Fluted Side Diners coming from Lowell Smith / Railsmith

[Sokramiketes]

Peteski's soaking method is what I've heard and used on some old buildings.  It would probably work pretty well, I just haven't tried it. 

[nkalanaga]

Mike:  Since you've used the "mask the windows" technique, I suspect that's what I'll have to do.  Glad to here it works!

As solidly as mine are glued, at least the ones I've looked at, I doubt that I could get a screwdriver under them.  I tried a knife blade, and it wouldn't go.  The builder ran a solid bead of glue, top and bottom, the length of the window casting.  It isn't just tacked in!

As for not gluing it, I checked my original Walthers Pullman cars.  No glue, the windows come out, and go in, as easily as Kato's.  So they, at least, weren't designed to need gluing.

[peteski]

As for not gluing it, I checked my original Walthers Pullman cars.  No glue, the windows come out, and go in, as easily as Kato's.  So they, at least, weren't designed to need gluing.

Then there is a chance that  Lowell will be able to instruct the factory not to use glue.  Sounds like they either don't understand the design, or use "belt and suspenders" assembly method.  It also sounds like the assembler of your car was very diligent in doing his job. 

[thomasjmdavis]

I thought for the freezer method you were supposed to soak the model in water so it gets into all the gaps. Then freezing expands water causing it to pry open the glue joints. At least that is the way the freezer method  is described by automotive modelers to remove windows (and other glued on parts) from model automobile bodies.  Being skeptical, I never tired it.

Peteski's soaking method is what I've heard and used on some old buildings.  It would probably work pretty well, I just haven't tried it.

I will yield to you two guys as the "senior faculty" around here.  I've been doing it for several years with no water soaking and frequently had good results.  But there have been times it failed- so I will try with the water soak next time.  Also, in my case, I have used it only to get "larger" (if anything in N scale can be "large") parts- like separating a roof from a carbody- not detail parts, where I can see the water soak as being much safer and more effective.

Thanks, I learn something new every day around here...

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  I can't fault the assembler, if they were instructed to glue the windows.  The entire car is put together very neatly.  If I didn't plan to repaint future models, I never would have taken the ones I have apart.  The factory did a nice job on these.

[peteski]

Peteski:  I can't fault the assembler, if they were instructed to glue the windows.  The entire car is put together very neatly.  If I didn't plan to repaint future models, I never would have taken the ones I have apart.  The factory did a nice job on these.

I wasn't faulting anyone David.
Unless they were specifically instructed to place a double bead of glue, that particular assembler was just extra fastidious.  Like with any assembly line job (or any job for that matter), some people do a better job than others, and some even go the extra mile to exceed expectations. Others just use barely enough glue to do the same task.

[nkalanaga]

Peteski:  I know, I was agreeing with you.  That's where not being able to see the speaker, or hear vocal tones, can make things difficult.

I can't fault him/her/they/it for doing what they were told, and they did the entire job very neatly.  Except that I want to remove the windows, I wouldn't have any complaints about the cars, or how they were put together.  That's why it took me so long to notice the glue!

Considering some recent topics about poor assembly on high priced models, Railsmith seems to have a very good factory, and probably good quality control.

[thomasjmdavis]

At one point, Lowell was suggesting that undecorated models might be made available for the cars he was having manufactured.  Has anyone purchased a Railsmith undec?  And if so, do those come with removable windows?

[CBQ Fan]

I have never seen any undecorated cars.

[nickelplate759]

At one point, Lowell was suggesting that undecorated models might be made available for the cars he was having manufactured.  Has anyone purchased a Railsmith undec?  And if so, do those come with removable windows?

Yes and yes.  The car was a 10-6 sleeper. However Lowell has not been getting undecs recently  (I asked).

[squirrelhunter]

I have never seen any undecorated cars.

I believe they did a run of undec baggage cars and coaches in both fluted and smooth side in the last few years. I don't think they made a ton of them.

[altohorn25]

https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-undecorated-baggage-fluted-side/

https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-undecorated-baggage-smooth-side/

https://lowellsmith.net/product/railsmith-undecorated-sleeper-smooth-side/

[CBQ Fan]

Yes, under N Scale and the Assorted is where he lists undecorated cars on his website.

[Nato]

        Just announced by Lowell, more road names on the Fluted  Side Diners, Rio Grande, Santa Fe, Southern, Rock Island, Golden State also Rio Grande Prospector and Royal Gorge trains, and Santa Fe Texas Chief and Grand Canyon train consists. Nate Goodman. (Nato).

[wcfn100]

        Just announced by Lowell, more road names on the Fluted  Side Diners, Rio Grande, Santa Fe, Southern, Rock Island, Golden State also Rio Grande Prospector and Royal Gorge trains, and Santa Fe Texas Chief and Grand Canyon train consists. Nate Goodman. (Nato).

I'd probably go in on the Royal Gorge if I knew the baggage cars would be ru-run.

Jason