2014/05/14

Indianapolis Traction Terminal - towards printable 3D drawings


Postponed but not forgotten, the pharaonic project is on track again: this stone structures of the Indianapolis Traction Terminal are all redrawn ​​for 3D printing in H0 scale. The steel structure of the train sheet could be realized in etched brass or laser cut materials. 

But as in antiquity, it will take time...


2014/05/12

Instructions - Fort Wayne Lightweight Combine (FW&L, ISC, IRR, ORR)

Mounting instructions for the St.Louis build Interurban combines.

This instructions will be updated and illustrated, and later moved to my "models" page interurbanmodels.blogspot.com



Available Versions:
  1. Fort Wayne - Lima (available)
  2. Indiana Service Corporation (available)
  3. Indiana Railroad (coming very soon)
  4. Oklahoma Railroad (coming soon) 

The original Fort Wayne- Lima combine (left) was a two man car and run the baggage (B) end forward. The three other cars were one manned and run the passenger door (A) end in front (right on both photos).

Except this, all cars were very similar. On the model, the Bowser motor bogie is located on the B side for all versions. The main difference is the position of the pilot, on version 1 the pilot is located on end B, on version 2 to 4 on end A.

General considerations:

3D prints are not always totally exact to scale. I provided enough space, but if the body doesn't fit over the frame even with some light sanding, you must claim at Shapeways. Nearly all holes a provided on my parts, but not always have the good diameter when printed.

The Frosted Detail material of the body is fragile, be very careful when cleaning and handling. When you have broken a part, you can glue it with a drop of Cyanoacrylate. Don't be discouraged. Sometimes, I have replaced a broken part with styrene strips.

On the opposite, the Strong&Flexible plastic of the floor and the bogie frames is very resistant and dicfficult to cut or sand. If you have ordered the black floor, you don't need to paint this parts.

Tools:

  • Various cleaner (medical alcohol, acetone, toothpaste, soap)
  • Small screwdrivers
  • Small drills 0.3 to 2 mm
  • Fine sandpaper
  • Soldering iron with small head
  • Cutting knife
  • Glue (Cyanoacrylate)

Needed parts:

  • Bowser traction drive (28" or 26" wheels) or a Bowser PCC. The original car had 28" wheels when new. 
  • Working trolley pole (a plastic dummy pole is included in my floor kit).
  • Transparent plastic for glazing

Motorization:

I cannibalize Bowser PCC using the motor, the bogies and the circuit bord with his metal pins. The lights could perhaps be reused, but I have not yet tried out. I unsolder the lights and store them. The surplus PCC shells are also collected for further use. But you can also use a Bowser spare traction drive

Step 1/ Unmount the PCC drive, starting with the cable connectors. Mark the position of cables, if you are not sure how to remount them. Unscrew the motor truck bolster and the trailing truck. Unmounting the motor bogie requests to remove the wheel cover and the wheels. Unscrew the motor. Remove carefully the metal pins supporting the circuit board.

Step 2/ Remount the PCC drive (or mount the spare part drive), start by screwing the motor.

(to be followed)









2014/05/08

Fort Wayne - Lima Interurban lightweight Combine

The Fort Wayne - Lima lightweight combine stands beside his one-manned Indiana Service Corp cousin.

Both cars are motorized with Bowser drives.

The models are hand-painted, except the can sprayed primer coat.

2014/05/04

Indiana Service Corp. #323 Lightweight Combine

ISC #323

Indiana Service Corporation Combine #323-326, one manned. This is my interpretation of ISC colors, yet without striping and lettering.

2014/05/01

IHP Brill "Bullet"

I am not only building my own 3D models. This is a Brill Bullet from Imperial Hobby Productions IHP printed by Shapeways with a Bowser drive.

The color scheme is freelance, inspired by the special orange and cream livery of the first Bullet car for display at the 1931 Electric Railway Convention in Atlantic City.

The Commonwealth truck frames are for the photo session only, awaiting the Brill 89E trucks finished. Handrails and glazing will be added also.