Union Station Car Sides

[Mark5]

Since it appears that Roberto Martari (M&R Models) is no longer in the business (no reply from my emails 3 years ago), I have been considering Union Station, which I understand are styrene.

https://unionstationproducts.com

Anyone here have any experience with these? Specifically, how thin are the sides? I have become a flush window "snob"   in recent years, and I want to have some Powhatan Arrow cars to pull behind my J class locos.

Thanks!

[kiwi_al]

I'm also looking hard at these since LookModel disappeared. I was after the ATSF and BNSF Business cars and MOW type equipment. I clicked on the unionstation link and instantly wanted all of them 

[thomasjmdavis]

Mark,
Short answer is that the windows of a USP kit are recessed 0.010 from the surface of the side of the car.
Here is what a USP kit looks like (this is a C&O kitchen car for use with a full length diner). 

The sides are built up in 2 (smoothside) or 3 layers (fluted)
Layer 1 is clear, 0.020" thick - there is a blue film to prevent scratches which is removed for assembly.  Note that the "glass" that will back the windows has been routed out.  The window glass is left out until after painting.  The rest of the clear is used as a backing for the thin sides.
Layer 2 is the "side" and is 0.010" thick- so the windows are recessed this 10 mil depth - approximately the same as a BCS or M&R car side
Layer 3 is the fluting.  They provide different fluting for Budd, Pullman and ACF cars as appropriate.

Also included but not shown are 2 pages (at least with those sides) of instructions and recommendations.

[Mark5]

Thanks Tom, that's what I was hoping for!

Mark

[OldEastRR]

Yes, very thin sides, moldings are cast around every window so you can paint them black or silver as needed after you paint the body and before you attach the windows to the back. VERY thin sides, so be careful if using solvent-type cements.

[cv_acr]

Yes, very thin sides, moldings are cast around every window

Minor technicality, nothing is molded or cast, it's laser cut or CNC engraved into plain .010" sheet styrene.

[robert3985]

Minor technicality, nothing is molded or cast, it's laser cut or CNC engraved into plain .010" sheet styrene.

Any hardware that goes around a window is commonly called a "molding"...which has nothing whatsoever to do with how it is manufactured and is a prototype term for parts of a window. EDIT:  After re-reading what @OldEastRR wrote...and I quote "Yes, very thin sides, moldings are cast around every window so you can paint them..." It appears that the comment that @kiwi_al made "...nothing is molded or cast, it's laser cut or CNC engraved..." is correct in reference to the model.

The use of the word "cast" to describe what surrounds the kit window is not correct as it is engraved into the plastic of the kit.

The use of the word "molding" for what surrounds the car windows would be correct if it's metal, and if it's rubber, then "gasket" would be correct as Peter @peteski  points out.

However, I am not sure just what surrounded the prototype's windows...obviously there was some sort of gasketing, which may or may not have been covered with a metal molding.  Prototype photos would show the correct way to represent them when finishing the model.



Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Any hardware that goes around a window is commonly called a "molding"...which has nothing whatsoever to do with how it is manufactured and is a prototype term for parts of a window.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

If window glass (on 1:1 car)  is mounted flush with the car side, wouldn't the rubber surround that holds the glass in place be called "gasket", not "molding"?

[OldEastRR]

Yes, I used the wrong term. The indented line representing the gasket/molding/flashing around the windows is part of the laser engraving. It makes it very easy to use a fine brush or Ultra-Thin Fine Sharpie to color it either black or silver depending on the material represented. That done after painting, decaling and dull-coating, and before installing window glass.