Best Of Scratchbuild Project - Van Iron Woodchip Cars

[BCR 570]

I also have an "opinion" on the Delrin stirrups.  I think that even if they appear to adhere well, they won't
stand up to any shear or shock, as in, the sharp flick of a finger.  If they could withstand that, I guess
I'd leave them be.  But over time, the brittleness of a CA joint will cause them to crack off, in my opinion.

My suggestion is something I have used in similar situations... a "cocktail" of Walthers Goo and CA.  Goo is thick and messy, but in this application, I think you can get a good sized little blob on there without the Goo showing unless one really looks for it, especially after it is painted.  Glue the parts on with CA, as you have, but then add a little Walthers Goo.  After the Goo sets in about 24 hours, it really holds well, but will always provide some flexibility.  With Goo alone,  a good push on the stirrup would lean it over, but it won't break off.  The CA will keep the part from moving too easily while handling.  It's a strong "semi flexible" joint.
Anyway, that's my $.02 on this.  Carry on with  your magnificent project!

Hi Max:

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.  I was not happy about using the Delrin sill steps for exactly the reasons you state, but with the BLMA parts not available I didnt have much choice.  So far they are holding up well; they took a few knocks while working on the topside of the cars and so far so good.

I now have  aback-up plan.  During my last trip the the LHS I found a few GMM detail sets for freight cars which happen to have the correct sill steps in etched brass.  If necessary I will make the substitution.

I have never tried using Walthers Goo but will keep your suggestion in mind for future applications.


Tim

[BCR 570]

I didn't realize that Precision Scale was still in business (I still have parts I bought decades ago!) - the local pusher doesn't carry their line anymore.

https://www.precisionscaleco.com

And of course, great work Tim!

Mark

Wow - some other neat parts from them.  Thanks for posting the catalogue.  Our LHS has a fair range of their parts, all in new orange packaging.  I use their brake set a fair bit so am glad they are still around.


Tim

[BCR 570]

Trucks and Wheels (Part 2)
BCOL 9590 has been fitted with Micro-Trains #1036 Barber roller bearing trucks and Fox Valley #3301 wheels:




Up on its trucks and wheels for the first time, and looking a lot more like a freight car:




About to roll for the first time as it is collected for insertion into a train for a test run:




Negotiating the yard throat trackage at Chetwynd:




Rolling across the Kiskatinaw River bridge en route to Dawson Creek:




A very successful test run; the car performed exceptionally well with no wobbles.  The other five cars are waiting on trucks and wheels.


Tim

[jpf94]

Stellar work sir!

I will ask for you to show the finished cars painted and decaled.  Just seeing the one on the layout makes me jealous!    Wonderful series, thank you for sharing this build.

Joe

[BCR 570]

Thank you Joe; yes I will see the cars through to completion before wrapping up this thread, as I did with the RS-3 build thread.  The other five cars are just waiting for their trucks and they can then go off to the paint shop; the wheels arrived yesterday.

I am now working on the reference materials for the decal artwork.

Tim

[BCR 570]

Trucks & Wheels (Part 3)
The arrival during this past week of two packages has enabled me to finish the remaining five cars. 

Some time ago I realized that I did not have appropriate trucks for these cars.  Thanks to input from fellow Railwire members, it was determined that the correct trucks were National C-1s (essentially a Bettendorf style truck with three springs).  Both Atlas and Broadway Limited make a similar truck but do not offer them separately.  The Atlas trucks are produced for their Hart ballast cars, and an appeal on the Railwire led to a generous donation from Randy (sd45elect2000), and during this past week they arrived:




The Atlas trucks require wheelsets with a .553 axle length, and an online search resulted in procurement of some Fox Valley 3302 wheels to go inside the Atlas trucks:




The Atlas trucks also require Atlas kingpins!     Fortunately I found some which I had removed from some Atlas boxcars.  The trucks were equipped with the new wheels and pinned onto the cars.  I use a tool from Aztec for this purpose which pushes on the bolster pins:




As these were different trucks from those fitted to BCOL 9590, I checked the other cars against the Micro-Trains coupler height gauges:




After all the work which has gone into these cars, I am thrilled to be able to equip them with the correct trucks:




Now I can take all six cars for a test run, and then it is off to the paint shop.


Tim

[jpf94]

Good luck with the test run of the 6.  Amazing work!!

[BCR 570]

Test Run #2
With the remaining five cars now equipped with trucks and wheels, it was time to take all six for a test run, along with my two twin trailer flatcars which also reached completion today.

Backing up through yard trackage:




Ready to depart Chetwynd:




Crossing over the Highway 97 Overpass:




Climbing the helix:




Passing through Groundbirch:

Crossing the Kiskatinaw River:




After returning to Chetwynd from Dawson Creek, the cars were removed from the layout and posed for some final beauty shots before painting.  They are now packed up for tomorrow's trip to the paint shop.  I will post those photos tomorrow.


Tim

[sd45elect2000]

I'm happy I was able to participate in a small way to this stunning project !

Randy

[philippe.whyte]

Fantastic!  They look really great even before they have any paint on them.  These are really special cars.

[BCR 570]

Thank you all.

Final Assembly Photographs
I am often asked years later how I did or made something, so I wanted to record some final photographs before painting.  Once the paint hits the models the nuances of their construction will be less obvious, and with the passage of time I will be less able to remember the details.  I forgot to insert the air hoses before the photos, as they were removed and packaged to prevent their damage and loss.  And so here they are after several months of work:

PGE 9507 a Series 1 car with the original 'A' end ladder arrangement still intact (oblique view showing the 'A' end and left side)




PGE 9522 a Series 1 car with the vibrator plates added (oblique view showing the 'B' end and right side)




BCOL 9590 a Series 1 car rebuilt and repainted for BCR with low brake wheel and ladder mods (oblique view showing 'A' end and right side)




BCOL 9590 showing the lowered brake wheel and side ladder (oblique view showing 'B' end and right side)




PGE 9683 a Series 1 car with 'A' end ladder removed (oblique view showing 'A' end and right side)




PGE 9696 a Series 2 car showing low brake wheel and right side grab irons (oblique view showing 'B' end and right side)




PGE 9696 (oblique view showing the 'B' end and left side)




PGE 9702 a Series 2 car showing the different door (oblique view showing the 'A' end and left side)




Much of the fabrication work for these cars was in the underframes with tapered bolsters and cross-members, so here is an underside view:




And finally, a topside view of all six cars:




Tim

[craigolio1]

I just threw all of my trains in the garbage. Haha.

In all seriousness, I am truly stunned by your scratch building skills. One day I need to get out there for an ops night so I can see these in person.

Craig.

[BCR 570]

It would be fabulous to have you here for an ops night.  Just let me know when you are coming and I'll schedule one for you!

You can even bring the S-13s to run . . . 

Tim

[BCR 570]

Painting
The six chip cars are now painted.

PGE 9507 'A' end and left side view:




PGE 9522 underside view:




BCOL 9590 'B" end and left side view:




PGE 9696 'A' end and right side view:




Vallejo Rust was applied to the inside.  The PGE cars received Vallejo Black Red on the outside, and the BCOL car was painted with a custom mix of Vallejo paints:




The paint has adhered well to the styrene.  Following the paint, a gloss coat was applied in preparation for decals.  A sincere thank you to Jeff Briggs for the paint work.

My attention will now turn to installing the interior bracing, and then decals.


Tim

[joepri]

Tim, fantastic work.  The cars are just beautiful!