A Railwire Group Project ACF Flexi-Flo?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

John over at Keystone Details called to touch base with me earlier this week. He wanted to know if I was happy with the PD hopper design (I am!) and we talked a bit about the kit. While it isn't really ready for prime time yet, the main reason was that I had ordered in NS instead of stainless steel. I plan on ordering a new batch in January for those who showed interest in the project. I may have John tweak one or two things on the pattern if I need to pay PPD for a new setup fee. The changes would be very minimal (mostly concerning the support posts for the always).

With this project out of the way, I am looking at doing two new projects with him in the future. One would be the Kawasaki BTC/CTC bi level cars on the MBTA. This would mostly be a personal project and I would be casting a master in resin and use a small etched fret for details.

The other idea is more about what you guys might want. But for this I would need some help. Are you guys interested in an ACF Flexi-Flo? I would need assistance from a few members. These would need to be printed rather than cast. So I would need someone familiar with printing cars on a photon or equivalent. Other portions of the project could be devided up such as I structions, packaging and ordering etched parts from PPD.

Anyone up for it?

[ednadolski]

I've been toying with the idea of doing perhaps some day doing a 4750 hopper, or a 73' centerbeam.   Mostly it's a matter of scratching up the needed proto info, drawings, and such.  But maybe those are too modern for most folks interests.... (?)

For etching it would probably want to be something made primarily of flat parts.   I'd think brass by default, without some other reason(s) to go stronger/thinner (or to start mixing metals).   Assembly would probably rather be CA than soldering.

Ed

[RockGp40]

Are you talking about the same car Trainworx did a couple years ago or something else?

[Philip H]

Are you talking about the same car Trainworx did a couple years ago or something else?

The Trainworx Car is the NACC version of the ACF concept.  The only ACF'ish cars ever done are the really old Roco/AHM/ESM ones http://www.spookshow.net/freight/ahmcenterflow.html.  Rapido has done this in HO I think . . . .

I have 3 of those oldies in various stages of disassembly for kitbashing so I better get them done so you will release this right as I finish those.

[bbussey]

Are you referring to the original 3500PD that Rapido just released an HO model of, or a later prototype?

Even with the 3500PD, there are three variations.  The vintage AHM model is based roughly on the first variation.

"Flexi Flo" was a New York Central trademark.  It wasn't an official ACF designation.  Penn Central and Conrail continued the use of the term and associated it with other hopper classes in addition to the 3500PDs.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Yeah these would be the ACF 3500s. The main difference in the phases was the lower hopper bracing. I think the first run rode on 125t trucks with 38" wheels and large roller bearings. The rest were 100t cars I believe. Since there is no availability of 125t trucks, the 2nd and 3rd phases would be easier to produce.

[C855B]

Is this what we're talking about?:

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Yep. I was originally looking at an upgrade kit for that model, but there are so many issues:
Basic dimensions are off, like 6-12" too wide.
This is a pressurized car... with trough hatches?
Bettendorf trucks =/= 125t roller bearing trucks.
It's nearly impossible to cut the lader from the end casting which needs to be done for an upgrade.

[bbussey]

Yeah these would be the ACF 3500s. The main difference in the phases was the lower hopper bracing. I think the first run rode on 125t trucks with 38" wheels and large roller bearings. The rest were 100t cars I believe. Since there is no availability of 125t trucks, the 2nd and 3rd phases would be easier to produce.

100t trucks on version 1 (with the vertical lower bracing), 125t trucks on the other two (horizontal bracing).  The roof hatches are slightly bigger on versions 2 and 3.  On versions 1 and 2, there are three welded sheets forming the side of the tank, on version 3 it's six (I believe).  Version 2 is the most common.
 
I think Kato makes 125t trucks with 38" wheels for one of its articulated well cars.  The trucks on the ends are 100t, the trucks at the articulated points are 125t.