...15/32 of an inch. So, just shy of half an inch. You can see what that gets you on the doors, but if not, just eyeball it. Can't wait to see more pics!

[basementcalling]

After only, oh, three years, the high-falutin' layout lighting system for the Gibbon, Cozad & Western was finished this weekend:



More here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=26087.msg478963#msg478963

Put in a dance floor and have a party before building the peninsulas. @¿@

[C855B]

Put in a dance floor and have a party before building the peninsulas. @¿@

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind. I'm certain that the local event planner rents disco balls.