Fox Valley GP60M's

[Denver Road Doug]

Just posted on FB:

"The long awaited N GP60M and B units arrived yesterday. The ATSF units will be processed first and all should be shipped by the end of this week. BNSF will go out next around Oct 1."

[Leggy]

Still trying to convince myself if I need or don't need one or a few of these....

[coosvalley]

Not to hijack this thread, but did anyone else see the ride height on those n scale Canstock cars?......Now if they would just fix their other cars I would give them some of my money.....

[bbussey]

To continue the temporary hijack — The wagontop, 50' Milwaukee boxcar, and bay window cabooses ride at the proper height.  You easily can lower the earlier cars by swapping in BLMA trucks and body-mounting MTL #2001/2004 couplers, and that's without doing any bolster or floor modification.  The second option is to file down the bolsters and mount MTL #1015 couplers, which really doesn't take much time or effort.

The more thankful observation is that the body height on the FVM models is not compressed.  So when the cars are lowered, all of the dimensions remain in scale.

[C855B]

I just received an e-mail from my pusher online supplier that shipment of my GP60 order is imminent, basically a warning shot that I'd better update my on-file credit card info if need be.

[coosvalley]

To continue the temporary hijack — The wagontop, 50' Milwaukee boxcar, and bay window cabooses ride at the proper height.  You easily can lower the earlier cars by swapping in BLMA trucks and body-mounting MTL #2001/2004 couplers, and that's without doing any bolster or floor modification.  The second option is to file down the bolsters and mount MTL #1015 couplers, which really doesn't take much time or effort.

The more thankful observation is that the body height on the FVM models is not compressed.  So when the cars are lowered, all of the dimensions remain in scale.

I was referring only to the "modern" boxcars, not the very nice wagontops or ribsides.....The fact that they are not compressed is also nice, but at the price, I don't and won't buy more parts to make them correct, and it seems like an easy fix for them, when they do, I will gladly purchase some...until then.....NO SALE....

I thought you had to lower the bolster AND add BLMA trucks, as in this thread....https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=24831.0

Anywho, back to the very nice looking GP-60Ms....

[bbussey]

Yes, you have to do some modeling to lower the cars to the correct ride height, and you can do it without buying more parts.  But if you want correctly-proportioned and decorated FMC modern boxcars, then they are the only option.

[Specter3]

Somewhere, someone is eating a hat....

[coosvalley]

Yes, you have to do some modeling to lower the cars to the correct ride height, and you can do it without buying more parts.  But if you want correctly-proportioned and decorated FMC modern boxcars, then they are the only option.

So if I don't buy FVM FMC boxcars and fix them , am I still modeling?

I think the solution here is I vote with my wallet, and you vote with yours.....

[lock4244]

I'd stop buying the FVM FMC boxcars on account of their ride height, except they keep coming out with road names and scheme I like. My principals, it would seem, do not include ignoring CV, SSW and AA boxcars! Would really be nice if Matt corrected the ride height on these cars.

[bbussey]

So if I don't buy FVM FMC boxcars and fix them , am I still modeling?

I think the solution here is I vote with my wallet, and you vote with yours.....

Stop twisting my words.  If you want FVM modern ACF boxcars that ride at a prototypical height, you must do some modeling (as opposed to accumulating) in order to achieve that.  Said modeling costs you effort and not money, so your cost argument is moot.

Your solution is fine.  But then, don't complain about it.

[ednadolski]

Yes, you have to do some modeling to lower the cars to the correct ride height, and you can do it without buying more parts.

(Apologies in advance for continuing on the sidetrack...  )

Lowering the FVM cars is pretty straightforward.   All it takes is a little filing with a flat file on the bolsters & centersill, and as Bryan says you don't even need to buy the BLMA trucks  (I save those for lowering other kinds of cars  ).

Here are some pics from lowering an FVM car.   This particular one is getting the Z scale couplers and etched pockets, but you can of course put whatever couplers you like on it.

Here is the 'before' shot:




The in-progress shots (it's way easier to remove the floor from the model before filing):








And finally, the 'after' shot:




Edit: You can't see it in these pics, but I did put a shim washer between the truck & bolster to get the right height/clearance.


As for the GP60M...  does anyone know of any pics for these?


Ed

[coosvalley]

I thought you had to lower the bolster AND add BLMA trucks, as in this thread....https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=24831.0

Thank you for clarifying, as this was a genuine question of mine....If I CAN use the trucks that come with the model, then that does make it feasable....

Now another question, ......Since I do not like to use MT couplers, and have not jumped on the Z coupler bandwagon (yet... your pics make it tempting, however), can Atlas Accumates be substituted, with the box? with or without the lid?..or with a MT box?..

[ednadolski]

can Atlas Accumates be substituted, with the box? with or without the lid?..or with a MT box?..

You might want to check out p. 52 of the Sep-Oct 2007 NSR.   Bryan wrote an article showing how to make a coupler pocket for the Accumates from stock K&S rectangular brass tubing.   Gary had also looked a bit into this a while back (before he discovered the Z couplers):

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.msg206837#msg206837

I don't use Accumates myself, by I see no reason why they should not work in this sort of application.

Ed

[bbussey]

...Since I do not like to use MT couplers, and have not jumped on the Z coupler bandwagon (yet... your pics make it tempting, however), can Atlas Accumates be substituted, with the box? with or without the lid?..or with a MT box?..

Atlas #23015 couplers (Accu-Mates) can be used in it's own coupler box (which is based on the MTL #1015 coupler box), or any coupler box or coupler pocket that accepts MTL #1015 or McHenry or Bachmann couplers.