Chris's N Scale Crew Speeder build

[up1950s]

And a question.   How far above rail height do folks feel would be appropriate for the steps/ running boards?  I seem to recall a government spec that was max 24" above rail height but not sure of that.  That looks a bit high at .15" and if my memory is correct that's still a max number, not an absolute.  I'm more inclined to go about 10" or .060" and maybe even .050" or 8".  That's still not too close to the ground but...  Should it even be less?

This is MOW captive service . So I think there are no rules .

[nkalanaga]

The government spec was probably for railway safety appliances.  For what is, essentially, a "public transport" vehicle, I'd say lower, as most workers wouldn't be used to using freight car stirrups. 

From the original PRR MOW photo, it looks like the bottom step is no more than "step high" above the rail, so 7 or 8 inches.

I'd be careful going TOO low, though, as the steps may catch on switch stands, especially on the narrow gauge version.  I had problems with a couple of my NG locos, because the Marklin hand "button" is about 8 scale inches high, about 3/64 inch actual, and 5/16 inch from the center line of the track.  My regauged Alco RS-3s clear it fine, but the pilot footboards on a few of my steamers had to be adjusted.  On the other hand, I don't know how many modelers both use Marklin turnouts AND would be buying one of your speeders.  My turnouts are all in the staging yard.

10 scale inches, 1/16 inch actual, should clear almost anything, standard or narrow gauge, and would still look good to my eyes.

[narrowminded]

10 scale inches, 1/16 inch actual, should clear almost anything, standard or narrow gauge, and would still look good to my eyes.

Thanks for that thought out reply.    That's what my eye was telling me, too.  I think I might shoot for around .05" at the lowest and be happy between that and .06".  That's between 8" and 9.6".  I think it will look good and still be sufficient clearance for normal operation. 

And right now this is just for me, testing out a completed loco, not necessarily a loco that will be produced.  Something I can enjoy myself but also to show the possibilities of what can be done.  But then again... who knows?

[metalworkertom]

placed a Shapeways order for one today. Will go to MOW or Logging operations.

[nkalanaga]

Once you have the files, and Shapeways has shown they can produce it, how much work would it be for you to sell them?  Not necessarily a complete, powered, kit, but just the Shapeways files?

[Chris333]

Sell the Shapeways file?   I'll give you the Sketchup file if you want it.

[glakedylan]

<> shapeways parts are in the bestine bath
<> Motorized Chassis TU-9A - Tsugawa Yokou 14046 arrived today
hope to work on this over the weekend
thx Chris for making this available!
sincerely
Gary

[glakedylan]

busted 2 parts
ham-fisted 
ordered another from shapeways
i see this one is "bulked up"
maybe i can actually clean it up
and glue it together
with breaking it 
it is going to look good on the TU-9A
sincerely
Gary

[Chris333]

Depending on "what you did"    sometimes the broke parts index perfectly back together and ACC works good.

The current one on Shapeways doesn't have the extra length to it.

If you had an original it was just a scaled down HO model, the "bulked up" version is just everything thickened up a little.

[metalworkertom]

Depending on "what you did"    sometimes the broke parts index perfectly back together and ACC works good.

The current one on Shapeways doesn't have the extra length to it.

If you had an original it was just a scaled down HO model, the "bulked up" version is just everything thickened up a little.
[/quote


Why not leave both versions on Shapeways ?]

[metalworkertom]

I'm still figuring out how to correctly post. So I'm adding the question here. Why not leave both versions on Shapeways?

[randgust]

If you love oddball narrow gauge stuff, Climaxes, dog carts, speeders, busses, you name it.... this thread is for you.

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40910

That dog cart is the one I did an N model of in an Atlas April 1 joke many years ago.  But the other stuff I'd never seen before.

There's stuff here that even Chris has to shake his head at.